Volunteering in HYC
Race Committee
A great way to be involved with racing without actually racing is to volunteer to help out as part of the Race Committee. A Committee Boat team will usually consist of approx. five people. The Race Officer (RO), the Assistant RO (ARO), Timer and two Flaggers/Recorders. While the Race Officer has ultimate responsibility all roles are equally important. The course will usually be set by the RO & ARO, but all people are working from the time you get to the race area. The timer will be advising on how long to go to the start sequence with calls like “20 minutes to First Gun”, while the RO & ARO are checking the wind direction & strength and working on the course. The recorders may be checking the sail numbers off a list as they approach the race area. Once the starting sequence commences, it is full on concentration for everyone to ensure that everything is correct. Once the race has started, the timer should advise the RO of the length of time of each leg and a recorder will take note of this.
This might all sound like hard work, but it is a great way to see the racing up close at it really is a different side to the same sport and hugely helps you understand all that happens on a race course. Also, working as part of a small team can be hugely rewarding and, to be fair, there is usually a good bit of craic along the way, not to mention the ”Apres Sail” in the bar later!