2027 - Coaching Conditions
Coaching Conditions
A boat shall not receive coaching or other outside help while racing except as permitted by RRS 41. An alleged breach will be handled in accordance with the Racing Rules of Sailing.
A coach or support person who fails to comply with these Coaching Conditions may be warned by the Race Committee. Following a second violation, the Race Committee may direct the coach or support person to leave the racing area and return ashore. Serious violations may be reported to the protest committee for action under the RRS.
I. US SAILING AND REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP EVENTS
For any US Sailing or regional championship qualifying or elimination event, the applicable championship conditions shall govern coaching and support-person activities.
II. PGJSA CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
Coaching is permitted only between races. Coaching is not permitted following a General Recall or at any time while a competitor is racing.
Coaches and instructors are required to register at the regatta and must remain present, available, and reachable for the entire regatta.
Coaches operating on the water shall provide an appropriate support boat equipped with a working VHF radio, first-aid kit, and all safety equipment required by the U.S. Coast Guard. All persons aboard shall wear properly secured PFDs while afloat.
Coaches, support personnel, and spectators shall remain clear of the racecourse unless requested by the Race Committee to assist with safety or rescue operations. They shall monitor the Race Committee VHF channel identified at the Coaches Meeting and comply with safety instructions issued by the Race Committee.
Coaches, support personnel, and spectators shall not make or receive communications of any kind to or from competitors while competitors are racing, except in an emergency. This restriction includes VHF radio, mobile telephone, text messaging, and other wireless communications.
III. OPTIMIST GREEN FLEET
Optimist Green Fleet shall race separately from Optimist White, Blue and Red fleets. Coaching is permitted for Green Fleet competitors in accordance with the coaching practices established for the event and instructions of the Race Committee.
Coach and Support Person Enforcement
Coaches, instructors, support persons, and support boats shall comply with these Coaching Conditions and with instructions issued by the Race Committee concerning safety and the conduct or positioning of support boats.
For a first violation of these Coaching Conditions, the Race Committee may issue a warning to the coach or support person.
A second violation by the same coach or support person during the regatta may result in the Race Committee directing that person and their support boat to leave the racing area and return ashore for the remainder of that day's racing.
The Race Committee may direct a coach or support person to leave the racing area without a prior warning when, in the judgment of the Race Committee, the conduct presents an immediate safety concern or materially interferes with the conduct of racing.
Repeated or serious violations may be reported to the protest committee for action under the Racing Rules of Sailing.
A penalty imposed upon a coach or support person under these Coaching Conditions shall not, by itself, result in a penalty to a competitor. Any allegation that a competitor received prohibited coaching or other outside help while racing shall be handled in accordance with the Racing Rules of Sailing.
Course Monitoring
The Race Committee or host club may designate patrol boats to monitor compliance with these Coaching Conditions. Coaches and support persons shall comply with reasonable instructions from the Race Committee or its designated patrol boats concerning their location, movement, safety responsibilities, and proximity to the racing area.