When a regatta is organized, the notice of race allows you to learn about the rules, the eligibility and registration conditions and the courses defined by the organizing club, often in partnership with the French Sailing Federation (FFV). Some regattas, such as the Tour des Ports du Morbihan with a "rally-cruise" series, are thus accessible to all with a few prerequisites listed below.
The FFV license for each crew member
The FFV license required of all crew members allows them to benefit from an insurance policy that offers guarantees covering material and bodily damage caused or suffered. To obtain an annual FFVoile license, it is necessary to provide a medical certificate of no contraindication to the practice of sailing in competition. A temporary FFV license for the duration of the regatta is often offered by the race organization: you must register and pay the temporary license fee.
In order to be considered for the event, a boat must finally fulfill all entry requirements and pay all fees.
With or without his boat?
Even if you don't own your own boat, a crew exchange allows beginners or experienced sailors to participate in the sports races organized during the season. Crew exchanges exist in many yacht clubs, and you will often be offered a place on board. The principle is to put boat owners in contact with crew members of various levels, some wishing to discover sailing or racing, and others wanting to improve their knowledge and performance.
The knowledge of the crew to participate in a regatta
The skipper is able to assess the level and knowledge of the crew members in order to "make the boat work" in the best conditions of safety and performance, while respecting the race rules.
Beginners can also try their hand at regattas offering a "rally-cruise" type series in order to discover new sensations on the water. The spark of passion, as well as the osmosis created with the skipper and his crew, will trigger the desire to acquire new skills and progress.
The security armament
Each notice of race specifies the rules to be respected to participate. On the Tour des Ports du Morbihan, it is specified that " the chartered vessels must have the safety equipment provided for the coastal navigation zone of Division 240. "Division 240 is for vessels and boats less than 24 meters in length.
Translation for the uninitiated: the list of equipment checked in the "coastal" column must be on board the vessel.
Notion of the boat's gauge
In contrast to the one-design principle where all participants have the same boat, the amateur regatta is often an "inter-series" regatta. The concept of gauge therefore theoretically allows " to establish a fair ranking between yachts of different architectures participating in the same regatta ". Also called "rating", it allows to compensate the real time by a correction factor.
Without going into the complex details of calculating IRC / OSIRIS type ratings or certificates, you can contact the club organizing the regatta, as they are able to verify and confirm the rating of your boat. Specific booklets are available and used by the referees of the offshore races to do this.
The amateur regatta is accessible to all those who want to discover the sport of sailing, whether they own a sailboat or not. Adrenalin, love of the sea world, sharing of skills and learning are all sensations and values that give meaning to our lives.
