Unsanctioned and Socially-Distanced

Unsanctioned, SOCIALLY-DISTANCED, AND SAFETY-FOCUSED

VICTORIA’S GRASSROOTS SINGLEHANDED AND FAMILY-ONLY SAILING SERIES

Around the globe, and certainly in our region, people have faced quarantine protocols for several months. In British Columbia, we have government guidelines, not laws, that determine suitable behavior during the pandemic. We are free to leave our homes, but must maintain social distancing (2-meter rule) while out and about.

Sailor that I am, it became evident to me that we could successfully singlehand our boats and maintain all guidelines. With this in mind, I made a suggestion to some of my more avid sailing friends: we should have a singlehanded race, aptly named, The Invitational Quarantine Singlehanded Race. The rules of the race included social distancing before, during, and after the race and were in the spirit of the guidelines established by both British Columbia’s government and public health officials, as well as the specific parameters in place at Royal Victoria Yacht Club (RVYC).

Though many of the participants, myself included, are affiliated with Royal Victoria Yacht Club, this racing series is not sanctioned by RVYC. We observe and respect RVYC’s guidelines, but this is a casual community opportunity, created and run

horns or flags. The course is sent online the day before the race. The race format is best described as reverse/pursuit.

All boats, regardless of rating or configuration, start at the same time, and follow a set outward course. When the first boat reaches the furthest mark, all boats turn simultaneously, retracing their course back to the start line. The inbound leg becomes a pursuit race. In a perfect world, the entire fleet should cross the finish line at the same time.

The first priority of this event is to ensure that what we are doing is safe and allowable. Clearing that bar, the focus is entirely on fun and the joy of being able to go sailing and (distantly) share the water with friends.

On our first day of the series, we ended up with about 25 boats coming out. Because singlehanded racing is uniquely demanding, the following week’s race restrictions were relaxed slightly and allowed skippers to bring crew, as long as all parties lived in a single household. The following week there were 35 boats on the start line. Thus, the Pandemic Race Series was born.

At RVYC, we have a fixed start line just off of our main docks, plus a series of permanent racing buoys sprinkled throughout our local shores. The races have a fixed GPS start time, but no

by Don Sargent

Photo by Andrew Madding.

48º NORTH by individuals looking for a venue to safely enjoy sailing and racing in a time of pandemic.

Boats of a wide range of sizes and designs race together. Photo by Andrew Madding.

In keeping with the fun-focus, we do not keep results; and protests are to only be heard when there is a Covid-19 vaccine available. A handful of other light-hearted rules are in place, too. For example, the Notice of Race indicates, “Each boat is required to bring wine, beer or spirits, and offer a drink to Neptune as you pass by. Spilling valuable alcohol overboard is the expected practice. This should guarantee a full year of safe boating.”

The official race documents also specifically welcomes even those who don’t wish to race to come sailing. We race every Sunday with first starts being at a very civilized noon. There are generally two races, about one hour apiece.

Specific instructions for social distancing are given for the event, beyond requiring shorthanded crews from a single household, including bringing their own food and water. The instructions even quote some BC’s Restart Guidelines, ensuring participants have and follow the best practices when they aren’t involved in the Pandemic Race Series.

Uncertainty remains about when more familiar racing formats will be deemed safe and prudent. Yet given the circumstances, this community is scratching the sailing itch in the safest possible ways in our local waters.