Race Officials Training

Long Term Official Development

Becoming a race official is a rewarding and fun way of volunteering and contributing to the running of sailing regattas.

SA Sailing provides programmes that cover the span of officiating skills from entry to advance level within various race official roles.

The officiating roles are as follows:

• Race Officers officiating in all racing, Regatta and Race Management Assistant trained in all aspects of regatta organising.
• Judge officiating on Protest committees
• Umpires - on the water umpiring during racing
• Measurer officiating in the Measurement process in Class events,

Each officiating stream is split into Assistant , Club/District, Regional, National and International Race Officials. A broad guideline as to the experience or general characteristic of an official at this level is detailed below:

Race Officers Training Programme

The SA Sailing Assistant Race Officer (ARO) Programme is designed to develop assistant race officers to assist at Club and or District level competition and forms an introduction to the formal SA Sailing Race Officer’s framework up to National level competition. The programme is made up of theory-based race and regatta workshop and practical experience with club competition

The SA Sailing Club/District Race Officer Programme is designed to develop race officers to facilitate Club and or District level competition and forms the entry point for the SA Sailing Race Officer’s framework up to National level competition. The programme is made up of theory-based race and regatta workshop and practical experience with club competition.

The SA Sailing Regional Race Officer Programme is designed to bring Race Officers who hold a Club/District Race Officer certificate to a level that they can be certified as Regional Race Officers and importantly be used as a refresher for current Regionally Accredited Race Officers. A refresher workshop is a pre-requisite in renewing the RO certificate.

This programme forms part of the formal SA Sailing Race Officer’s framework up to National level competition. The programme is made up of theory-based race and regatta workshop and practical experience with regional competition. Accreditation is valid for 4 years.

The SA Sailing National Race Officer Programme is designed to bring Race Officers who hold a Regional Race Officer certificate to a level that they can be certified as National Race Officers and importantly be used as a refresher for current Nationally Accredited Race Officers. Attendance of the formal refresher workshop is a pre-requisite when renewing any RO certificate.

This programme forms part of the formal SA Sailing Race Officer’s framework and is the final formal training for SA Sailing Certificated Race Officers. The programme is made up of theory-based race and regatta workshop and practical experience with national competition. Accreditation is valid for 4 years.

International Race Officer is administered by World Sailing and details of their requirements can be found on the World Sailing Website .

The SA Sailing National Race Officer Training Programme thus only notes candidates who have successfully completed or renewed World Sailing's requirements. Candidates interested in obtaining this level should advise the SA Sailing Sail Management Committee of their intent to complete the programme in order for the Committee to provide the necessary referrals.

The SA Sailing Race Officer Facilitator Programme are appointed to facilitate and host the SA Sailing run Race Officers programmes, namely, the Regional and National Race Officers ’workshops. Reviewing applications under the Race Officials programme and making recommendations to SA Sailing for the appointment of Regional and National Race Officers.

They will provide oversight and maintenance of the SA Sailing Race Officials Training Programme and the continuous update thereof.

The SA Sailing Management Committee will appoint successful candidates for a period of 2 years.

Judge Training Programme

This programme forms part of the formal SA Sailing Race Officer’s framework and is the final formal training for SA Sailing Certificated Judges. The programme is made up of theory-based pre-Seminar assignments, along with either an in personal/remote Seminar and practical experience with RRS 42 compliance.

The SA Sailing District Judges Programme is designed to bring Judges who are interested in progressing and developing in the area of judging to a level that they can be certified as district Judge. Individuals who obtain this level of certification are able to assist on judging panels for local or regional events that are chaired by an SA Sailing appointed Judge.

The SA Sailing Regional Judges Programme is designed to bring Judges who hold a District Judges certificate to a level that they can be certified as Regional Judge and importantly be used as a refresher for current Regional Accredited Judges. Attendance of the formal refresher seminar is a pre-requisite when renewing any Judging certificate.

The SA Sailing National Judges Programme is designed to bring Judges who hold a Regional Judges certificate to a level that they can be certified as National Judge and importantly be used as a refresher for current Nationally Accredited Judges. Attendance of the formal refresher workshop is a pre-requisite when renewing any Judging certificate.

 Accreditation is valid for 4 years.

Umpire Training Programme

Programme detail under development

SA Sailing is in the process of developing its National Umpire Training Programme and its standards for Umpire Training in Fleet sailing, match racing and Team sailing, along with its Framework.

The Umpire training programme takes the format of an Umpire 2/3-day seminar which comprises of theory and on the water training. Assessments include both written and practical elements. Candidates of all levels can join the programme and will be recommended for appointment against the programme’s appointment pathway, in line with the criteria for each of those levels. i.e., Club/District, Regional or National Umpire.

As this programme is new to the SA Sailing National Training Programme scheme, some of the details are still to be finalised. for now, the following details in this regard are: -

• 2- or 3-day Seminar consisting of approx. 5 – 8 hours theory and 5 – 8 hours on the water training, as well as the assessment process (written and practical).
• Course Ratio: 1:6 pax/candidates (may be stretched to 8) – Min of 4 pax/candidates are needed to run the programme.

Equipment needed.

1. Access to a suitably equipped training room with equipment.
2. Set of correct Flags for Team Sailing as per the rule book (specifically) per umpire boat. Some spare flags are recommended.
3. Umpire boats should be Ribs (soft Sides) approx. 5m and min of 40hp (need to accommodate 2/3 people and be easily manoeuvrable
4. Protest flags for all boats will be needed.
5. Kill Cord on boats MUST be present and working (a backup is recommended in line with the SA Sailing recognition guidelines)

Candidate requirements

• No age limit.
• Skippers ticket (recognised SAMSA COC will be required but candidates will be able to attend the training – we would just need to know the status of each candidate in this regard to ensure compliance to regulations on the water.
• SA Sailing Safety Boat Operators Certificate, this will also be required but can be actioned planned.
• Each candidate will need to have their own whistles.
• Some level of competencies is required, and Lance will engage with details and assist with pre seminar “homework” as is required.

Planning for an Umpire Training Seminar.

If you would like to be part of the process and kick start Umpire Training at your club in any of the three sailing disciplines, i.e. Fleet racing, Team Sailing or Match Racing, Please email your request to SA Sailing on info@sailing.org.za. Please note that each format of sailing requires its own dedicated training/seminar.

Costs for the programme that need to be planned for are noted as follows: -

1. Travel and accommodation and if needed car hire for The SA Sailing appointed Umpie Convenor to get to your venue.
2. Boat fuel used on the programme.
3. Any other cost that may need to be considered must please be communicated to assess if any further assistance is possible.
4. Meals and beverages unfortunately cannot be covered under this.
5. A seminar fee of R200 per person doing the seminar will be due.

If anyone is interested in joing the Umpiring Programme can in the interim email info@sailing.org.za for details