Who can be on the RRHS Sailing Team?

Any Rocky River student in grade 7-12, whether an experienced sailor OR new to sailing. 

Seasons

We sail in both Fall and Spring.   If you’re new to sailing, it’s best to start in Fall when the water is warmer! You can sail Fall, Spring or both seasons.

  • Fall: Late-August through October at The Station
  • Winter: Conditioning and Chalk Talks at The Foundry (Typically M-F 4-6pm)
  • Spring: Mid-March through May at The Station

Equipment

The absolute bare minimum amount of equipment is a lifejacket, some sneakers and a helmet. Detailed information is available here.

Practices

3 days a week, 4-7pm at The Station

  • Fall 2021 – practice is in 420s each Monday, Tuesday, Thursday

Regattas

What is a Regatta? 

    • A regatta is a series of races – usually 1 day but sometimes over 2 days. 
    • The minimum number of races in a regatta is 3; however a typical regatta has approximately 6-8, sometimes more if weather is cooperating. 
    • A regatta is sailed in two divisions, “A division” and “B division”, of up to 18 boats. The A division will sail 2 races (a set), then come in and the B division will sail 2 races, come in and the A division will go back out and sail another set, etc.    

We compete approximately 6-7 weekends per season.  They are held on Saturdays and/or Sundays.

Where are the regattas?

    • The Foundry hosts several regattas each season
    • We also travel to Columbus, Detroit, and a few other areas during each season. If it’s a 2 day event, we usually stay overnight near the venue.  Expenses for out-of-town regattas are shared across the sailors attending (registration, hotel, food).

Scoring:

  • In sailing, low score wins.  First place receives 1 point, second place 2 points, etc. The team with the lowest combined score (across A&B divisions) wins the regatta.   

Tiers

A Tier 1/2 Regatta – sailors must be in high school and from 1 school

Tier 3 Regatta – sailors can be in grades 7-12 and teams can be mixed (i.e sailors from multiple schools can make up a team)

Boats

The most commonly sailed boats are two person boats called 420s, but there will be some offshore sailing (keel boats)  and single-handed sailing (e.g. Laser) available this year.

A 420 is sailed by a 2 person crew, which contains a ‘skipper’ who drives the boat and a ‘crew’).  A boat crew can be co-ed. (unless it’s a regatta specific to ‘Girls’).

Boats are provided by the host institution.  (We don’t have to trail our boats to every out-of-town regatta.  We are occasionally asked to bring a coach boat with us.)

The Station

The Foundry’s sailing center (The Station)  is located in the Historic Coast Guard Station on Whiskey Island. Transportation to/from practice is the responsibility of each sailor/family.  Some families may choose to arrange carpooling. 

Social

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @rrhssailing