Season Preparation

Season Preparation

STEP ONE - SAFETY AUDIT (Equipment Compliance Form)

• Complete a safety audit for your yacht to comply with the Australian Sailing Special Regulations for the highest category of safety that you wish to race under. Be aware that some races may carry a category ‘plus’ (+) meaning there are additional requirements, these will be listed in the individual race notice in the ORWA Handbook. 
• Safety audit forms are available on the Australian Sailing website. You should first complete a self check prior to making a booking with an Equipment Auditor. A list of accredited auditors can be found on the Australian Sailing - WA website and you can also make the booking through your Club sailing office. Your Club will allocate your Equipment Compliance Form reference number. 
• The completed form, signed and dated by both the owner/person in charge and the equipment auditor will be given a unique number by your Club. It is the owner/person in charge’s responsibility to ensure the original form has been lodged with the Club and the number placed on the form prior to entering your first race of the season. A copy of the form must be kept on board your boat and the boat’s equipment kept fully operational and to the required standard at all times. 
• A copy of your valid Equipment Compliance Form must be uploaded to your race entry in the TopYacht system for ORWA races. 
• NEA Equipment Form numbers are generally valid for one year after the date of the audit.

STEP TWO - YACHT HANDICAP

Decide which measurement systems you would like to race in and ensure the certificates for your yacht are up to date. 

Measuring for IRC

• Information can be found on the IRC webpage  http://ircrating.org/racing/on-line-tcc-listings
• There you will find IRC TCC listings and other useful items. 
• The WA measurer for IRC is Ian Ball.
• Please refer to the IRC Handicap page here on our website for further details. 

PHS 

• All yachts registered for the ORWA Series will receive a PHS. Please ensure your details are correct on your ORWA membership form, completed by the owner. 
• The ORWA Performance Handicap System is very much like the system used by many clubs for performance handicapping. ORWA is very grateful to Ross Dennis for managing these handicaps.
• Please refer to the PHS Handicap page here on our website for further details. 

STEP THREE - ORWA MEMBERSHIP

• Register your yacht with Ocean Racing WA for the season. 
• Please use the membership section of the website for details. 

STEP FOUR - REGISTERING FOR RACES

• The boat owner must have completed the ORWA membership registration at least 7 days prior to entering your first race for the season. 
• Enter your yacht for each race on the ORWA TopYacht event page. 
• Payment must be made prior to race entry closing.
• Update your race entry to include documents and crew lists required for each race. 
• Ensure your yacht complies to Australian Sailing Racing Rule of Sailing 46 by making sure all of your crew hold a valid Australian Sailing registration through membership / SailPass with an affiliated yacht club.