What to Buy and Bring for a Sailing Race

A sailing race needs more than boats and a start line. You need course equipment, safety gear, communications, timing and scorekeeping supplies, plus practical items for registration and the clubhouse. Use this shopping list to check what must be bought, borrowed or brought to the venue. Plan quantities around the number of boats, start groups, volunteers and shore-side guests, and secure safety equipment before opening registration.

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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
Buffet tablesqty 3
Clothes racksqty 2

Sports equipment

Competition buoysqty 8
Anchorsqty 8
Anchor linesqty 8
Start flagsqty 4
Finish flagsqty 2
Course marking
Whistlesqty 6
Stopwatchesqty 4
Anemometersqty 2
Waterproof scoreboardsqty 2

Safety

Life jacketsqty 20
Life ringsqty 4
Throw linesqty 4
Waterproof flashlightsqty 4
First aid kitsqty 2
Emergency blanketsqty 10
Safety helmetsqty 10
Safety tapeqty 4

Equipment

Walkie-talkiesqty 8
Megaphonesqty 2
Laptopsqty 2
Printers
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Battery chargersqty 4
Bluetooth speaker
Microphone

Registration

Bib numbersqty 100
Wristbandsqty 120
Clipboardsqty 8
Ballpoint pensqty 30
Waterproof markersqty 12
Printer paper
Name stickersqty 120
Envelopesqty 100

Decorations

Buntingqty 6
Balloonsqty 100
Tableclothsqty 8
Prize display

Catering

Coolersqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 6
Coffee machinesqty 2
Water jugsqty 6
Groceries
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Lemon - 10 pieces
- Still mineral water - 12 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 8 bottles
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Iced tea - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Orange juice - 4 cartons
- Alcohol-free beer - 3 cases
- Beer - 4 crates
- White wine - 8 bottles
- Rosé - 6 bottles
- Red wine - 4 bottles
- Ice cubes - 12 bags
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Mini pistolets - 100 pieces
- Whole grain bread - 6 loaves
- Butter - 4 packs
- Mild cheese - 3 kilograms
- Aged cheese - 2 kilogram
- Cooked ham - 2 kilograms
- Chicken breast slices - 2 kilograms
- Hummus - 12 tubs
- Peanut butter - 2 jars
- Jam - 3 jars
- Cucumber - 8 pieces
- Tomatoes - 3 kilograms
- Lettuce - 6 heads
- Bell peppers - 2 kilograms
- Red onion - 1 kilogram
- Baby potatoes - 8 kilograms
- Chicken satay - 6 kilograms
- Vegetarian burgers - 40 pieces
- Burger buns - 100 pieces
- Garlic sauce - 4 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 3 bottles
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mustard - 2 bottles
- Satay sauce - 4 jars
- Barbecue sauce - 3 bottles
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Italian herbs - 1 jar
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Salsa - 4 jars
- Savory nuts - 6 bags
- Olives - 6 jars
- Grapes - 5 kilograms
- Apples - 50 pieces
- Bananas - 40 pieces
- Oranges - 30 pieces
- Ice lollies - 100 pieces
- Cookies - 10 packs
- Brownies - 6 boxes
- Whipped cream - 6 cans
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Barbecue firelighters - 2 boxes
- Charcoal - 4 bags
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 6 bottles
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 4 rolls

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 150
Reusable platesqty 120
Reusable cutleryqty 150
Serving spoonsqty 8
Small bowlsqty 12

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 8
Washing-up basinsqty 4
Dish brushesqty 4
Spongesqty 12
Cleaning glovesqty 8
Broom and dustpanqty 2
Mopsqty 3
Bucketsqty 4

Tips

Count one working radio for each key operating point, such as race control, the safety boat and the finish area, then prepare at least one charged spare. Test the full channel plan on the water before race day.
For a simple course, allow one clearly visible mark for every turning point, plus an extra anchor and anchor line in case a mark drifts or needs replacing. Check that each line is long enough for the planned water depth.
Prepare one participant pack per boat or crew, including the start number, published rules and contact details. Print the final participant list after registrations close, and keep a waterproof copy at race control.
Do not leave refreshments until the final morning. Buy enough drinking water for the full sailing period and add food that can be served quickly between starts, with separate options for the dietary requirements already collected.
Charge radios, laptops, stopwatches, flashlights and other battery-powered equipment the day before, then pack chargers, extension cables and power strips together. Bring waterproof storage for paper score sheets and electronics.

Frequently asked questions

What safety equipment do I need for a sailing race?: Plan safety equipment for every person who may go afloat, including life jackets, and provide additional gear for the safety boat and shore team. Pack at least one first aid kit, throwable rescue equipment and a reliable way to communicate for each operating team; confirm the final quantities in your safety plan before race day.
How many sailing race buoys do I need?: The number depends on the course layout: count one buoy for every turning point and include any start or finish marks shown in the course plan. Add at least one spare buoy with a matching anchor and anchor line, and check the complete set several days before the race.
How many radios are needed for a sailing race?: Provide one radio for race control, the safety boat and each other position that must coordinate starts, finishes or incidents. Add one charged spare where possible, and test all radios on the selected channel at least one day before the event.
When should I buy supplies for a sailing race?: Secure safety equipment, buoys, anchors, radios and flags at least one week before the race so missing or unsuitable items can still be replaced. Buy fresh food and chilled drinks one or two days beforehand, and charge electronic equipment the day before.

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