Why Race?
Beyond the obvious fun and challenge, learn about five of the life-enhancing benefits you can experience by racing with the Modern Sailing Racing Team in local yacht club races on San Francisco Bay.
1. Sailboat Racing Builds Sailing Skills Quickly
Modern's Sausalito and Berkeley Racing Clinics and Asymmetrical Spinnaker Clinics will quickly prepare you for racing action. With a USCG-licensed race coach aboard, you'll hone your skill base and learn advanced steering, sail trim, and spinnaker skills. Our more experienced racers are also happy to share their knowledge and help novice racers grow and learn. Sailing artfully in a wide variety of conditions, strong currents, changing winds, and heavy boat traffic will become second nature to you.
Also, If you've recently completed your ASA 103, Basic Coastal Cruising certification at Modern Sailing, the Racing Clinic counts as days earned towards your ASA 104, Bareboat Cruising 6 on-the-water days prerequisitie.
Our Racing Program emphasizes continuous learning, teamwork, safety, and fun. Frequent participation in races will help both you and your fellow racers have a blast fast-tracking your sailing skills.
After racing in at least three Tier 1 (drop-in) races, you will become eligible to join a Tier 2 Club Race Team. As a member of a Club Race Team committed to participating in a series of races, you'll get to know your role, your teammates, skipper, and boat, giving you and the team the opportunity to advance and excel in competitive racing. Tier 2 Club Race Teams are also the feeder program for our Tier 3 teams, giving our most dedicated racers the opportunity to compete in elite international competitions like the Rolex Big Boat Series.
2. Expand Your Circle of Sailing Friends
As a member of our team, you'll have the opportunity to sail with and meet many other Bay sailors both within and outside of Modern Sailing. We also gather with other teams at local yacht clubs after races for awards ceremonies, refreshment, laughs, and sharing sailing stories.
If you're a woman interested in learning and racing with other women sailors, our Wind & Women Program will connect you!
3. Improve Teamwork and Communication
Are you a boat owner or bareboat skipper? You'll learn strategies to help your crew work together safely and efficiently while having fun. These skills can also carry over to your personal and professional life.
4. Physical Health Benefits
Sailing, and especially sailboat racing, can be great full-body exercise. Handling lines, steering, and moving about the boat engages every muscle in your body. When racing, you'll need to move more quickly than you ordinarily would on a leisure sail. Even simply seated, your core works to maintain your balance as the boat skips along. Learn more about the health benefits of sailing with the Health Fitness Revolution article "Top 10 Health Benefits of Sailing." Race as often as you can to enjoy these benefits.
Worried about getting injuried? Truthfully, bumps and bruises are not uncommon, but most injuries are preventable. To learn more, read our helpful Member Resources article Common Sailing Injuries and How to Prevent Them.
5. Mental and Cognitive Benefits
All sailors know there's nothing like time on the water to clear and refresh the mind. You'll enjoy taking in some fresh air, beautiful scenery and an array of colorful race boats. Even in calm conditions, sailboat racing requires focus, invigorating the mind by giving it a break from mundane worries and everyday routine. Learn more about this benefit with the Discover Boating article "Your Brain on a Boat".
Racing in particular necessitates quick thinking and fast responses, which can help to maintain and sharpen mental acuity. The continuous learning that comes with racing also promotes neuroplasticity, keeping your brain flexible, able to more readily adapt and acquire new skills in other areas of your life.
Ready to race?
You can get started by joining our next Race Clinic!
Learn More about Modern's Racing Program - Clinics and Races Available in Sausalito and Berkeley
Article by Mary Elkins on March 5, 2020
Updated September 7, 2023
