Yachting New Zealand actively seek to improve and maintain the quality of judging, umpiring and race management by providing courses, training and forums to keep aspiring and active race officials educated and informed.
The current calendar of scheduled Race official Courses (i.e. Club Race Officer) and any related events (i.e. Race Officer Conferences and NRO Seminars) can be found on Yachting New Zealand's Embark Online Learning Platform.
For all scheduled upcoming in person and online courses and seminars, visit our Course Calendar.
Transfer to Embark "On Line Learning" here to access or register
Here are the different types of courses we offer:
Introduction to Race Officiating
Cost: Free for club members
The online Introduction to Race Officiating course provides an introduction to the concepts and knowledge required to become a qualified race official (race officer, judge or umpire) or competent on-water volunteer.
The Introduction to Race Officiating course is delivered online, on-demand via Yachting New Zealand's Embark learning platform. The course consists of 4 short modules:
- Race Officials - the four types of race officials, qualifications and other supporting roles on the race course.
- Organising races - learn about running racing and the documents that support racing.
- Visual signals - learn about visual signals that are used to communicate with competitors before or during racing.
- Vital rules - learn some of the fundamental rules, vital boat-on-boat rules and what happens when rules are broken.
Transfer to Embark "On Line Learning" to access the online course.
Club Race Officer
Cost: Free for club members
The online Club Race Officer course aims to provide the knowledge and skills required to ensure quality, consistent and fair race management for sailors. Completion is a requirement for appointment and renewal as a YNZ qualified Club Race Officer, but it is also suitable for any sailors and volunteers who would like to understand more about how races are run.
The Club Race Officer course is delivered online, on demand via Yachting New Zealand's Embark learning platform.
Transfer to Embark to access the online course.
Once completing the online course, if you wish to apply to become a Club Race Officer, complete the application below and email it to kirsten@yachtingnz.org.nz
National Race Officer Seminar
This seminar will train and develop club race officers to become National Race Officers, as well as continue to upskill current National Race Officers. Attendance will be a requirement for appointment and renewal as a YNZ-qualified National Race Officer.
There will be two seminars scheduled this winter, when dates have been confirmed the registration links will be here.
Racing rules course
Cost: Free
This online rules course offers sailors, parents, coaches and beginners to judging an opportunity to become more familiar with the Racing Rules of Sailing, judging processes and the roles of judges. Attendees will gain knowledge about the rules (with a special emphasis on the rules in action).
Transfer to Embark to access the online course.
Club judging seminar
Duration: two days (over a weekend)
Cost: Free
These seminars are run regionally and focus on the skills and practices of judging and protest committees and include interactive exercises and mock protest hearings. This seminar is a prerequisite to appointment as a qualified club judge. Contact your regional development manager to register interest for a course in your area. Course outline
National judging seminar
Duration: two days (over a weekend)
Cost: Free
These seminars focus on the skills and practices of judging and protest committees and include interactive exercises and mock protest hearings. This seminar is a prerequisite to appointment as a qualified club or national judge. Course outline
Teams racing umpire seminar
Duration: two days, plus on-the-water assessment/evaluation
Cost: Free
These seminars are focused primarily on the Racing Rules of Sailing and practical components of umpiring including boat placement and making calls specific to teams racing. This seminar is a prerequisite to appointment as a club and national umpire - teams racing.
This seminar is held in the lead-up to the National Secondary Schools Teams Racing Regatta with on-the-water practical assessments/evaluations during the regatta for those wishing to gain their teams racing umpire qualification. Course outline
Match racing umpire seminar
Duration: two days
Cost: Free
These seminars are focused primarily on the Racing Rules of Sailing and practical components of umpiring including boat placement and making calls specific to match racing.
Race Officers conference
Duration: one day
Cost: Free
The Race Officers conference is held annually and is a chance for accredited Club, National and International Race Officers to get together to discuss race management issues and promulgate best practice.
The next Race Officers conference is scheduled on the Course Calendar. To sign up, go to Embark through the link below and find the event in the Race Officer Portal.
Judges Forum
Duration: one day
Cost: Free
The Judges forum is held annually and is a chance for accredited Club, National and International judges to get together to discuss judging issues and promulgate best practice.