What you need for a sailing race

A sailing race needs more than boats and a start line. You will need equipment for marking the course, communicating with crews, recording results and keeping everyone safe on the water. Plan the shore setup as well: tables, seating, waste bins, shelter and serving items are easy to overlook when attention is focused on the race. Use the full checklist to organise the start ship, rescue boat, signals, safety gear and race-day supplies before participants arrive.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Party tentsqty 3
Foldable tablesqty 8
Folding chairsqty 60
High tablesqty 4
Waste binsqty 6

Sports equipment

Sailboatsqty 12
Life jacketsqty 30
Competition buoysqty 8
Anchorsqty 8
Anchor linesqty 8
Start flagsqty 5
Finish flag
Bib numbersqty 20
Game clocksqty 2
Measuring tapesqty 2
Waterproof scoreboardsqty 2

Equipment

Start boat
Rescue boat
Outdoor walkie-talkiesqty 3
Walkie-talkiesqty 4
Megaphone
Extension cordsqty 3
Battery chargersqty 4
Weather gauge

Lighting

LED lampsqty 8
String lightsqty 4

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 100
Coffee cupsqty 60
Platesqty 80
Cutlery setsqty 80
Serving plattersqty 12
Pouring jugsqty 8

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Coolersqty 6
Food warmersqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 4
Kitchen knivesqty 4
Serving spoonsqty 8
Thermos flasksqty 6

Decorations

Competition postersqty 6
Route signsqty 4
Name badgesqty 70
Medalsqty 12
Winner's cupsqty 3

Safety

First aid kit
Life ringsqty 4
Rescue linesqty 4
Flashlightsqty 6
Safety blanketsqty 6

Cleaning

Cleaning bucketsqty 4
Cleaning clothsqty 12
Washing-up tubsqty 3
Hand broomsqty 3
Litter pickersqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 5 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 10 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Orange juice - 4 cartons
- Alcohol-free beer - 3 cases
- Beer - 5 crates
- White wine - 8 bottles
- Red wine - 4 bottles
- Sparkling wine - 3 bottles
- Ice cubes - 12 bags
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Mini rolls - 80 pieces
- Butter - 1 kilo
- Young cheese - 2 kilos
- Aged cheese - 2 kilo
- Ham - 1,5 kilo
- Chicken breast slices - 1.5 kilos
- Hummus - 1.5 kilos
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Lettuce - 6 heads
- Red onions - 1 kilo
- Pasta salad - 6 kilos
- Potato salad - 5 kilos
- Mixed green salad - 4 kilos
- Vegetarian quiche - 6 pieces
- Chicken drumsticks - 7 kilo
- Vegetarian burgers - 30 pieces
- Hamburger buns - 70 pieces
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Barbecue sauce - 2 bottles
- Salt - 1 tin
- Pepper - 1 can
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Party nuts - 3 kilo
- Olives - 2 kilos
- Grapes - 4 kilos
- Apples - 50 pieces
- Cookies - 5 packs
- Lemons - 1 kilo
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Liquid hand soap - 4 bottles
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Paper napkins - 300 pieces
- Trash bags - 60 pieces

Tips

Allow one properly fitted life jacket for every person going on the water, including race officials and rescue-boat crew. Check sizes and closures before race day rather than discovering shortages at the dock.
Prepare at least one working handheld radio or walkie-talkie for each key role: race control, the start ship, the rescue boat and shore coordination. Charge all units the day before and bring battery chargers.
Mark the course with enough buoys, anchors and anchor lines for every planned turn, plus one spare set if the route is difficult to recover. Check the line length and anchor condition before loading the boats.
Print one race form and one participant pack for every confirmed sailor, then keep a small buffer of spare copies. Waterproof scoreboards and clearly visible start numbers prevent delays when paper gets wet or windy.
Set up shore facilities before the briefing: allow roughly one table for registration and paperwork, separate serving space, and enough reusable cups, plates and cutlery for the expected group. Add shelter, lighting and waste bins if people will stay after the finish.

Frequently asked questions

What safety equipment do I need for a sailing race?: Plan one suitable life jacket per person on every boat, including officials and rescue crew. You also need a rescue boat, tested communications and the safety equipment required by your local rules; check everything at least one day before the race.
How many buoys and anchors are needed for a sailing race?: Use one buoy and one secure anchor arrangement for each course mark, including the start and finish marks if they are buoyed. Prepare at least one spare buoy, anchor and anchor line when recovery during the race would be difficult.
How many radios do I need for race day?: Provide separate communication equipment for race control, the start ship, the rescue boat and shore coordination: four working units is a practical minimum for a small event. Test every radio and charge its battery the day before.
What should I prepare for sailors at registration?: Prepare one participant pack and one set of start numbers for each confirmed sailor, plus around 5 to 10 percent spare copies. Keep the forms, scoreboards and spare numbers in waterproof storage until registration opens.

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