The start of the race

• Before you sail – write your name, type of boat and sail number on the signing-on sheet.
• Briefing – 15 minutes before the start in front of the clubhouse. You need to have your boat rigged and ready to go by then.
• Start line – is generally between a yellow ‘outer’ buoy and the centre flag pole by the hut. The course is also on the front of the hut.
• Course number – white on a red background – you have to round that buoy with it on the port side of your boat.
  
• Course number – white on a green background – you have to round that buoy with it on the starboard side of your boat.
  
• X after the course numbers means you have to pass between the yellow ‘outer’ buoy and the race hut at the end of every lap.

Signals – flags and sound

• 5 minutes before the start the Buccaneers flag or Jolly Roger is hoisted to the top of the flagpole.
• 4 minutes before the start the Preparatory flag is raised and this is when the racing rules start.
• 1 minute before the start the Preparatory flag is lowered.
• 0 minute the race starts and the Jolly Roger is lowered.

All this hoisting or lowering is accompanied by one sound signal, normally a horn. We don’t tell you how many laps to do before the race because it very much depends on the wind strength which is often changing. However, when you hear 2 sound signals and see the shortened course flag raised, it means that you will finish the next time you cross the starting line. If there is any doubt we will let you know.

Flags used by the Buccaneers and Youth Squad

Warning – Buccaneers’ Class flag, the Jolly Roger up at 5 minutes before start, down when the race starts with one sound signal each time.

Preparatory – raised at 4 minutes before and down 1 minute before start, one sound signal each time.

Shorten course – raised a short time before finish, two sounds.

Individual recall – raised with one sound signal if a boat is over the line at the start. In formal racing you will not be told whether it is you or another boat, but in the Buccaneers, we will tell you!

General recall – raised with two sound signals if unidentifiable boats are over the start, and lowered with one sound signal, one minute before the Warning flag is raised again.

Postponement – raised with two sound signals, lowered with one sound signal, and then again Warning flag generally raised with one sound signal after a further minute.

Abandon race – raised with three sound signals, means head back to clubhouse.

Black flag – a flag you should know about if you compete in other junior events. Mostly used after one or two general recalls, it means that if any part of your boat is over the start line during the one minute before the start, you will be disqualified.

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