In 2025 Waldringfield Sailing Club invested in a flight of 6 equally matched Firefly Dinghies which are now used for Team Racing.
As the name suggests Team Racing involves 2 teams of (usually) 3 boats each, racing each other around a compact course. Races are typically only around 10 minutes in length and the winners of each race are decided by which team has an aggregate score of 10 points or less. A combination of 1,2,6 is 9 points for example is a winning combination, whilst a combination of 1,4,6 is 11 points is a losing combination. The objective for an individual boat is no longer to be the first across the finish line, but rather to do whatever you can (legally) to get your team into an overall winning combination.
The racing is organised to complement WSC’s weekly fleet racing. We need a minimum number of people to take part (12 sailors for 3 on 3 team racing or 8 sailors for 2 on 2). The racing is fast, action packed and fun. It certainly sharpens up your boat handling, tactics and rules but you don’t need to have team raced before – it’s quick to pick up. All we ask is for people to commit in advance and turn up.
Whilst a big part of the UK team racing scene is university-based, we want members of all ages to take part. It’s a great way for parents and children to sail together and of course you don’t need to own a boat to take part. For young members thinking of continuing their sailing when they get to university, getting some experience in first is a no-brainer. For the rest of us older folk, it’s just great fun.
There is a small charge payable for each session – currently £5 per sailor per session – which helps the cost of maintaining the boats.
If you’re interested please join the WhatsApp group at https://chat.whatsapp.com/JiKo1uDDBO37v3V8wfFgQB
and you can sign up to team Racing sessions by adding your name to the google sheet found here
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1cX8Y4vdqigvuUjCavGWafcaMrJoIZk8MxL8x89VMNUc/edit?usp=sharing
If you’ve any questions or want to get involved either to sail or to help please contact Andy Bush on
