The raid will feature:
- 7 days of racing
- 12 legs
- 110 mile course
- Jan Van Gent from The Arctic Circle will be our mothership
- Patagonia outdoor clothing as a sponsor supplying some great prizes for the racers!
Eligibility requires:
- A boat no smaller than 12ft, or no larger than what can legally be transported on a highway.
- Complete application with deposit must be received no later than June 20th, with full amount due by July 20th.
- Be a member of the TSCA (there is now a B.C. Chapter) — https://tsca.net/join/
- If under 18, have signed permission from their parents.
- all boats will carry the safety gear required under Canadian maritime law.
Courses and classes:
As the whole fleet can only move as fast as the slowest boats, an effort has been made to keep course lengths to that which can be done by slowest of our group. While many small boat sailors prefer to just meander about, taking in the sights, others prefer to fly at blinding speed. In an effort to appeal to as many of the Small boat types as is practical, this event will have classes. Also, in an effort to balance the spectrum of small boat types, some legs will be sailing only, while others will be rowing/pedalling only, and most will be whatever combination you prefer.
Racing class:
This will be a hard fought, bitterly contested, no holds barred, battle for supremacy. To maintain this level of focus, racers will want light, empty boats, and minimal equipment. That is why our motherships will be here. To feed us, and relieve us of that burden of gear. The ultimate glory of this adventure will belong to those of the racing class.
Cruising class:
This will be the best time out sailing and camping with your friends. Ever. Be totally self sufficient. Fill your boat with all the favourite, non-perishable, food items that you usually bring on every week long sailing trip. Laugh at the antics of the racers, battling for every fraction of a knot of boat speed. Enjoy the spectacle, while basking in the glow of your own, self-reliant, non-competitive accomplishments.
The long course:
This course will be for an elite few, who find the modest course distances outlined to be an insufficient challenge, and wish to demonstrate their superior speed by sailing circles around the fleet. Literally. Upon reaching a predetermined waypoint, long course challengers will then double back and round the race boat at the back of the fleet, before continuing on to the finish. This will promote safety, by keeping the fastest boats in touch with the slowest, and will add entertainment value for those in the back of the fleet, giving them a chance to see what the fast boats look like under sail. Those who achieve victory in the long course will receive their own even-faster-than-the-regular-racers trophy.
Getting there and away
Our race will conclude at the Shark Spit 32nd annual Full Moon Regatta. Racers with tight schedules (what are the chances of that?) can then proceed on their own from here to the haul out ramp at Oyster Bay, 13 nm. Or, they can get a tow there, or sail, and meet the shuttle bus on the 27th that will return skippers to their waiting trucks and trailers at the point of departure, French Creek. From there it is about 1-hour drive to return to your waiting boats and crews.
Costs
A 50% deposit is required upon registration, with the balance being due by June 20th
Payment may be made by etransfer or PayPal to barefootwoodenboats@shaw.ca
If paying by PayPal, please add 4% for service fees.
Payment can also be made by check to Barefoot Wooden Boats, and can be mailed to 2925 North rd, Gabriola Island, B.C. V0R1X7
What you will need :
Besides your winning attitude, there are a few things you will need to bring with you on the Raid. Some, are required under Canadian Maritime law. Others are just things you should never go to sea without, and are required under Raid law.
The following is a list of things you MUST bring:
- Life jacket for each person on your boat
- 50’ buoyant heaving line
- Noise making device
- Flares
- Compass
- VHF radio
- Paper Charts of all the area travelled on the Raid.
- Anchor sufficient to hold your boat in strong winds, 20’ chain, and 200’ anchor rode. (minimum)
- Three, 20’ lines for mooring boat.
- GPS device (e.g. handheld GPS, Navionics on a smart phone, in a waterproof case…)
- Spare batteries and charge cords for devices
- Knife
- Headlamp
- Fire (lighter, matches…)
- Personal cutlery kit (plate, bowl, cup, knife, spoon, fork…)
- Sleeping gear
- Shelter (tent, tarp…)
- Waterproof bag with a dry change of warm clothes
- Spare oar or paddle
- 4 good fenders.
- Basic first aid kit
These are some things you might want:
- 300’ or more, of line, with pulleys sufficient to rig a clothesline mooring system
- Sleeping pad
- Beach chair
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Lip chap
- Basic spares kit
- Dry bags for everything
- Blankey……….