Where to start and how to prepare if you go to the regatta for the first time

What you want from the regatta

The first question you should ask yourself is why you want to go to the regatta. As we already said, regattas are different. The main thing that you should pay attention to when choosing the first race is the division into professional and amateur, the length of the route, and the distance from the coast. Of course, your first regatta will be amateur, you cannot join a professional team without experience, but then you are free to choose from the three options of regattas for beginners:

1. You can start with a training club race on small sports yachts, such as SB20, J70, or Fareast28, where you are guaranteed to have real physical activity and crazy drive. You will always think that the yacht is about to roll over, you’ll probably get wet, get tired, but you’ll be extremely happy about all of this. This option is especially convenient for those who live not far away from the coast, where there are yacht clubs. It can be not only by the sea but also, for example, on the banks of the Volga, on the reservoirs near Moscow and many large lakes. Add some sailing to your weekend — isn’t it a great idea? And if you like it, then it’s very easy to move on to more serious sports yachting, because you will quickly gain the necessary skills and experience in such regattas.
2.Charter amateur regattas on cruising yachts. The organizers of such races agree to rent a whole fleet of boats with similar characteristics (ideally the same models) from charter companies and provide these yachts to teams. In this case, the participation fee for the regatta includes both the organization fee and the rent of the yacht. Such regattas almost always last a week from Saturday to Saturday. This is due to the rules of charter companies: in most regions, you can rent a yacht from Saturday to Saturday.
During the regatta, a whole team lives on a yacht. A week does not mean that you will race seven days without a break. Usually, the first one or two days are for training, and on the remaining days, until Friday, the races take place within a few hours during the day. In the evening, there are some entertainment events. At such regattas, they are always important (some people just come for their sake), and the balance between sports and entertainment can shift in one way or another. Always find out beforehand what is planned for this particular regatta. Nevertheless, the excitement, drive, and adrenaline in such races are no less than in other types of regattas. The team for such a regatta can take an absolute beginner who goes sailing for the first time. If you love to race and have fun, this is the option for you.
3.Large route regattas for free classes of yachts. These, as a rule, are annual, often international events with races along the existing route, and can be of various lengths and difficulties: they can be only during daytime or non-stop, regardless of the time of day. Hundreds of yachts of different classes sometimes participate in such regattas: charter yachts, private yachts, club yachts. By and large, almost any team that has paid the registration fee can participate in such races. Boats are divided into divisions according to some criteria, and the results are counted using a special coefficient — handicap. The degree of professionalism of teams in such races is also very different, so you have a chance to participate even if you have only minimal experience, and immediately increase it significantly. Experience, impressions, and adrenaline are guaranteed. Even a few dozen yachts in a race are exciting, and what if there are hundreds of them? Entertainment events are also present at such regattas, but, as a rule, there are only opening and closing parties and the award ceremony. Nevertheless, you will have an excellent opportunity to fellowship with yachtsmen from different countries and make new, useful, and interesting acquaintances.

If you chose the first option, then your next steps are pretty obvious. Contact the nearest yacht club, and they will tell you what to do. If you go for the second or third options, then the next step is:

Decide on the direction and apply for a visa

Look at the calendar: if it’s spring, then it’s time to choose a place for the summer regatta if summer vacations are over, but you need to have some rest again — why not think about the regatta in warm places. The most popular destinations for summer regattas are Greece, Turkey, Montenegro, Croatia, the Balearic Islands of Spain, Italy, and the French Riviera. You can go to the Caribbean or the Canaries for the winter regatta. In addition, interesting races are held annually in Thailand. During the high season in the Mediterranean, a single week doesn’t pass by without some regatta.
If you don’t need a visa for some country or you already have one, then move on to the next step. If you need a visa, get it. If necessary, the organizers of the regatta, in many cases, can issue an invitation to apply for a visa.
If you have decided on the regatta you want to go, move on to the next step.

Find a team

This is not at all as difficult as it seems. Even if you are a beginner, a huge number of skippers take beginners to their teams. During the preparation and during the race itself, you will learn the basics of yachting, you will understand how to become a useful crew member, and what role on a yacht is most comfortable for you. Look through offers from skippers on our website and make a choice.

Ask questions

Have you chosen a regatta and a team? It’s time to talk to your future skipper. Fortunately, there are many convenient ways to communicate. Usually, a skipper creates a team chat in one of the messengers. So by the time you arrive at the regatta, it will seem to you that you have known both the skipper and your crew for a very long time.
What questions to ask? Ask what is included in the price and what expenses will need to be paid additionally. As a rule, food and transfer are paid separately, but there are exceptions, so find out about everything in advance. Find out what you will be taught on a yacht. You can say what you want to be trained in — most captains will accommodate your wishes. Be sure to ask if you need to have some preparation for participation or whether you can come as a complete newbie.

Get ready for the regatta

If you already went on sailing cruises, then you have an idea of what you may need on board, and that you don’t need to take a hard suitcase with you, but try to get along with a soft bag. In any case, you do not need to take lots of stuff. Firstly, even on a cruising yacht, there is little storage space. Secondly, you will have no time to change clothes — time flies quickly during regattas. You can read here about what things you need to take with you on a yacht. If you’re not sure whether you are susceptible to motion sickness, just in case, take pills, for example, «Dramina» or something similar.

Well, the bags are packed, the documents are checked, and the neighbor will look after your favorite cat. It’s time to go to your first regatta, which will certainly not be the last. We know this from our own experience!