DC Sail Parent/Sailor Handbook: Please click here

What Do I Need?

How Do Regattas Work?

Our sailors compete within the MDISA (Maryland Interscholastic Sailing Association League) division of ISSA. All sailors from DMV-area schools compete within MDISA. Sailors who have at least four teammates at their school will sail under their school's name at events. All other sailors will compete on the DC Combo composite team. DC Combo sailors are not eligible to compete at events outside of MDISA; this includes season-end qualifier events that move on to the regional and national level. However, they can participate in all local events, which make up the majority of the calendar.

The regatta calendar will be shared at the beginning of the season, once finalized. Sailors should plan to attend all events unless notified otherwise. Sailors will receive notice during the week prior to events if they will be on the roster for an event. Sailors can expect to be invited to at least two regattas per season, so long as they are following all expectations outlined in the Handbook.

At regattas, high school sailing closely parallels the collegiate sailing format. For fleet racing, teams are divided into A and B divisions, with different skippers and crews in each division. Teams may substitute sailors as long as prescribed substitution rules are followed. Short courses - average of 18 minutes or so - are used, typically windward-leeward with a gate. Except in rare cases, only one fleet (A or B) is on the water at a time. After two races are completed, divisions switch, and the boat being sailed by each team is rotated. This allows for coaching and a break. Boat rotation eliminates the possibility of any team having an advantage because of an inherently faster boat.

Schools also may participate in team racing events, where each school fields three boats to sail against three boats from another team. In team racing, teammates work together to outmaneuver the other team so that their combined race scores are better than the other team’s combined scores.

How Do I and My Parents Get Updates about What's Going On?

Emails will periodically be sent out as needed. Follow all email instructions to be added to the correct notification channels. Coaches will also provide updates at each practice, which sailors should note in their calendar.

What Does It Stand For?

MDISA: Maryland Interscholastic Sailing Association, local-level events

MASSA: Mid-Atlantic Scholastic Sailing Association, regional-level events

ISSA: Interscholastic Sailing Association, national-level events

Which is preferable for sailing, a wet suit or a dry suit? (Spring Season)

There are three options for cold weather sailing. The first and most expensive option is a drysuit. This, by design, completely covers the body including the feet and keeps the sailor dry at all times (unless there is a fault in the seals or zipper). Prices for these for junior sailors run from $300 and up. The best versions are gore-tex and are between $500 and $1500. The second option is a new item on the market that a few manufacturers are offering: wet/dry suits. These look like traditional wetsuits but have a "hydrophobic" outer layer that prevents the sailor from getting wet. The final option is a conventional wetsuit. These, of course, do not keep the sailor dry, but trap water in the neoprene layer and preserve body heat by preventing water and heat transfer. Wetsuits that are called "spring" suits are less than 3 mm thick and are rated for temperatures 60 degrees and above. It is suggested that you avoid a spring suit unless another layer is worn on top of the wet suit. It is very common for kids to wear a wetsuit underneath a waterproof layer. For dinghy sailing it is recommended that this consists of a salopette or bib (waterproof coveralls very like those marketed for skiing) or waterproof pants, and a dinghy smock. Dinghy smocks are worn by sailors and a nearly identical garment is worn by whitewater kayakers. The benefit of this is that when temperatures get warmer the sailor can ditch the wetsuit and just wear the smock and bib/waterproof pants. As per US Sailing guidelines, we require either a wetsuit or a drysuit in order to sail when the combined air and water temperature is below 120 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Are there stores in the DC area that sell the suits?

In the DC area, there are a few kayaking outfitters that carry this gear. Potomac Paddle Sports, Hudson Trail Outfitters and REI all carry gear for kayaking that can be used for sailing as well. The only sailing specific store that carries some of this gear in the DC area is West Marine in Alexandria.

Some other sites where very good deals can be found are Layline, www.layline.com, Intensity Sails, www.intensitysails.com, Mauri Pro Sailing, www.mauriprosailing.com, and Defender marine outfitters, www.defender.com. There are other sites, but the ones provided here have very good reputations.

Two English sites have become popular recently, Trident UK, http://www.tridentuk.com/, has very good products for good prices. You might have to pay customs on Trident's gear. One of our former team captains who sails for the University of Edinborough highly recommends the TR-60 suit. The other site, Crewsaver, http://www.crewsaver.co.uk/, has gotten a high review from one of our adult racers. He found a great deal on his drysuit there. These two sites seem to have the best prices for drysuits even after paying importing fees.

Is there a particular brand that you recommend?

Please click here for an overview of Suggested Gear Resource Document "Sailing Clothing Brands" 

As for specific brands, that's a little more complicated. For sailing specific wetsuits, Zhik, Ronstan and Rooster get very good reviews. For non-sailing specific brands, the surfing gear companies like O'Neill and Body Glove are common.

For sailing specific drysuits, smocks and bibs, the top of the line drysuits are made by Musto and Kokatat. Kokatat products are available at the kayaking outfitters listed above. However, they are both very expensive. Just below that level are Henri Lloyd, Helly Hansen and Gill, all of which are much less expensive and with very good quality gear. Gill puts out the most complete line of junior sailing gear and you will see a lot of gill drytops (smocks) at junior sailing events. All three of these can be found at the sailing stores listed above. There have been some really good deals on junior's smocks.

If you catch a sale, a smock will run around $75, a bib can be anywhere from $75 if you are very lucky, up to around $175 (much more for adults). A wetsuit will run around $100 and up for a 3 mm suit. Spring suits will fall in the $75 and up range unless you find a great deal.

What about shoes, boots, and gloves?

In addition to the above, you should invest in good winter sailing gloves. Atlas puts out a very inexpensive product that is becoming very popular among sailors. Their gloves start at around $15. In addition, a pair of dinghy boots are strongly recommended. If wearing a drysuit, you can wear skiing socks inside them to keep the feet warm. If wearing a wetsuit, some companies sell neoprene booties, but a pair of waterproof socks layered over wool socks and inside dinghy boots is the most common combination.

Please Click Here for Resource Document for Preparation - Cold Weather Sailing