Getting Started Crewing
by Claudia Kondracky
If you want to start racing, and this article is for beginners, crew on a boat. You'll need a couple of things to start with. They are sneakers that will grip the deck when it's wet, gloves, a hat and some kind of jacket. I don't recommend stating in the fall or early spring in one design boats. You'll freeze and never go back.
Okay, you're set and now you need to find a boat. This is easier then it sound. Captains always need crew. Go to a yacht club's website, find out when they race and ask who needs crew. The committee boat may know who is short crew too. There's even a way to be picked up before the season. We've picked up crew through Anderson Island Irregulars with their crew matching program. Don't lie, if this is the first time on a boat, tell them. I've raced with everyone from first timers to very experienced people. These people need you because their regular crew isn't there. You will be needed and shown what to do. Ask many questions. When I get a new person aboard I have them listen to only me. I'll watch what they are going to be doing and talk them through it each time. Even if you sail and never have raced, racing is a lot different.
Okay, you're on a boat and have been shown what to do and are fairly confident about the whole thing. What was a nice sail out to the line turns into a tense situation and you're wondering what happened? There's a lot of stuff that happens before a race. Your boat gets checked in and the course is noted. Then a gun goes off and you figure oh great, now their shooting at us. Tension goes way up on the boat. People are in tight quarters with other boats. Sense the tension on board and know that it's not the time to break out the camera or ask too much of the captain. This is the starting sequence and the boats are trying to get into position to start. The sequence at yacht clubs is 5, 4, 1, go. If you know this and only this you will be a valuable member of the crew. I told this to a new person on our boat before a regatta and sure enough he knew what the start sequence was and was reminding us!
The upwind leg can be the most important leg of the race. The faster class boats roar up the course and the slower ones don't. The best part of the upwind leg it that it separates the boats. If you're on the rail, look to see what people are looking for. Often people are looking for puffs and what the other boats in your class are doing. Waves are called also on windy days.
You rounded as close to the mark as you've ever been to a mark. If you're on a spinnaker boat and thought the tension was great during the start, wow the pressure just went up from that. Lots of stuff has to happen for the spinnaker to go up, most of it at the same time too. Lay low if your not involved with it. If you are, be sure to tell people where you are with your job. Balancing the boat is always important so don't be surprised if you're move around a bit. Just as you started to relax and get comfy, they want to take the spinnaker down! More tension, another close rounding, and sails all over the place too. If you've never packed a spinnaker, tell them. It's a bit like folding fitted sheets. If the spinnaker isn't pack right, it wont go up right and you don't want to be responsible for that. Even if you do know how to pack a chute, you may want to decline the invitation and beg ignorance. But you can offer to help.
Okay, the race is over and the boat is cleaning up. Always offer to help. If the captain wants you to come again, he'll offer. If he doesn't, ask him if he knows another boat looking for crew. You may have to race on several boats until you find the perfect match. You want a boat that fits your temperament. You'll know it when you find it. Good luck and happy crewing.
