VARC Div-0 Series 2026 (13 Events)
Schedule
Sat Jun 13 2026 at 10:00 am to 05:00 pm
UTC-07:00Location
Bowen Island Yacht Club - BIYC | Bowen Island, BC
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CREW CALLSkippers of the Division-0 Vancouver Big Boat Fleet actively campaign for these 2026 VARC.bc.ca series,
1. VARC-Spring Series (4 events)
2. VARC-Summer Series (3 events)
3. VARC-Fall Series (5 events).
Crew can apply here by selecting GOING (turn Messenger on so skippers can contact you). Preference is typically given to those that...
a) have Safety At Sea certificate
b) help boat pre/post events
c) race on last boat event
d) can attend entire series.
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VARC SCORING
New for 2026 is VARC scoring in 3 separate series with a mix of Distance & Regatta events for each season, as follows,
VARC SPRING SERIES
1. Mar28 Opener (RVYC/Regatta)
2. Apr03 Straits (WVYC/Distance)
3. Apr25 Halibut (WVYC/Distance)
4. Jun13 Bowen (BIYC/Distance)*
*Next Event
VARC-SUMMER SERIES
5. Jul11 Summer (VRC/Regatta)
6. Jul18 SOAR (SYC/Distance)
7. Aug15 EBS (VRC/Distance)
VARC-FALL SERIES
8. Sep11 Salish (RVYC/Distance)
9. Sep12 Deep Cove (SYC/Distance)
10. Sep26 HSR (WVYC/Regatta)
11. Oct03 FRLS (RVYC/Distance)
12. Oct17 Closer (KYC/Regatta)
13. Nov13 VARC Dinner ($75 RVYC)
REGATTAs
Also new for 2026 is for Host Clubs to offer a Div-0 distance course during the Regatta events (like Opener, Summer Regatta, HSR & Closer). Think +10nm course similar to Halibut Bank or FRLS.
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VARC-DISTANCE SERIES 2026,
1. Southern Straits
2. Halibut Bank
3. Round Bowen
4. English Bay Scramble (EBS)
5. Salish Sea
6. Fraser River Light Ships (FRLS)
The VARC-DISTANCE SERIES is the above six regattas, which are perfect for Div-0 Vancouver Big Boats. Only one (Straits) is an over night race, another is a 3 day adventure race (Salish) where the other 4 (Halibut, Bowen, EBS & the FRLS) races allow crew to have breakfast & dinner at home. These regattas require less than an hour of motoring to/from the start/finish lines. We need 2 boats to count the event, so please register early & voice your interest ASAP on the skippers WhatsApp group or poll.
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VARC-REGATTA SERIES 2026
1. VARC Opener
2. Summer Regatta
3. Howe Sound Regatta (HSR)
4. VARC Closer
THE VARC-REGATTA SERIES is the above four regattas, which are new events for Div-0 Vancouver Big Boats. All of these events are local, so crew can have breakfast & dinner at home. All regattas require less than an hour motoring to/from the start/finish line, with an ETA back to most all Vancouver home ports well before the typical 4-6pm time limits. We need 2 boats to count the event, so please register early & voice your interest ASAP on the skippers WhatsApp group or poll.
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CREW
CREW COMMITMENTS
Select GOING if you can commit.
Select INTERESTED if you cannot commit now, but maybe later.
Crew not responding to these Facebook /Events will be at risk.
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FACEBOOK RESPONSES**
2026 VARC SERIES
GOING (10)
1. Vancouver Big Boat Fleet (host)
INTERESTED (6)
1. TBD
**Please register
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BOAT ATTENDANCE (by WhatsApp Poll)**
From 2026 WhatsApp Poll
1. Peter Bodifee (Opener/Straits/Halibut/Bowen/Salish/FRLS)
2. Calvin Goldschmidt (Halibut/FRLS)
3. Matt Humer (Opener/Straits/Hailbut/Bowen)
4. Simon Kaulback (Halibut/Bowen)
5. Ben Lightburn (Straits/Halibut/Summer/SOAR/Salish/HSR/Closer/WNS July)?
6. Michael Mkwelele (Opener/Straits/Halibut)
7. Carl Mulherin (Opener/Straits/Halibut/Bowen/Salish/FRLS)
8. Aegir Olsen (FRLS)
9. Charlotte Silverman (Halibut)
10. Steve Small (Opener/Straits/Halibut/Bowen/Salish/FRLS)
11. Zach Thompson (Straits/Halibut?/Salish/FRLS)
12. Kostia Vasylenko (Halibut/Bowen)
13. Kris Vogel (Opener/Straits?/Halibut/Bowen/EBS/Salish/FRLS)
14. Randy Vogel (Opener/Straits/Halibut/Bowen/Summer/EBS/Salish/FRLS/HSR/Closer)
15. Cole Wunder (Straits/Bowen?)
**Please register
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DIV-0 ATTENDANCE (by Events)
VARC SPRING SERIES,
1. VARC OPENER (REGATTA)
Sat Mar28, 2026 (RVYC)
Div 0, 1, 2, 3, 7
Div-0 No Long Course=DNC
Confirmed Div-0 Boats
1. No Div-0 boats raced Opener
The Opener is a great practice race for next weeks Southern Straits Race. RVYC was reluctant to start Div-0 with less than 3 boats, so the 2 boats interested decided not to race & just go for a practice sail instead. For 2027, Div-0 should get behind this event to better prepare for Straits, and the 2027 season.
OPENER SCHEDULE
Mar28 Sat VARC Opener race day
0956 Low Tide (10.66’)
1358 High Tide (12.01’)
1936 Sunset
2109 Low Tide (4.56’)
2. SOUTHERN STRAITS (DISTANCE)
Good Friday Apr03, 2026 (WVYC)
Div 0, 1, 2 - Sisters Islets
Confirmed Div-0 Boats
1. Strum, Riptide50
The 56th Southern Straits race will be Strum’s 10th Straits Race, and our 1st race of the year (after the Mar28 practice sail.
Div-0 ORC (APH≤615.0) will race the
Sisters Islets Course (100 nm) of,
West Van, Dunderave start,
Sisters Islets (to port),
Ballenas (to port),
Virtual Finish Line.
STRAITS SCHEDULE
Apr02
5:30pm WVYC Skippers Meeting
7:00 WVYC $29+t Crew Dinner
Apr03 Fr Southern Straits
0642 High Tide (14.14’)
0915-0945 Roll call check-in
1000 First Signal
3rd Start, ORC-0
1326 Low Tide (4.49’)
1600 30kt TWS/20kt BS
1946 Sunset
2010 High Tide (14.01’)
3. HALIBUT BANK (DISTANCE)
Sat Apr25, 2026 (WVYC)
Div 0, 1, 2 Halibut Bank
Div 3, 7 Popham Island
Confirmed Div-0 Boats
1. Strum, Riptide50
WVYC “Celebrate spring with a day of racing in beautiful Howe Sound and around the Strait of Georgia. The Halibut Bank course takes ORC Divisions 0, 1, and 2 south of Passage Island to the Halibut Bank ODAS buoy (aprox 34nm). This is a VARC event.”
10. COURSES
10.1. Halibut Bank Race
ORC Divisions 0, 1 & 2:
From the Start line, located approximately 0.5 nautical miles south of Passage Island, boats
will sail to the Halibut Bank Aid to Navigation at approximate location of 49 degrees 20.449’N
and 123 degrees 43.623’W, leaving it to port and return to the Finish line. The distance is
approximately 34 nautical miles.
HALIBUT SCHEDULE
Apr06 A3+4/main to North Sails
Apr22 A3+4/main+batten pick up
Apr23 Pack As/bone Js (SS/RV)
Apr24 2-6pm Main on/Prep Strum
MH/BL/SS/KV/RV
Apr25 Race Day
0211 High Tide (14.82’ Pt Atkinson)
0601 Sunrise
0700 Skipper car pool
0730 On Strum please
0800 ETD RVYC
0846 Low Tide (9.58’ PA)
0900 ETA Passage Is Start Area
0955 First Signal
1100 Delayed start
1253 High Tide (11.00’ PA)
1415 Strum 4th to finish
(ScatterAction/The Shadow/Zulu5)
1700 Beer/De-rig/Keel up
1800 Time Limit
1952 Low Tide (5.44’ PA)
2021 Sunset
4. ROUND BOWEN (DISTANCE)
Sat Jun13, 2026 (BIYC)
Div 0, 1, 2, 3, 7
Confirmed Div-0 Boats
1. Strum, Riptide50
*Confirmed after Apr26
TBD
CREW UNAVAILABLE
Reto Corfu (M242 Fleet Captain)
Ben Lightburn (X40)
Zach Thompson (M242 Polar Bear)
The Round Bowen Race is BIYCs most popular event. There are normally 100+ plus boats registered, and with only 1 start, makes it one of the largest single starts on the west coast. The race involves the circumnavigation of Bowen island and takes place on the 2nd Saturday in June. The race begins at 10:00am PDT, and the latest finishing time is 17:30 PDT same day.
0506 Sunrise
0600 Skippers carpool
0630 On Strum please
0700 ETD RVYC
0800 ETA BIYC
0830 Skippers meeting, BIYC
0950 Start Sequence
1000 One Start (100+ boats)
1400 Strum expected finish
1730 Time Limit
1800-2000 $20 BBQ & prizes.
1800-2200 live music by Black Molly
2000 Strum ETD BIYC
2100 Strum ETA RVYC Jericho
2119 Sunset
VARC SUMMER SERIES,
5. SUMMER (REGATTA)
Jul11-12, 2026 (VRC)
Div 0, 1, 2, 3, 7
Div-0 Long Course?
Confirmed Div-0 Boats
1. Strum, Riptide50
The 2026 Summer Regatta is set to sail on July 11th and 12th, and the Lobster Bash is back for Saturday evening July 11th! Mark your calendars for an unforgettable weekend of racing, fun, and festivities! Registration opens May 15th with special “early bird” pricing.
Strum will return to RVYC Jericho after racing. Carpool with skipper to the dinner if interested!
6. SOAR (REGATTA)
SQUAMISH OCEAN AREA RACING
Sat Jul18 only (SYC)
Div-0, 1, 2 Long Course
Div 3, 7 Short Course
Confirmed Div-0 Boats
1. TBD
7. EBS (DISTANCE)
ENGLISH BAY SCRAMBLE
Sat Aug15, 2026 (TCYC)
Div-0, 1, 2, 3, 7
Confirmed Div-0 Boats
1. Strum, Riptide50
Rouse your tacticians from their slumber and join in one of Vancouver's most popular, unique, and challenging races, this year with a slightly adjusted course layout (new port rules = fresh tactics!). After-party and awards in the private upstairs loft at Nuba Kitsilano, 3116 W. Broadway. Lots of great prizes to be won!
Start 11am Register at tiddlycove.bc.ca
VARC FALL SERIES,
8. SALISH SEA (DISTANCE)
Fri Sep11-13, 2026 (RVYC)
Div-0, 1 scored in VARC
Confirmed Div-0 Boats
1. Strum, Riptide50
2026 will be the 6th Annual Salish Sea Regatta, but the first time scored as a VARC event (thanks to skipper as Div-0 Rep). A unique multi-stage sailing race delivering three days of competitive sailing covering 85 nm of the Salish Sea, combined with fun social dock activities with your fellow racers. Here's a video from the 2025 race. RVYC invites you to be our guest, racing in some of the best venues the Salish Sea has to offer and experience the hospitality of two of our prized outstations. Members and non-members welcome. Enjoy some of the finest late-summer/early-fall sailing in B.C.’s south coast, combined with camaraderie and fun. (Rumour has it the always-entertaining, informal, laser match-racing in Silva Bay may take place once again). Strum crew capped at 8 due to sleeping berths. One spot available!
9. DEEP COVE (REGATTA)
Sep12-13, 2026 (DCYC)
Div 2, 3, 7 only
(Div 0, 1 do Salish Sea instead)
10. HSR (REGATTA)
HOWE SOUND REGATTA
Sep26-27, 2026 (WVYC)
Div 0, 1, 2, 3, 7
Div-0 Long Course?
Confirmed Div-0 Boats
1. Strum, Riptide50
Join us for WVYC's premier fall sailing event. WVYC will hold two separate regattas: the original VARC Howe Sound Regatta and a One Design Regatta. The Howe Sound Regatta will host two days of distance racing and the One Design regatta will host two days of round the cans. Saturday evening post racing we invite you all to come back to the West Vancouver Yacht Club for an evening of entertainment. The evening kicks off at 6pm. Strum will register when 10 crew are confirmed.
11. FRLS (DISTANCE)
FRASER RIVER LIGHT SHIP
Sat Oct04, 2026 (RVYC)
Div 0, 1, 2 - S1 Long Course
Div 3, 7 - T10 Short Course
Confirmed Div-0 Boats
1. Strum, Riptide50
The FRLS is a classic fall distance race, traditionally hosted by the RVYC. The current race course leaves English Bay, rounds a buoy near where the lightship was stationed, and returns to English Bay. Last VARC Distance event for 2026.
12. VARC CLOSER (REGATTA)
Sat Oct17, 2026 (KYC)
Div 0, 1, 2, 3, 7
Div-0 Long Course?
Confirmed Div-0 Boats
1. Strum, Riptide50
Was an RVYC event, now hosted by KYC. This Regatta is THE last VARC sailing event of 2026. Details not available yet.
13. VARC DINNER (AWARDS)
Fri Mar13, 2026 ($75 RVYC)
THE last VARC event for 2026
All 2026 Div-0 skippers & crew welcome (+1)
Attending,
1. Strum, Riptide50 skipper & crew
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RATINGS
RATING, ORC 2026
https://data.orc.org/public/WPub.dll/CC/03430004IKB
https://data.orc.org/public/WPub.dll/CC/221878
RATING, PHRF-BC 2026
https://www.bcsailing.bc.ca/PHRF/bc_fleet_list_printable_by_rating.php
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VARC DIV-0 REPRESENTATIVE 2026
Randy Vogel
Owner, Riptide50 Strum
[email protected]
c604-889-5589
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VANCOUVER BIG BOAT SERIES 2026
VARC-SPRING SERIES
1. VARC Opener
2. Southern Straits
3. Halibut Bank
4. Round Bowen
VARC-SUMMER SERIES
5. Summer Regatta
6. English Bay Scramble (EBS)
7. SOAR
VARC-FALL SERIES
8. Salish Sea Regatta
9. Fraser River Light Ship
10. Howe Sound Regatta (HSR)
11. VARC Closer
12. VARC Awards (RVYC)
VIRS=Vancouver Island Racing Series
1. Patos Island
2. Round Saltspring
3. Swiftsure
4. Lasqueti Regatta
5. Sailing In Nanaimo (SIN)
WES=RVYC Wednesday Evening Series
May; Apr29, May 6, 13, 20
June; May 27, Jun 3, 10, 17
July; June 24, July 1, 8, 15
August; July 23, 29, Aug 5, 12
Sept; Aug 19, 26, Sep 2, 9.
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VANCOUVER BIG BOAT SCHEDULE 2026
Mar21 Patos (VIRS)
Mar28 Opener (VARC-Spring)
Apr03 Straits (VARC-Spring)
Apr25 Halibut (VARC-Spring)
+
Apr29 Wednesdays (start)
1. May, Apr29, May 6, 13, 20
2. June, May 27, Jun 3, 10, 17
3. July, June 24, July 1, 8, 15
4. August, July 23, 29, Aug 5, 12
5. Sept, Aug 19, 26, Sep 2, 9.
+
May09 SailPast (RVYC & WVYC)
May16 Saltspring (VIRS)
May23 Swiftsure (VIRS)
May30 Lasqueti (VIRS)
Jun06 SIN (VIRS)
Jun13 Bowen (VARC-Spring)
Jul11 Regatta (VARC-Summer)
Jul18 SOAR (VARC-Summer)
Aug15 EBS (VARC-Summer)
Sep09 Wednesdays (end)
Sep11-13 Salish (VARC-Fall)
Sep26 HSR (VARC-Fall)
Oct03 FRLS (VARC-Fall)
Oct17 Closer (VARC-Fall)
Nov7-8 Round The County (OIYC)
Nov13 VARC Dinner (@$75 RVYC)
Host club determines date/Div-0 course. Please apply for each Series separately.
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Where is it happening?
Bowen Island Yacht Club - BIYC, 892 Prometheus Pl, Bowen Island, BC V0N, CanadaEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.
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