Skippers’ Meeting Kicks Off RBSA 2023 Sailing Season

The Round Bay Sailing Association, or RBSA, kicked off with the first Wednesday night race of the season on April 19.

On April 15, skippers and crew met to discuss changes for this year. Many skippers — both seasoned and beginners — and crew were in attendance for what felt like opening day. Races will continue each Wednesday through September 27. More than 20 boats have signed up to race this season.

Race mark volunteers have been busy during the offseason and have replaced and moved the marks to deeper water. New mark locations will help skippers avoid unintentional grounding in low tides. Start times have also changed. Each of the three fleets will start earlier this year to accommodate requests for longer races.

As part of meeting skippers’ requests for longer races on Wednesday nights, the race committee chair and members have worked hard this year to develop race courses that permit longer time and distance racing. For each series of six races, skippers can choose which courses they intend to run, either standard or long courses.

Skippers left the meeting with a laminated cue card for both long and standard courses to carry on board. Then, the on-water race committee merely needs to post the course designation and use the starting sequence that has been used for the last few years.

The handicapping system for long-course racers is also new this year. Boats racing the long course will use the PHRF (performance handicap racing fleet) handicap, time on time. Boats in the Chesapeake fleet and those racing the standard course will continue to use the ORR-EZ (offshore racing rule — simplified measurement) handicapping system. All skippers were requested to use the free race software, as a tool to help the crew of each boat monitor their courses and performance.

To top off a full meeting agenda, RBSA members discussed special race events and socials, such as Friday evening fun races, pizza socials and racing/cruising events. Severn River Association memberships were encouraged for all skippers and crew and the Round Bay club agreed to donate to this organization that helps protect the river. Finally, skippers elected a new slate of board members, including commodore, to implement changes and provide leadership for the 2023 sailing season.

See you on Round Bay! For more information, visit www.roundbaysailing.com.