What to bring for a sailing race

A sailing race needs more than boats and a start flag. You will also need marked course equipment, reliable communication, safety cover and weather-ready clothing for crews and officials. Plan separate supplies for the start boat, safety boat, race committee and shore team so essential gear does not stay in the wrong place. Use this shopping list to check equipment early, especially radios, life jackets, batteries, anchors and waterproof storage.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Tablesqty 8
Folding chairsqty 60
Party tentsqty 3
Bar stoolsqty 6
Waste binsqty 8

Sports equipment

Sailboatsqty 12
Life jacketsqty 50
Competition buoysqty 6
Buoy anchorsqty 6
Anchor linesqty 6
Starting flag
Signal flagsqty 8
Start Line
Finish line
Anemometersqty 2
Binocularsqty 4
Waterproof bagsqty 8
Waterproof clothingqty 8

Equipment

Safety boat
Backup boat
Walkie-Talkiesqty 6
Megaphone
Walkie-talkiesqty 6
Laptopsqty 2
Printer
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4

Lighting

LED work lightsqty 6
String lightsqty 4

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 100
Coffee cupsqty 60
Platesqty 80
Bowlsqty 40
Knivesqty 80
Forksqty 80
Spoonsqty 60

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 6
Coolersqty 6
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knifeqty 4
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving spoonsqty 8
Pliersqty 6
Aluminum foilqty 2

Decorations

Competition flagsqty 12
Bib numbersqty 12
Bannersqty 6
Conesqty 20
Barrier tapeqty 4
Tableclothsqty 8
Trophiesqty 3
Medal ribbonsqty 12

Cleaning

Trash bagsqty 40
Hand soapqty 4
Disinfectantqty 3
Spongesqty 8
Dish brushesqty 4
Dish soapqty 3
Cleaning clothsqty 20
Paper towelsqty 8
Toilet paperqty 24
Towelsqty 12
Broomqty 2
Floor squeegeeqty 2
Bucketsqty 4

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 1 box
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Sweetener - 1 box
- Semi-skimmed milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Lemon - 6 pieces
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 48 bottles
- Spa Red - 24 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Beer - 72 bottles
- White wine - 8 bottles
- Rosé - 6 bottles
- Red wine - 4 bottles
- Ice cubes - 15 bags
- Baguettes - 15 pieces
- Whole grain bread - 8 loaves
- White buns - 80 pieces
- Wholemeal rolls - 60 pieces
- Mini wraps - 50 pieces
- Butter - 4 packs
- Cream cheese - 8 tubs
- Mild cheese - 3 kilograms
- Aged cheese - 2 kilograms
- Cooked ham - 2 kilograms
- Chicken breast slices - 2 kilograms
- Smoked salmon - 1 kilogram
- Hummus - 8 tubs
- Egg salad - 6 tubs
- Tuna salad - 6 containers
- Cucumber - 8 pieces
- Tomatoes - 4 kilogram
- Arugula - 6 bags
- Lettuce - 6 heads
- Bell peppers - 12
- Red onion - 2 kilograms
- Pickles - 4 jars
- Mayonnaise - 3 bottles
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Peanut butter - 2 jars
- Jam - 3 jars
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Snack mix - 4 bags
- Olives - 4 jars
- Cashews - 3 bags
- Grapes - 5 kilograms
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Bananas - 30 pieces
- Oranges - 30 pieces
- Muesli bars - 60 pieces
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Brownies - 50 pieces
- Cupcakes - 50 pieces
- Vegetarian burgers - 30 pieces
- Hamburger buns - 60 pieces
- Beef burgers - 50 pieces
- Veggie hot dogs - 30 pieces
- Hot dogs - 50 pieces
- Crispy fried onions - 2 jars
- Satay sauce - 3 jars
- Barbecue sauce - 3 bottles
- Herb butter - 8 tubs
- Potato salad - 8 kilograms
- Pasta salad - 8 kilograms
- Coleslaw - 6 kilograms
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Trash bags - 40 pieces
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 6 packs
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls

Tips

Count one properly fitted life jacket for every person on each boat, plus spares for the safety and reserve boats. Check sizes and service condition at least one week before race day.
Prepare one waterproof document pack for each race-control position. Include printed race forms, course details, contact numbers and spare pens so wet paperwork does not stop the race.
Allow at least one working radio or handheld communication device for the start boat, safety boat, race committee and key course officials. Test every unit and charge batteries the day before.
Pack a complete marking set for the course: buoys, anchors, anchor lines, start and finish lines, and signal flags. Check the line lengths against the water depth before the boats arrive.
Plan for shore operations as well as racing. Bring tables, folding chairs, waste bins, power strips and extension cables, and keep waterproof bags available for phones, documents and spare clothing.

Frequently asked questions

What safety equipment do I need for a sailing race?: Provide a life jacket for every participant, with correctly fitting sizes and spare vests available on the safety and reserve boats. A staffed safety boat, first-aid cover and working communication equipment should be ready before the first start.
How many radios do I need for a sailing race?: Plan at least one working radio or handheld communication device for each operational team: the start boat, safety boat, race committee and key course officials. Have spare batteries or charging capacity ready and test all units one day beforehand.
When should I prepare the sailing race equipment?: Check boats, buoys, anchors, lines, flags and safety gear at least one week before the race. Test radios, printers, laptops and power equipment the day before, then inspect the course-marking gear again during setup.
What should I bring for a sailing race in bad weather?: Pack waterproof clothing for every crew member and official, plus waterproof bags for documents and electronics. Bring tents, lighting and dry seating for shore teams, and check the forecast at least 24 hours before the event.

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