About us
Who Are We?
Columbia Yacht Club's Race Committee is a volunteer organization that officiates and manages the many sailboat races we host over the year.
The RC is open to both members and non-members with any level of experience. It's a great opportunity to get out on the water, be a part of a team, and learn new skills.
What Does Race Committee Do?
Members of the RC set the starting line, check in boats as they arrive in the starting area, signal the start of the race with flags and horns, and record the finish times for each participant. There are several roles to fill for each event, suitable for a wide range of skills sets and experience levels.
Members of the RC set the starting line, check in boats as they arrive in the starting area, signal the start of the race with flags and horns, and record the finish times for each participant. There are several roles to fill for each event, suitable for a wide range of skills sets and experience levels.
Will I Receive Training?
Yes! COLYC will host an Introduction to Race Committee Class on Saturday, April 13th for those interested in joining. Our neighboring yacht clubs also invite us to attend their spring training events. Subscribe to our email list to receive notifications.
Most of your learning will take place on the water (on the job), mentored by a seasoned member of our Race Committee team.
Additionally, COLYC sponsors US Sailing Race Management certification courses for experienced RC members looking to hone their skills.
What is the Commitment?
COLYC hosts multiple weekend events from May through September, as well as a weekly Beer Can Series on Wednesday evenings (see schedule)
Weekend races typically begin at 8:30am (dock time) and you may be out on the water until late afternoon or (rarely) early evening. Beer Can races have a 5:15pm dock time and RC returns to the club between 9:00 and 10:00pm.
While we hope that most RC members participate regularly to develop their skills, there is no required minimum number of races to attend.
What Happens off the Water?
There are opportunities to serve on Race Committee without ever stepping foot on a boat, such as scoring and assisting with registration for large events.
For most, onshore activities include monthly meetings at the club as well as several social events over the year. RC members are also invited to attend awards parties following each race.
Questions?
Contact us at racecommittee@colyc.org