Beer Can Races

Beer Can Races Newport Beach California

Beer Can Races are a summer time staple event at nautical and yacht clubs.

About

Beer Can Races allow people to experience yacht racing in a more relaxed environment than that of a major offshore race.[1]

Beer Can Races are normally short courses, and many restrictions can apply to keep the sailing simple. Many clubs restrict the use of Spinnakers, trapeze harnesses or the use of twin headsails.

History

Newport Beach "Beer Can Racers"

Urban legend has it that casual, weekday racing earned its name because most of the participants didn’t know how to read the race rules and couldn’t tell a windward mark from the starting line; they simply followed the empty beer cans tossed overboard by the leading boats. [2]


Controversy

"Beer Can Race" Newport Beach, California

July 21, 2008 the LA Times reported that the yachts sailing in the Newport Beach Beer Can event were being stopped and citations were being issued to the boats by the Orange County Sheriff to the boats that were exceeding the 5 mph (4.34 knot) speed limits in the harbor during the races.[3] The issue was later resolved allowing the sail boats to maintain boat speed during the race or while training to race without concern of interference from the authorities.

After years of discussion, the Harbor Commission, Orange County Sheriff's Department Harbor Patrol, boating groups and city officials are nearing agreement on a plan that would allow yacht clubs and collegiate associations to apply for a permit before a given regatta and legally exceed the speed limit during races and practice sessions. Boaters not participating in a permitted event would still have to abide by the speed limit.[4]

External Links

http://www.latitude38.com/misc/10Command-opt.pdf |The Ten Commandments of Beercan Racing

References

  1. ↑ http://www.latitude38.com/YRASchedule/BeerCans.html 2013 BEER CAN RACES Northern California
  2. ↑ http://salishsea.typepad.com/blog/2006/11/beer_can_racing.html Beer Can Racing
  3. ↑ http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-beercans21-2008jul21,0,5007166.story Newport's 'beer can' racers say it might be time to bail out
  4. ↑ http://articles.latimes.com/2011/apr/03/local/la-me-boat-racing-20110403 Newport Beach may allow boat racers to exceed speed limit