SOUTHERN STRAITS RACE INFORMATION

March 29 - 31, 2024

We look forward to welcoming you to the 54th Annual Southern Straits Race in March 2024. 

2023 Southern Straits Video


NEWS

Thanks to everyone who came out for the March 5th Tech Talk and viewed it on Facebook Live. The presentation was recorded and can be viewed on our Southern Straits Facebook page in the featured posts section.

To access the slide deck, complete with live links to the reference materials discussed during the presentation, please click here for the Adobe PDF version.

Any questions about the content can be directed to [email protected]. We look forward to seeing everyone on the water in a few weeks’ time!

Remember to keep an eye on our Southern Straits Facebook page for updates on boat bios and forthcoming details about the Thursday evening preceding Straits, as well as for information about shoreside activities!



   Notice Board (Classic)   Notice Board (Inshore)



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  • News Archive
    • NEWS


      FEBRUARY  5, 2024 ---------------

      We’ve got an incredible tech talks coming up for everyone to participate in! Whether you are registered for Straits or not, plan to be registered or not, are a member of either club or not - you are all welcome to join!

      Tuesday, March 5th Straits Race Tech Talk – 7:00pm at West Vancouver Yacht Club
      Presented by Peter Salusbury (Race Chair), Rich Alban, Alex Smyth and Ryan Cutting (from 65 Red Roses II), Jennifer Ross. MORE INFORMATION

      • Introductions and review of 2024 race improvements (P. Salusbury)
      • Straits Race racing rules – Alternative Penaly, RRS Appendix TS and Appendix RV Reduced Visibility Racing Rules (R. Alban)
      • Crew preparation strategy (Alex Smyth)
      • Boat preparation strategy (Ryan Cutting)
      • ORC Weather Routing Scoring methodology (Ian Lloyd and/or Jennifer Ross)
      • 2010 Weather analysis & pre-race weather forecasting tips (P. Salusbury)
      • 2010 Lessons Learned and Wrap-up (R. Alban)



      JANUARY 1, 2024 ---------------
      Happy New Year Fellow Sailors!

      Registration is now officially open for the 54th Annual Southern Straits! The organizing committee is pleased to announce a number of improvements for competitors including:
      • Three new courses which all feature a return to a long-standing course mark in Straits Race history – White Islets.
      • ORC division now added to Medium Course for boats with CDL < 12.000.
      • Broadening of rating bands with PHRF 50 – 99 boats now eligible for Short Course.
      • Rationalized safety regulations which are better aligned with other B.C. Category 3 coastal races.
      • Replacement of mandatory pre-race safety inspections with optional safety consultations for first time entrants or any boat that would benefit from a safety review.
      • US Sailing Safety at Sea “Coastal” training certificates accepted for US registered boats.
      • Transition from SPOT trackers to an alternate yacht tracking application – more details to follow.
      • Shift to single Event Rules document to replace traditional Notice of Race & Sailing Instructions documents.
      • Simplified reporting at mark roundings using text messaging in lieu of voice calls.
      We look forward to welcoming sailors across the Pacific NW and B.C. for this classic Easter weekend event!

         Notice Board (Classic)   Notice Board (Inshore)

  • Moorage Information
    • Useful information for boats arriving prior to the Race:

      All visiting boats must vacate their slips by noon on Sunday to accommodate our mooring members returning to their home port. If anyone needs to stay longer, please let the moorage team know as we do have some slips that we can work with.

      The moorage team will be monitoring VHF 72 on Thursday for anyone requiring assistance.

      Useful information for boats arriving prior to the Race

      Moorage is provided at no charge for out of town participants and rafting may be required. It is required that moorage be requested at time of race registration with an ETA and vessel size. 

      For boats over 50' LOA, we recommend you moor at ROYAL VANCOUVER YACHT CLUB (604-224-1344) or the VANCOUVER ROWING CLUB (604-687-3400). Please call them directly to arrange moorage.

      No customs personnel will be present at the WVYC Clubhouse, however Customs can be cleared via the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club’s main “dinner dock” at their Jericho facility.

      We are located at 49 21'26 N and 123 16'16W, which is in well protected Fisherman's Cove in West Vancouver. Use the link at the bottom of this page to access a map showing the location of the WVYC, recommended route into Fisherman's Cove and information about amenities in the area.  CLICK HERE FOR A DOCK MAP

      Prior to your arrival, confirmation of moorage and slip assignments will be posted under this section (Moorage Information). Slip assignments will be issued Wednesday, March 27, 2024.

      Once you are tied up in your slip, please head up to the Main Clubhouse to sign in and get your temporary access code to the docks. Our reception is open from 09:00 to 17:00 hours seven days a week. We do have a watchman on duty 24 hours a day.

      Guests are advised to carry 'Proof of Vessel Insurance' aboard their vessel. 

      Dockside facilities and services include 15 and 30 amp power, water, showers, restrooms, ice, telephones and parking. 

      Click for Map and Amenities in the Vicinity

  • Tech Talks
    • Feb. 27th Straits Race Tech Talk – 7:00pm at Vancouver Rowing Club“So, You Want to do Straits Race” presented by Jennifer Ross (Principal Race Officer) and Erik Sjogren:
      • What’s new about the event
      • Boat and crew preparation
      • Weather and sea conditions
      • Safety requirements

      March 5th Straits Race Tech Talk – 7:00pm at West Vancouver Yacht Club – presented by Peter Salusbury (Race Chair), Rich Alban, Alex Smyth and Ryan Cutting from 65 Red Roses, Ian Lloyd, Jennifer Ross (PRO):
      • Introductions and review of 2024 race improvements (P. Salusbury)
      • Straits Race racing rules – Alternative Penalty, RRS Appendix TS and Appendix RV – Reduced Visibility Racing Rules (R. Alban)
      • Crew preparation strategy (Alex Smyth)
      • Boat preparation strategy (Ryan Cutting)
      • ORC Weather Routing Scoring methodology (Ian Lloyd and/or Jennifer Ross)
      • 2010 Weather analysis & pre-race weather forecasting tips (P. Salusbury)
      • 2010 Lessons Learned and Wrap-up (R. Alban)

      Link to 2023 Weather, Tactics, Rules and Safety Presentation By Peter Salusbury and Rich Alban

  • Pre-Race Safety Consultations
    • To sign-up for a Pre-Race Safety Consultation, please email us at [email protected] and provide your full name, your yachts name, which race, your telephone number, email address, and a preferred time and location for the inspection, along with your slip number. If you're scheduling a consultation at one of the visitor docks at VRC, RVYC or WVYC, please indicate that too. Thank you.

  • Coastal Personal Survival Course (Safety at Sea)
    • BC Sailing update on Safety at Sea classes in March and April: 

      BC Sailing has added one class to the schedule for the 2 day Offshore Personal Survival Course. Dates and location:  Friday-Saturday April 5-6, 2024 at the Royal Victoria Yacht Club – space available! This will be the last Offshore class offered by BC Sailing before late Fall 2024.  Click here for complete Offshore Personal Survival Course information and online registration links. General registration opens Friday March 8 at 7 am Pacific time. 

      BC Sailing also has space available in some of the four upcoming classes for the 1 day Coastal Personal Survival Course. Dates and locations are listed below. Click here for complete Coastal Personal Survival Course information and online registration links. General registration is open now.

      Saturday March 16, 2024 at the West Vancouver Yacht Club – presently full
      Sunday March 17, 2024 at the West Vancouver Yacht Club – space available!
      Saturday March 23, 2024 at the Sidney North Saanich Yacht Club – presently full
      Sunday March 24, 2024 at the Royal Victoria Yacht Club – space available!

      Not sure which Safety at Sea course to take? 1 day Coastal or 2 day Offshore?

      Check your event Notice of Race, well in advance, for event-specific training requirements and recommendations.

      The Coastal Personal Survival Course is a 1 day course for experienced sailors who are participating in coastal and offshore races and passages, typically Offshore Special Regulations categories 3-4, such as Southern Straits Race, Patos Island Race, Swiftsure Race and Cascadian Convoy. The coastal course includes classroom and practical sessions. Topics covered include safety culture, personal safety equipment, crew overboard, emergency signals, search & rescue, weather & heavy weather, hypothermia & cold water immersion. Practical, hands-on sessions include PFD checks and COB recovery from the water (dockside). The course is Sail Canada Approved. Participants who successfully complete the course receive a Coastal Personal Survival Course certificate, valid for five years.

      The Offshore Personal Survival Course is a 2 day course for experienced sailors who are participating in offshore and oceanic races and passages, typically Offshore Special Regulations categories 0-1-2, such as Vic-Maui and Van Isle 360. The offshore course includes classroom and practical sessions. Topics covered include safety culture, personal safety equipment, crew overboard, emergency communications & signals, search & rescue, weather forecasts, heavy weather & storm sails, damage control & fire, hypothermia & cold water immersion. Practical, hands-on sessions include using lifejackets and life rafts in a pool environment; damage control; emergency signals. The course is Sail Canada - World Sailing Approved. Participants who successfully complete the course receive an Offshore Personal Survival Course certificate, valid for five years.



      The Southern Straits Race and West Vancouver Yacht Club are pleased to confirm that we will be hosting the Coastal Personal Survival Course at the Club on Saturday March 16 (Full) and Sunday, March 17, (New!), 2024. For people coming from Vancouver Island, there is also a class at the Sidney North Saanich Yacht Club on Saturday March 23 (Full) and at Royal Victoria Yacht Club on Sunday March 24 (New!), 2024. Complete information on this course, including the online registration links, is available at Coastal Personal Survival Course. Registration is now open. Space is limited and early registration is recommended.

      Coastal Personal Survival Course topics include a review of required safety equipment, preparing heavy weather sails, obtaining and interpreting local weather forecasts, hypothermia and cold water immersion, man overboard, emergency signals and communications. The course includes classroom and practical sessions.
  • Shore Side Festivities
    • The centre of our Race Day Shore Based Festivities is at the 25th Street Pier in West Vancouver, just off the Start Line.

      Now offering four different course length options, "Straits" provides a weekend of sailing to suit every experience. This year we are running this historic race and we are expecting over 80 boats (that’s over 800 sailors) to be on the Start Line jostling for position. Bring your camera!

      Join us for a family friendly festival-type atmosphere that offers those on the shore the opportunity to view the competitors up close as boats come within 50 feet of the Pier. Typically a crowd of several hundred people gather to see the Fleet off in conjunction with

      • Lions Pancake Breakfast
      • West Vancouver Pops Band
      • Coffee (TBD)
      • Sponsor displays
      • Easter Bunny handing out chocolate to kids

      Activities start on Friday, March 29th, 2024 at 9:00 AM. We look forward to seeing you there!

  • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Here are a number of items of information that you may find useful. This page is being added to regularly: come back and see what is new.

      What do I need to do to be ready for Southern Straits?
      Required safety equipment

      For the event, all boats registered for the Long, Medium & Short Courses must comply with the current:

      • World Sailing Offshore Special Regulations Category 3 (Monohulls) 

      All boats competing on the Inshore course must comply with:

      • World Sailing Offshore Special Regulations  (OSR) category 4 (Monohulls)

      Full details are provided in the Notice of Race.

      Crew Experience

      Southern Straits can provide a variety of different conditions. It is strongly recommended that at least half the crew have overnight racing experience and have extensive experience as a crew in all aspects of seamanship and navigation.

      Safety Training

      Not fewer than two members of the crew shall have attended a half-day, one-day or two-day Safety at Sea Seminar within the last 5 years.

      A Safety at Sea one-day seminar will be offered at WVYC.

      See the Coastal Personal Survivor Course (Safety at Sea) Tab for session dates, locations and registration.


      What mooring options are provided for out of town participants in the Regatta?

      WVYC will provide moorage for this event at no cost in the Fisherman's Cove Basin. It is required that crew delivering prior to the event contact WVYC to provide approximate arrival times and vessel details. Slip assignments will be communicated prior to arrival.  Please note that moorage is assigned on a first come first served basis and rafting may be required. Visiting boats are required to vacate their assigned slip no later than noon on the Sunday immediately following the race.

      Please click here for amenities in the area and a map of the WVYC and its environs.

      We recommend that boats over fifty feet or with deep draft requirements request moorage at the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club (Phone 604-224-1344) or at the Vancouver Rowing Club (Phone 604-687-3400).


      What Canadian Customs facilities would you recommend we use if needed?
      • No customs personnel will be present at the WVYC Clubhouse. However Customs can be cleared via the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club’s main “dinner dock” at their Jericho facility.
      • An additional Customs dock is located at the False Creek Government dock (Fisherman's Pier)
      • Canada Customs can be reached by calling 1-800-461-9999 or (604) 666-0545

      Can I get some information about the "Safety at Sea?" training?

      The BC Sailing Offshore Personal Survival Course (Safety at Sea - Sea Survival) is for experienced sailors who are participating in distance and offshore races and passages. The course includes classroom and practical sessions.

      Topics covered include safety equipment, storm sails, weather forecasts, heavy weather, man overboard, emergency signals and communications. Practical sessions include inflating and using life jackets, life rafts and other safety equipment in a pool environment. The course is Sail Canada-ISAF approved. Participants who successfully complete the course receive BC Sailing Offshore Personal Survival Course certificate, valid for five years.

      BC Sailing / WVYC and US Sailing / The Sailing Foundation offer Safety at Sea courses. Click here for schedules of upcoming sessions


      Do you have Crew Bank or Crew Wanted information?

      If Southern Straits is on your “bucket list” but you need Crew or are looking for a ride, there is a Straits Crew Bank/Crew Wanted list ready to help make this happen!

      Use the menu on the right to access the Crew Bank or Crew Wanted lists and to find instructions as to how to add postings on these.


      Can my friends and family follow the race?

      Everyone is welcome on Race Day at the Dundarave Pier in West Vancouver for a family fun event to view the start of the Race. Click here for a listing of Festivities.

      In addition, Southern Straits Classic will once again be using  Tracker technology to follow the racers throughout the event. A live feed of the race will be accessible beginning the day of the race.

      See the link on the top of this page "Race Tracking & Results"


      Does WVYC’s Southern Straits Classic serve as a qualifying race?

      Southern Straits Classic is a proud qualifying race for both the Vic-Maui and Van Isle 360.

      For more information, visit www.vicmaui.org or www.vanilse360.com


      I am not racing but would love to get involved. What can I do?

      Each year the Race Organizers rely on a team of  hard-working Volunteers to run a successful weekend of racing.  There are lots of ways to help out and you don’t need to be a sailor to be part of the Straits team.

      Southern Straits 2023 will run from Thursday, April 6th to 00:30 Sunday April 9th, 2023. All Volunteers must attend a prior orientation session and may be required to attend additional training sessions as deemed required by the various Committee Chairs.

      Click here for information on how to get involved.


      How do I get information about Boat Prep, Crew Safety etc.?

      The West Vancouver Yacht Club is pleased to present a series of “Tech Talk’s” leading up to the race. Presentations cover a wide variety of topics suitable for both first-time and veteran Straits participants.

      For a listing of upcoming Tech Talk topics and times, see the link on the right side of this page "Milestones and Actions"

      In addition, check out our Useful Links Page to the right which includes a series of archived Tech Talk sessions that you might find useful.

  • Photos
  • Previous Years' Results
  • Useful Links
  • Event History
    • It all began in 1969!!

      On January 22, 1969, the West Vancouver Yacht Club circulated the following bulletin:

      “In an effort to develop a major middle-distance yachting fixture in the Strait of Georgia for Category I and II boats, the West Vancouver Yacht Club is sponsoring the Southern Strait of Georgia Race on Easter weekend. Covering a distance of 120 miles with three turning marks, the race will start at 11:00 hours on Friday, April 4th at the Point Grey Bellbuoy. First mark is Entrance Island, second is a lighted buoy 1½ miles south of Pt. Roberts and third mark is White Islets. All marks to Port. The race will finish at Passage Island. The course will be patrolled in daylight by members of the Seabee Flying Club. Owners or charterers of participating yachts must be members of recognized yacht clubs, and all entrants must have valid CCA certificates. For further information, contact race committee chair Jack Pinch or Gerry Kidd.”


      Learn More
  • Last Known Yacht Position
    • Long Course

      Yacht Georgia Strait ODAS Halibut Bank  Sisters Islets  Entrance Island
      (inc. Pe & Po) 
      Point Atkinson (Finish) 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 


      Medium Course

      Yacht Georgia Strait ODAS   Halibut Bank  Entrance Island
      (inc. Pe & Po)
      Point Atkinson (Finish) 
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               

      Short Course

       Yacht  Georgia Strait ODAS English Bay ODAS  Point Atkinson 
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             

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