Club Racing
Could you be the next Club champion?
Come Racing with Us!
At Northampton Sailing Club we have an active racing community that enjoys a year round racing calendar. Club racing is competitive and fun, always providing lots to discuss in the bar afterwards!
Once you’ve learnt the basics of sailing, club racing is a great way to enhance your skills by learning from more experienced sailors.
Sailing round a course that someone has laid out for you makes you practice your skills on all points of sailing, rather than just settling for an easy option or drifting around aimlessly. And seeing what the more experienced helms are doing (sail position, etc) while sailing the same course gives you a great opportunity to learn from them. A friendly but competitive racing environment allows you to focus on improving your skills and sailing more efficiently – you may also receive helpful tips on the water from other sailors during the race, such as: “Pull more kicker on!”
Sunday & Thursday Racing
We run several race series throughout the year (Frostbite, Spring, Early Summer, Late Summer, Autumn and Winter), as well as the Club championships. Races are either handicap or pursuit formats, so accommodate all types of boat and skill levels. All races are run by volunteer members with safety boat cover provided.
Sunday racing occurs all year round with up to four races held throughout the day. Racing starts at 11am. A lunch break is planned in with hot food available from the galley and the bar is open too.
From May to September we run a handicap race on Thursday evenings at 7pm with galley food and bar also available. Starting at the end of August, this becomes a three week mini-series on Tuesday and Thursday evenings to get your last fix in before the nights start drawing in.
At Northampton Sailing Club we offer racing for all levels of sailing ability. The club boasts some very talented racers who have won at National, European and World championships levels. Although the racing is competitive, our sailors are really keen to share knowledge and experience and are a friendly bunch, so all are made to feel welcome.
Racing Rules
As a beginner, it’s important to know the basic right of way rules on the water:
Boats on a Port tack give way to boats on a Starboard tack – if you’re on the right, you’re in the right!
Windward boats give way to Leeward boats – ie windward boat keep clear!
If you’re not sure who has right of way when rounding a mark, it may be better at first to give other boats plenty of room to allow them to go round the marks more closely.
Click the links below for NoR and SI’s for club racing.
Notice of Race for Club Racing 2025
Sailing Instructions for Club Racing 2025
Information for Race Officers
Checklists and further information for race officers is available here:
Race officer’s check-list: Handicap racing
Race officer’s check-list: Pursuit racing
Free Coaching
If it’s been a little while since you last raced or you just want to hone your skills, our coaching sessions on a Tuesday evening could be just the thing for you. Coaching sessions are free for club members. Adult coaching sessions are run by one of our top racers using video and coaching from a rib. Those new to racing have found this invaluable and for those more experienced, it has highlighted opportunities to improve. For our youth members we have the Pitsford Pirates also tearing up the lake on a Wednesday evening. Both sessions are loads of fun and a great way to get to know your fellow club members.
2025 Coaching for adults runs from 29 July – 9 September, 6.30pm – 8.00pm
Click here to book your place https://webcollect.org.uk/nsc/event/tuesday-night-adult-coaching-6-30pm
Next steps?
If you want to know more about racing at NSC, e.g. times, dates, race formats etc., or you are looking for a boat, helm or crew, please contact Sarah, our Commodore or come along to the club.
You can book a place on adults’ coaching sessions in 2025 here