Sailing - what we do.

The WCA is, first and foremost, unapologetically about sailing. We do not have a clubhouse and we primarily congregate in, on, or around yachts. The sailing year is divided up into two seasons on Windermere; the Summer and the Winter. The nature of the sailing is different in each season. Not everyone keeps their boats on the lake over the winter, so the season has a natural start when the boats go back in, usually in late March/early April.

The first race of the Summer Series is typically either the day of the Season Opener, or the following day.

It's a fun day's racing as boats are being shaken down and anything can happen results wise.

The Summer Series itself consists of a number of different series of races. We usually have a Pursuit Series, and a Signature Series (racing around the green cans). In 2020 we held a "Rabbit Series" using the RYA's Rabbit Start method.

Summer Series races are run under CYCA Ratings, and we're experimenting with a 'no spinnaker' allowance for pursuit races.

Season Opener

Our sailing year traditionally starts with the 'Season Opener' when the yachts which have over-wintered ashore return to the lake.

The season opener is an informal get together in a local pub/eatery (the last few have been in the Boathouse, before that in the Hole I'th Wall.

It's a chance to catch up after the winter and start planning a summer's sailing.

Regattas

We typically have a weekend Easter Regatta and several weekend Inter-Club Regattas as well.

These usually start late morning each day to accommodate two or three races if possible.

The 'Windermere Winter Series' is nearly as old as the Association itself, and we have a member who's sailed in nearly all of them!

Over the years the series has changed much as the types of yachts used on the lake have changed. A constant has been the desire to sail on Windermere over the winter - in conditions that can be as challenging anywhere - but which few other places can match for scenery.

Spinlock IRC GBR Inland Championships

In 2017 the Windermere Winter Series was approved by RORC Rating and the IRC as an official IRC Championship event - the Spinlock IRC GBR Inland Championship.


This attracts yachts from all over the country who either over-winter afloat or dry-sail from Ferry Nab or one of the marinas.


The standard is high, but the event is friendly and sporting. As we say, if you can win here, you can win anywhere!

One-Design Championships

Alongside the IRC competition we have introduced a one-design series for classes that want to race each other on Windermere. These are organised in collaboration with the respective Class Association, and can form one of the classes official competitions.

For example both the National Sonata Association and UK SB20 Associations have held inland championships with us.

What we sail ...

WCA members have a wide variety of yachts, from brand new cruisers to classic one designs. Of course owners love to talk about their beloved boats, and here we introduce an occasional series in which some of the owners introduce themselves and their boats.

  • I'm new to yacht racing. Where do I begin?

    Sailors seem to universally agree that the more boats participating in a race the better and are very welcoming to new boats and sailors. Everyone has experienced the combination of fear and adrenalin that accompanies the decision to start racing. Nobody wants to bash either their boat or yours!


    The WCA actively welcomes new participants. We run the Marina Series with the specific aim of providing a gentle format that is still a proper race. Some people worry about the start especially so for this series we offer two, the second being ideal while you build confidence. We also run a series of pursuit races. Pursuit races see the fleet all start at different times, with the fastest last, so they are a great way to build confidence.


    If you haven't raced before but are interested in trying your hand you'll find guidance in our "First Timer's Hints & Tips" guide.


    We also have a handy checklist of things to think about whether you're a beginner or an expert.


    Whatever your experience level, to enter you should read the Notice of Race (NoR) then submit a Series Entry Form. You will find links to all the documents you need on the Summer Series page.


    Have fun, stay safe, and we hope to see you on the water!

  • A brief Introduction to Handicaps & Ratings

    A good way to understand handicaps is to think about the case when they're not needed - if all the boats racing are identical.


    One Design Racing


    Things are most simple when boats race against other boats of the same design. The [Volvo] Ocean Race and Clipper Round The World Race are examples of one-design races - the links take you to the specifications for the boats racing. One Design classes specify rules that owners must conform to in order to race and the position you cross the finish line in is your result. Some class associations strictly control what's allowed, and others are a little more relaxed and allow some leeway.


    The wide variety of boats owned by WCA members, currently ranging from 19' to 45' with the average being 30', means that One-Design racing isn't an option apart from smaller sub-groups (e.g. Sonatas, SB20s, and even Beneteau First 21s.)


    Mixed-Fleet Racing


    Some system is required though to enable everyone to race together. Factors that need to be considered include: -


        Hull measurements: the hull speed of a displacement hull is directly related to its waterline length and boats with a longer waterline have a higher hull speed. Keel type. Rudder Type.

        Engine details.

        Sail measurements.

        Sail wardrobes; some boats fly spinnakers and others don't.

        Folding propellers.

        Furling versus non=furled. Furling systems v other furling systems.

        etc etc.


    The variations possible with just this set of mixed-fleet factors is huge. The range of systems for combining them to come up with a handicap or rating is huge as well. Some publish the formulae they use and others don't, and while they all share the aim of providing a basis for fair mixed-fleet racing they also share the characteristic that none are perfect. A corollary is the universal past-time of grumbling about handicaps. This is unlikely to change - the August 1904 edition of Yachtsman magazine apparently observed that “handicapping at its best is far from satisfactory and it is seldom that one does not find a grumbler”. There's an etiquette to grumbling - we ALL prefer the good-natured, well-humoured, sporting type to the other. Purgatory may well be full of sailors who didn't like their club's handicap system(s)!


    WCA races are scored using CYCA. We dual-score eligible boats under IRC. We only use NHC for WMV Marina Series entrants (WCA members are scored under CYCA). 


    Both CYCA and IRC are ratings rather than handicaps: your boat's rating is based on the its measurements and it doesn't therefore alter from race to race. The CYCA scheme and the "IRC Rating Rule" are designed to enable different designs of keelboats to race together and don't make any allowance for differences in crews' capability or experience.


    We understand that this can seem overwhelming at first, but you'll soon get used to it. In fact in no time at all you will have developed strong opinions about the rights and wrongs of the different schemes - arguing about grumbling about handicaps is after all an important part of social bonding in sail racing!

  • A brief Introduction to Protests & Protesting

    To Protest or Not to Protest?


    If you don't carry a red flag you can't protest so you may as well skip this - or better, make sure you have one! Sail racing is a self-policing sport and protests are important to its health - because they help people to understand the rules better and keep things fair for all.


    During a race, sometimes there are incidents on the water.  The WCA encourages competitors to use these incidents as learning points to improve understanding of the Rules.


    1. ‘Normal’ Incidents - Take your Penalty Turns on the Water


    If you find yourself in the wrong, or suspect that you may have broken one of the rules, then it’s best to promptly take a penalty on the water.  Either a single turn (Rule 31 touching a mark) or a two turns (rules of Part 2 in an incident while racing)


    [ISAF Rule 44]


    2. Serious Incidents – Retire and Protest


    If you are involved in an incident where there is either injury and/or serious damage, then you must retire.  This will then lead to a formal Protest.  See item 6 below.


    3. Incidents where you agree that you were in the wrong, but were unable to take turns on the water


    Here you agree to take an Exoneration Penalty.


    This applies to ISAF Rule of Part 2 (where boats meet), or ISAF Rule 31 (touching a mark) or 42 (Propulsion).


    Notify the race committee (the OOD or the Sailing Secretary) and state that you have broken one of the rules, and that you would like to accept a 20% scoring penalty.  This means that your place will go down by 20% of the number of starters, minimum 2 places.


    4. Incidents that you would like to discuss and learn from


    This is called an Advisory Hearing.


    Sometimes, following an incident on the water, it is not clear what has happened.  In this case, whilst no protests would have been raised, it would be beneficial to discuss what has happened and to learn from it.


    Notify the race committee (the OOD or the Sailing Secretary) and state that you would like to hold an Advisory Hearing.


    We will then call the parties together for a discussion as to what has happened, and provide advice on interpretation of the Rules.


    If, following the Advisory Hearing, you wish to take a penalty, then you can voluntarily take an Exoneration Penalty (20% scoring penalty).


    5. Incidents where you would like a formal ruling, but not a full-blown Protest Committee


    This is called RYA Arbritation.  It is not appropriate where there has been any injury or damage.


    Notify the race committee (the OOD or the Sailing Secretary) and state that you would like to RYA Arbritation.


    We will convene a formal hearing.  If the Hearing decides that a party should take an Exoneration Penalty, then it need not go to Protest, and any protesting boat can withdraw its protest.

    [ISAF Rules Part 5]


    6. Incidents where a Formal Protest is needed to Determine the Facts and come to a Formal Binding Decision


    This is called a Protest Hearing.


    This will be run iaw the guidelines provided in the ISAF Rules Appendix M.


    [ISAF Rules Part 5 and Appendix M]


    [NB: These are brief guidance notes.  The WCA SIs and World Sailing RRS take precedence]

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