OIYC SPRING REGATTA — NOTICE OF RACE

OIYC Spring Regatta 2026

The Orcas Island Yacht Club is pleased to invite you to our annual
OIYC Spring Regatta on Saturday & Sunday, April 4th–5th, 2026.

Rules
The rules defined in The Racing Rules of Sailing
This event is governed by the following:
    a) This Notice of Race and the Sailing Instructions
    b) PHRF-NW rules - A current PHRF certificate is required
    c) Class Rules for any one-design boat
[DP] RRS 40.1 applies. Each competitor shall wear a personal flotation device except briefly while changing or adjusting clothing or personal equipment.
The race committee may provide unofficial communication, which is communication not governed by the rules, at any time by hail or over radio on VHF channel 68. A request for redress may not be based on any aspect of unofficial communication, including content, timeliness, or failure to hear. This changes RRS 62.1(a).
Appendix T (Arbitration) is in effect.
Fleets
We are planning on a PHRF, J/70, and Martin 242 Class
Courses
Buoy racing and long-distance races will be held on West Sound. Temporary and permanent race marks may be used, though the race committee may also use islands, rocks, navigational buoys, or other objects for long-distance courses. A course sheet will be provided in the Sailing Instructions. The race location may be moved to another location in the vicinity if conditions require.
Schedule
  • FRIDAY NIGHT: A welcome event (and possible practice sail on West Sound) 5:30 PM. Bring your own beverages and snacks and enjoy the company.
  • SATURDAY Race Day: A mandatory skipper’s meeting (all are welcome to join) will be held at 9 AM at the OIYC picnic shelter. The first warning signal is scheduled for 10:30 AM.
  • SATURDAY NIGHT: Join the party at the OIYC picnic shelter for food, drinks, and music starting at 6 PM.
  • SUNDAY Race Day: First warning signal is scheduled for 10 AM. No signals will be made after 3 PM. An awards ceremony will be held immediately after racing at the OIYC picnic shelter.
Entry Fee
The entry fee is $60 and includes two days of racing, and a free beer keg Friday night. The Saturday night party will cost $20 per person for dinner and beer (if not a minor).
Moorage
Moorage is free at the OIYC docks. Rafting is required if there is overflow. Additional moorage will be available at West Sound Marina and Deer Harbor Marina.
Accommodations
If you’re visiting and need a place to stay Friday and Saturday night contact Ryan Forbes @ rjfski76@gmail.com and see what he can do for you.
Safety
Boats must meet the U.S. Sailing Safety Equipment Requirements for “Nearshore,” including: SER 3.8.3—each boat must have a VHF. Charts of the racing area are required to be on board.
Liability
Sailing is an activity that has an inherent risk of damage and injury. Competitors in this event are participating entirely at their own risk. See RRS 3, Decision to Race. The race organizers (Orcas Island Yacht Club, organizing authority, race committee, protest committee, sponsors, OIYC Board member, or any other organization or official) will not be responsible for damage to any boat or other property or the injury to any competitor, including death, sustained as a result of participation in this event. By participating in this event, each competitor agrees to release the race organizers from any and all liability associated with such competitor’s participation in this event to the fullest extent permitted by law.
Insurance
The owner must have third-party liability insurance for their boat, applicable for sailboat racing, having a minimum coverage of $500,000. If the owner is not on board, the policy must be valid for a non-owner person in charge.
Clean Regatta
Our clean regatta goals are:
  • Less waste: Reducing our reliance on landfills is one of our primary goals. We’ll reject unnecessary waste, replace disposable options with eco-friendly alternatives, reuse items instead of creating new ones each year, and recycle or compost much of what would otherwise end up in a landfill.
  • No discharge: None of us want to see rubbish floating in our oceans or washed up on our shores. Nor do we want the health of our marine ecosystems to suffer the effects of waste discharge from vessels. We have a no-discharge rule for all competitors to ensure we do not contribute to pollution in the San Juan Islands.
  • Emissions reduction: We’re exploring ways we can reduce our reliance on fossil fuels by minimizing vehicular travel and utilizing more efficient and less polluting options where possible.
  • Locally sourced: Not only will we minimize our carbon footprint, but we’ll also support our local community by prioritizing local suppliers of the products and services we need.
  • Education & engagement: The more people on board with our sustainability goals, the better. We aim to spread the word about our sustainability efforts, educate people about how they can help, and facilitate positive environmental change from everyone involved with our events so we can all work together towards a sustainable future.