Volunteer Training

The Mark Laying & Buoy Zone workshop is designed for all on-water volunteers – from boat skippers and crews to sailors, or anyone keen to gain a better understanding of how race courses are set.

The session combines land-based theory with hands-on practice. You’ll learn about the different course types and marks used at BYS, and get introduced to Buoy Zone – a free mobile app (available on the App Store and Google Play) that provides GPS guidance for accurate mark placement.

The practical component takes place outdoors, where you’ll inflate and handle marks and anchors, and even lay out a mock course on the lawn. Don’t forget to bring a jacket if the weather is cool!

This workshop runs on the same mornings as the Race Officer Essentials Workshop, and we encourage participants to stay on for both – even if you’re not quite ready to take on a Race Officer role just yet.

Before attending

Completing the Mark Layer e-learning course beforehand is a great way to build your foundational knowledge and get the most out of the workshop.

Register here: Mark Laying & Buoy Zone Sat 24 October 2026

The Race Tower Team workshop is a great introduction to race management for volunteers who are keen to help from the shore. The tower team works alongside the Principal Race Officer (PRO) and plays an important role in monitoring competitors and supporting safety throughout racing.

You’ll learn about the role of the tower team, including:

• Tracking boats leaving and returning to shore and checking them against the sign-on list
• Monitoring the course area throughout racing
• Keeping track of boats that retire and return to shore
• Assisting with recording finishing times
• An introduction to results data entry for those interested in developing their skills further

The Race Tower Team also includes the radio operator, who has additional responsibilities supporting communication between the race tower, on-water teams and other relevant parties.

Good eyesight and hearing are helpful for the role. Sailing knowledge is useful but not required, making this a great opportunity for anyone new to race management.

Before attending

The Australian Sailing e-learning courses Race Officer – Committee & Finish Boat and Scorer are recommended before attending. These provide useful background on the tasks and processes involved in the tower team role.

Register here: Race Tower Team Workshop Sun 25 Oct 2026

The Race Officer Essentials Workshop is recommended for all start boat and course boat volunteers, Race Officers and OODs looking to refresh or refine their knowledge, and sailors wanting to gain a racing advantage by understanding how a Race Officer operates.

This classroom-based session is designed to provide you with the skills and confidence to be proficient at the Club Race Officer level. Topics include:

• Roles on the committee boat

• Starting and finishing procedures

• Key racing rules and their application

• Race Officer tasks before, during, and after racing

• Course options at Blairgowrie and how to select locations

• Monitoring conditions throughout racing

• The On-Water Emergency Response Guidelines

It’s the essential introduction (or refresher) for anyone involved in race management. The workshop is held on the same day as the Mark Laying & Buoy Zone Workshop, and we encourage you to take part in both.

Before attending
Completing the e-learning courses Committee & Finish Boat and Race Officer is highly recommended, to strengthen your knowledge and help you get the most out of the session.

Register here: Race Officer Essentials Sat 7 Nov 2026

This workshop is designed for current or aspiring Principal Race Officers who want to build their confidence in managing racing and responding to safety incidents from the tower.

The first part of the session focuses on race management from the tower, including:

• The importance of effective volunteer briefing and being prepared for the day
• Selecting appropriate courses for keelboat and off-the-beach fleets considering the weather conditions
• Shortening course procedures
• Finishing procedures

The second part focuses on the PRO’s role during a safety incident, including the chain of command, when and how to escalate an emergency response, and the resources and support available to the PRO.

Before attending

Completing the Australian Sailing Race Officer – Introduction e-learning course is recommended before attending. This will provide a useful foundation and help you get the most out of the workshop.

Register here: PRO Race Management & Safety Sat 5 Dec 2026

The Start Boat Procedures Workshop is perfect for anyone interested in joining the start boat team or learning more about how races are started and finished at BYS. No prior experience is necessary – just bring your enthusiasm and a willingness to get involved. It’s also a great option for anyone keen to volunteer in sailing without taking on a physically demanding role.

This practical workshop will cover:

• Flags, timekeeping, scribing, and the step-by-step procedures used for starting and finishing races

• What to expect during a day volunteering on the start boat team, including what to wear

• A walk-through of our start boats and equipment

• How the role relates to start box team members, who carry out similar tasks from shore

We also encourage existing start boat and start box volunteers to attend as a refresher and to get up to speed with new updates and changes. It’s an excellent way to stay confident in your role and continue supporting our racing program.

Before attending

Completing the e-learning course Committee & Finish Boat is recommended to complement the workshop and build your foundational knowledge.

Register here: Start Boat Procedures Sat 6 Feb 2027

The VHF Radio Refresher Workshop is open to all volunteers and sailors keen to sharpen their knowledge and build confidence in using marine radios. It is especially valuable for those who already hold a Marine Radio Operator’s Certificate of Proficiency (VHF licence) but have limited hands-on experience, as well as those interested in learning more before pursuing their certificate in the future. Please note this workshop does not replace the Certificate of Proficiency exam.

Confident radio skills are essential for every sailor, skipper, and crew member. You never know when you may need to relay an urgent message, respond in an emergency, or assist with on-water coordination.

This workshop will cover:

• Basic operation and functions: channel selection, squelch, volume, and lock

• Performing a radio check and understanding radio protocol and language

• Routine calling procedures and distress calling procedures

• BYS race day procedures: channels in use, race management radio calls for volunteers, the role of the tower radio operator, logkeeping, and emergency response

• Familiarisation with BYS radio equipment

We also encourage existing volunteers who regularly use radios on race day to attend as a refresher. It’s a great way to stay current with BYS procedures and practise your skills in a supportive environment.

Before attending

We recommend participants familiarise themselves with the Marine VHF Radio Operators Handbook, produced by the Office of Maritime Communications, Australian Maritime College, on behalf of the Australian Communications and Media Authority. The handbook is available here: Marine VHF Radio Operators Handbook.

Register here: VHF Radio Refresher Sat 13 March 2027

Do you enjoy working with detail and want to play an important role on race days at BYS? We’re looking for volunteers who are keen to become proficient in scoring and results entry.

Working as part of the Race Tower Team, the results volunteer uses Sailing Results to enter race data and produce accurate results. It’s not a difficult role, but it does require focus, care and attention to detail. It’s also helpful if you’re prepared to take on the role regularly throughout the season.

We’ll provide one-on-one or small group training to help you become familiar with Sailing Results and confident in the role. The Australian Sailing Scorer e-learning course is also helpful for learning scoring terminology and understanding the rules behind race results.

Interested in helping with results on race days? Get in touch with the Sailing Office and we’ll arrange a training session.

Register your interest here: Scoring & Results Entry Workshop