Following a few years of very interesting racing, where we tried to define what a canoe should look like, we have adopted the altogether simpler method of only limiting the sail area allowed. The result of this has been an even more interesting variation in the design of boats with some people using multihull, others using outriggers and others sticking with single hulls. We feel that this provides a prudent but still enjoyable experience and encourages boats and rigs to be sensibly prepared and sailed. The advantage to gained by the use of high tech materials in boat and rig construction is also minimised which we believe to be a fairer strategy for all concerned. Sailing rules and procedures Races are often started from a beach with sailors standing in the shallows ready to jump into their boats on the word go.
Race courses vary greatly depending on the venue.
Some are long, lasting an hour or two over several miles round natural features such as islands. Others are shorter round existing buoys or ones we put out and may only last half an hour or so. There are also a number of races combining sailing and paddling skills where several laps of a short course must be completed using just sail power or just paddle power alternately. These encourage good boat, rig and paddling skills as well as rig designs which are readily hoisted and lowered whilst on the water.