VARC Div-0 Series 2026 (13 Events/NEXT Jul11 Summer Regatta)

NEXT EVENT
Sat July 11th (only) VRC Summer Regatta
"Div 0 & 1 will be having one mid distance race on July 11 instead of multiple short course races. All other races remain as planned."
Registered Div-0 boats
Ultraman III
Strum
------------------------------------
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 (4 events)
VARC-Summer Series (3 events)
VARC-Fall Series (5 events).
VARC-SPRING SERIES
1. Mar28 Opener (RVYC/Regatta)
2. Apr03 Straits (WVYC/Distance)
3. Apr25 Halibut (WVYC/Distance)
4. Jun13 Bowen (BIYC/Distance)
VARC-SUMMER SERIES
5. Jul11 Summer (VRC/Regatta)*
6. Jul18 SOAR (SYC/Distance)
7. Aug15 EBS (VRC/Distance)
*Next Event
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.
————————————————-
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.
-
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.
————————————————-
CREW
CREW CALL
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.
CREW COMMITMENTS
Select GOING if you can commit.
Select INTERESTED if you cannot commit now, but maybe later.
Comment if/when available & boat preference if any
SKIPPER COMMITMENTS
Your name & boat will appear when registered
Comment if you have a crew position available
Skippers can select GOING, for easier communications
-
FACEBOOK RESPONSES**
2026 VARC SERIES
GOING (10)
1. Vancouver Big Boat Fleet (host)
INTERESTED (6)
1. TBD
-
BOAT ATTENDANCE (by WhatsApp Poll)**
From 2026 WhatsApp Poll
TBD
————————————————-
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’)*
*=Pt Atkinson tides
2. SOUTHERN STRAITS (DISTANCE)
Good Friday Apr03, 2026 (WVYC)
WVYC.ca/on-the-water/racing/southern-straits
Registered Div0-2 Sisters Islets Boats
1. Afterglow, B36.7 Greg Overton
2. All of It, SC70 Ben Mumford*
3. Allons-Y, B36.7 Carl Richardson
4. Arietta, XP44 Cedric Burgers*
5. Celerity, Hobie33 Robert Quade
6. Cheekee Monkee, F45RC Kim Alfreds*
7. Chinook, Cal39 Noah Walcutt
8. Diva, J109 Jim Prentice
9. Double Time, J109 John Polglase
10. Elbows Up! Soverel33 AJ Hesford
11. Firewing, B30 Lindsey Lind
12. Hana Mari, Wylie43 Ged McLean
13. Havoc, SR33 Joey Drake
14. Legacy, J109 John Peterson
15. Lodos, J111 Tolga Cezik
16. Longboard, Riptide35 Peter Salusbury*
17. Mach II, Andrews77 Dan Sinclair*
18. Merlin, C&C115 Geoffrey Woad
19. New Haven II, Sean441 Tim Slater
20. Pheonix, XP44 Gord Wylie*
21. Rogues, Salona44 Theo Arsenault*
22. Sauvage, WC40S Walter Northfield
23. Scatteraction, RP55 Pat Dion*
24. Serendipity, J109 Tom Sitar
25. Sorceress, Aerodyne38 Jim Allan
26. Stargazer, B37.5 Virginia Gunn
27. Stiletto, J120 Chris Bradley*
28. Strum, Riptide50 Randy Vogel*
29. Syrena, Bravaria40 Lukas Chrostowski
30. The Fugitive, Farr1220 Ben Rummen
31. The Kodiak Express, E37 Jason Hofman
32. The Shadow, TP52 Peter McCarthy*
33. Ultraman III, S40 Jason Saunderson*
34. Volante, B40.7 Erik Lopston
35. Zulu5, GP42 Pete Gibbons*
*=VARC ORC Div-0 boats
This is the 56th Southern Straits race
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’)*
*=Pt Atkinson tides
3. HALIBUT BANK (DISTANCE)
Sat Apr25, 2026 (WVYC)
Div 0, 1, 2 Halibut Bank
Div 3, 7 Popham Island
Confirmed Halibut Bank Boats
1. 65 Red Roses, J111 Bruce Chan
2. Allons-Y, B36.7 Carl Richardson
3. Arietta, XP44 Cedric Burgers
4. Bandit, Tripp41 Jason Vandergaag
5. Chameleon, Synergy1000 Kevin Karaloff
6. Danu, B36.7 McGreet/Brandlmayr
7. Diva, J109 Jim Prentice
8. Fortissimo, GS40 Chris Ladd
9. Havoc, SR33 Joey Drake
10. Krikkit, Abbott36 Simon Hill
11. Legacy, J109 John Peterson
12. Magic#, J36 Adam Korbin
13. Moonshadow, J105 Stephen Snell
14. Salient, B40.7 Christof Marti
15. Scatteraction, RP55 Pat Dion*
16. Serendipity, J109 Tom Sitar
17. Sorceress, Aerodyne38 Jim Allan
18. Strum, Riptide50 Randy Vogel*
19. The Kodiak Express, E37 Jason Hofman
20. The Shadow, TP52 Peter McCarthy*
30. Through, Farr30 Andrew Hamilton
31. Ultraman III, S40 Jason Saunderson
32. Volante, B40.7 Erik Lopston
33. Zulu5, GP42 Pete Gibbons*
*=VARC Div-0 Boats
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
Apr25 Race Day
0211 High Tide (14.82’)*
0601 Sunrise
0846 Low Tide (9.58’)*
0900 ETA Passage Is Start Area
0955 First Signal
1100 Delayed start
1253 High Tide (11.00’)*
1400 ScatterA/Shadow/Z5/Strum)
1800 Time Limit
1952 Low Tide (5.44’)*
2021 Sunset
*=Pt Atkinson tides
4. ROUND BOWEN (DISTANCE)
Sat Jun13, 2026 (BIYC)
BIYC.bc.ca/racing/round-bowen-race/
Div 0, 1, 2, 3, 7
Confirmed Div-ORC Boats
65 Red Roses, J111 Bruce Chan
All of It, SC70 Ben Mumford*
Allons-Y, B36.7 Carl Richardson
Anemos, SC37 Paul Thompson
Arietta, XP44 Cedric Burgers*
Cheekee Monkee, F45RC Kim Alfreds*
Danu, B36.7 McGreet/Brandlmayr
Diva, J109 Jim Prentice
Fortissimo, GS40 Chris Ladd
Krikkit, Abbott36 Simon Hill
Mach II, Andrews77 Dan Sinclair*
Pheonix, XP44 Gord Wylie*
Redrob, C&C30 Richard Border
Salient, B40.7 Christof Marti
Scatteraction, RP55 Pat Dion*
Stiletto, J120 Chris Bradley
Strum, Riptide50 Randy Vogel*
The Shadow, TP52 Peter McCarthey*
Volante, B40.7 Erik Lopston
Z5, GP42 Pete Gibbons*
*=VARC ORC Div-0 boats
The Round Bowen Race is BIYCs most popular event. There are normally 100+ plus boats registered (125 as of Jun09/26), 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.
BOWEN SCHEDULE
Jun13 Race day
0506 Sunrise
0830 Skippers meeting, BIYC
0950 Start Sequence
1000 One Start (125+ boats)
1730 Time Limit
1800-2000 $20 BBQ & prizes.
1800-2200 live music by Black Molly
2119 Sunset
*=Pt Atkinson tides
2026 ORC RESULTS
Boat (Type/Helm/Elapsed/Corrected)
1. Zulu5 (GP42/Pete Gibbons/15:27:32/7:29:26)
2. All of it (SC70/Mumford/Allan/15:24:12/8:07:16)
3. Mach II (Andrews77/Daniel Sinclair/15:13:37/9:00:18)
4. Strum (Riptide 50/Randy Vogel/16:22:51/9:13:38)
5. Scatteraction (RP 55/Pat Dion/Mark Cloutier/RET)
2026 OVERALL RESULTS (130 boats registered/12 finished!)
Div Boat (Type/PHRF/Helm/Elapsed/Corrected)
1. PHRF2 Ferdinand/M24/Steve Fleckenstein/16:48:27/7:18:50)
2. PHRF1 Zulu5 (GP42/-36/Pete Gibbons/15:27:32/7:19:52)
3. PHRF2 Javelin (J88/84/Mark Gyton/17:07:11/7:39:43)
4. PHRF1 All of it (SC70/-69/Mumford/Allan/15:24:12/7:47:15)
5. PHRF1 65_Red Roses II (J11/36/Bruce Chan/16:46:25/7:55:08)
6. PHRF1 Usual Suspect (F30/42/David Cross/16:55:32/8:00:36)
7. PHRF1 Idiopathic (Farr 30/54/Darren Burns/17:05:10/8:01:28)
8. PHRF2 Ocean Pearl (M24/85/Kathy Parslow/17:29:05/8:02:29)
9. PHRF2 Diva (J109/62/JIm Prentice/17:18:49/8:10:05)
10. PHRF1 Scatteraction (RP55/-108/M Cloutier/15:16:51/8:19:53)
11. PHRF1 Mach II (Andrews77/-144/Dan Sinclair/15:13:37/9:02:09)
12. PHRF1 Strum (Riptide 50/-77/Randy Vogel/16:22:51/9:21:45)
VARC SUMMER SERIES,
5. SUMMER (REGATTA)
Sat July 11th, 2026 (VRC)
Div 0, 1, 2, 3, 7
"Div 0 & 1 will be having one mid distance race on July 11 instead of multiple short course races. All other races remain as planned."
Confirmed Div-0 Boats
1. Strum, Riptide50
2. Ultraman III
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
————————————————-
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
————————————————-
VARC DIV-0 REPRESENTATIVE 2026
Randy Vogel
Owner, Riptide50 Strum
[email protected]
c604-889-5589
———————————————
VANCOUVER BIG BOAT SERIES 2026
VARC SPRING SERIES 2026
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 2026
5. Jul11 Summer (VRC/Regatta)
6. Jul18 SOAR (SYC/Distance)
7. Aug15 EBS (VRC/Distance)
VARC-FALL SERIES 2026
8. Sep11 Salish (RVYC/Distance)
Sep12 Deep Cove (not Div-0/1)
9. Sep26 HSR (WVYC/Regatta)
10. Oct03 FRLS (RVYC/Distance)
11. Oct17 Closer (KYC/Regatta)
12. Nov13 VARC Dinner ($75 RVYC)
VIRS=Vancouver Island Racing Series 2026
1. Mar21 Patos Island
2. May16 Round Saltspring
3. May23 Swiftsure
4. May30 Lasqueti Regatta
5. Jun06 Sailing In Nanaimo (SIN)
WES=Wednesday Evening Series 2026
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.
————————————————-
VANCOUVER BIG BOAT SCHEDULE 2026
Mar21 Patos Island (VIRS)
Mar28 VARC Opener (VARC-Spring)
Apr03 Southern Straits (VARC-Spring)
Apr25 Halibut Bank (VARC-Spring)
+
Apr29 Wednesday Night Racing (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 Round Saltspring (VIRS)
May23 Swiftsure (VIRS)
May30 Round Lasqueti (VIRS)
Jun06 SIN (VIRS)
Jun13 Round Bowen (VARC-Spring)
Jul11 Summer Regatta (VARC-Summer)
Jul18 SOAR (VARC-Summer)
Aug15 EBS (VARC-Summer)
Sep09 Wednesday Night Racing (end)
Sep11-13 Salish Sea (VARC-Fall)
Sep26 HSR (VARC-Fall)
Oct03 FRLS (VARC-Fall)
Oct17 BARC Closer (VARC-Fall)
Nov7-8 Round The County (OIYC)
Nov13 VARC Dinner (@$75 RVYC)
Host club determines date/Div-0 course.