Memorial Bad News Regatta 2025
Sailing Instructions
7th June - 9th June 2025
The organising authority is the Gold Coast Catamaran Club Inc.
Rules
1.1 The Regatta will be governed by the rules as defined in The Racing Rules of Sailing.
1.2 The Special Regulations of Yachting Australia part 2 for off the beach boats will apply.
1.3 Rule(s) of the Class Associations class rules will apply.
1.4 Where the Class Associations Class Rules conflict with the Sailing Instructions, the Sailing Instructions will apply.
Notices to Competitors and Skippers’ Meeting
2.1 Notices to competitors will be posted on the official notice board located in the tent.
2.2 There will be a skippers’ meeting at 1030 hours on Saturday the 7th June 2025.
Changes to Sailing Instructions
3.1 Any change to the sailing instructions will be posted on the official notice board before 0900 hours on the day it will take effect, except that any change to the schedule of races will be posted by 2000 hours on the day before it will take effect.
Signals made Ashore
4.1 Signals made ashore will be displayed at the Official Flag Pole located at the tent.
4.2 When AP is displayed ashore, “1 minute” is replaced with “not less than 20 minutes”.
Schedule of Races
Date Time of warning signal
Saturday 7th June 2025: Up to 4 races back to back. Not before 1030 hours.
Sunday 8th June 2025: Up to 4 races back to back. Not before 0930 hours.
Monday 9th June 2025: Not before 0930 hours. Intention is to hold a Marathon.
5.1 The Race Committee may hold up to 4 races per day with some back-to-back races, depending on the weather. The above table is the intention but additional races may be scheduled if the weather does not allow the schedule to be adhered to.
5.2 The maximum number of races for the Regatta will be 10.
5.3 A minimum of 1 race is required to constitute a series.
5.4 When there has been a long postponement and when more than one race (or sequence of races) for two or more divisions will be held on the same day, the warning signal for the first race and each succeeding race will be made as soon as practicable. To alert boats that a race or sequence of races will begin soon, a yellow flag will be displayed with one sound for at least four minutes before a warning signal is displayed.
5.6 A yellow flag will be flown at the finish to indicate that another race will be held, and to stand by for another start.
Race Area
The race area will be off Currumbin Alley, 600m offshore.
The Courses
7.1 Courses will be standard IHCA courses described at briefing and displayed on a board attached to the start boat.
Marks
8.1 The marks will be described at the briefing.
The Start
9.1 Races will be started by using Rule 26 with the warning signal given 5 minutes before the starting signal.
9.2 The starting line will be described at briefing.
9.3 A boat starting later than 4 minutes after her starting signal will be scored Did Not Start.
9.4 Minimum wind conditions: Not race will be started in under 5 Knots of wind at all marks of the course as determined by the Race Committee.
The Finish
10.1 The finish line will be described at briefing.
10.2 Finish Line Obstruction: The finish line shall rank as an obstruction for all boats not starting or finishing.
Penalty System
11.1 Rules 44.1 and 44.2 are changed so that only one turn, including one tack and one gybe is required.
Time Limits
12.1 The time limit will be 1.5 hours.
12.2 Boats failing to finish within 25 minutes after the first boat of its class, sails the course and finishes, will be scored Did Not Finish.
Scoring
12.1 If four or more races are completed in a series the worst score may be dropped.
Safety Regulations
13.1 A boat that retires from racing shall notify the Race Committee as soon as possible.
Replacement of Crew or Equipment
14.1 Crew Substitution will not be allowed without prior written approval of the Race Committee.
14.2 For substitution of sails, General Class Rule 12.3 applies.
14.3 Substitution of other damaged or lost equipment will not be allowed unless approved by the Race Committee. Requests for substitution shall be made to the Committee at the first reasonable opportunity.
Equipment and Measurement Checks
15.1 A boat or equipment may be inspected at any time for compliance with the class rules and sailing instructions. On the water, a boat can be instructed by a Race Committee measurer to proceed immediately to a designated area for inspection.
Rubbish Disposal
16.1 Boats shall not put rubbish in the water. Rubbish may be placed aboard support and Race Committee boats.
Prizes
17.1 Prizes may be awarded for each class, depending on the size of the fleet.
Disclaimer of Liability
18.1 It is each competitor’s decision to enter the Regatta or to start and/or continue any race. Each competitor accepts that their participation in the Regatta or race shall be at their exclusive risk in every respect.
Attention is drawn to Fundamental Rule 4 – Decision to Race.
18.2 The Sponsor, Organising Authority and their Officers, Members, Servants and Agents and all parties involved in the organisation and conduct of the Regatta shall not be liable in respect of loss of life, personal injury or loss or damage howsoever caused which may occur whether ashore or afloat during or in conjunction with the Regatta.
18.3 The Notice of Race and Sailing Instructions do not limit or reduce the complete and unlimited responsibilities of each competitor for the management and care of a boat that he or she has entered in the Regatta.
Insurance
19.1 All boats competing shall have third party liability insurance cover of not less than $AUD 5 million.
19.2 All owners and/or competitors who sign the Entry Form are deemed to have made a declaration that they hold such cover.
Special Notes
20.1 Race Committee boats shall rank as obstructions.
20.2 The Race Committee shall not answer any questions on the water
20.3 The Race Committee may decide when a boat or crew needs assistance.
Safety Notes to Competitors
21.1 If wind, wave or water conditions make you doubtful of your ability to handle the conditions, retire from the race.
21.2 Before raising the mast and always whilst sailing, check for and avoid low overhead electrical power lines. If you see a power line, avoid it. A mast coming in contact or even near an electrical power line can cause serious injury or death to people on or touching the boat.
21.3 All competitors are reminded to observe navigation beacons in the area.
21.4 All competitors are reminded to avoid the surfing area and be mindful of personal watercraft. It is recommended that boats exiting Currumbin Creek proceed North to avoid the surfing area.
