Join the Race Officer Team

We are always on the lookout for new members to join the group that runs our racing events. It is a hugely satisfying hobby - and you can make it more or less what you want it to be, from a full commitment to the full programme to turning out once or twice a year; from gaining (or demonstrating) the experience to be the PRO running the event to being content to be 'just a spear carrier'.  Either way, the RO team tends to have a good deal of fun together over a weekend as well as having the satisfaction of providing top-quality events for our members and competitors.

For our Solent events we operate predominantly out of Cowes. The Club will where necessary arrange (but not pay for) accommodation for race officers who do not have their own arrangements there. We normally convene on a Friday evening, usually over a glass or two. Our committee boat is normally Gemini Breeze, a purpose-equipped 34ft motor launch owned and operated by our part-time bosun Rhyddian Williams (for a video of Gemini Breeze in action, click here then fast-forward o the Farr 45 section). We gather at the Trinity Landing (in front of the Royal London YC) at 0830 and proceed to sea, accompanied by Thames Five, our Club-owned workboat.

After racing we usually gather for a post-race glass in the Royal London, our sister club in Cowes (quite often one or two of the race team will be staying there) and on the Saturday evening usually go out for a meal together. This year Lugley's and the Bahi Tandoori are level pegging at the top of the 'favoured haunt' list.

For some events, such as the Farr 45 match racing, we take over the RORC's house Disrespect, which has the advantage that there we can self-cater.

Other events are held at Queen Mary Reservoir, just off the top of the M3 at Staines. Many of the regualr race team live nearby - but we still try and make a point of gathering somewhere on the Saturday evening. The highlight this year was a moonlight supper trip on the Thames courtesy of Paul and Angie Antrobus and their river launch.

For a list of upcoming events and the team opportunities they provide, look here.

For information about joining the Cowes Week team, either on the Platform or in Thames Five, click here.

To find out how to join the Thames Five crew pool, as either coxswain or deckhand, click here.

To register your interest in joining the race team, click here.