On Saturday, September 25, 2021 this more than exciting race begins at 0800 at Baker Beach.
Papillon at Mile Rocks Double-handed Farallones Race 2015 © Erik Simonson
Here is a great interview with a local San Francisco sailor Dave Wilhite about the 2020 Double Handed Farallones Race. “This race is a test of human and boat not to be taken lightly.”
Hands down, sailing out under San Francisco’s fabled Golden Gate Bridge is one of the coolest experiences that any sailor can have. Not only is the scenery dramatic, but once you're a few miles out, the onshore world melts away and you’re immediately into offshore sailing conditions.
While this experience is magical aboard any boat and with (almost) any crew, the feeling likely compounds itself when there are just two crewmembers onboard, surrounded by the rugged California coastline, and, after some time, the wide-open Pacific Ocean.
If this sounds enticing, the 58 nautical mile Double Handed Farallones Race could be the next addition to your bucket or annual to-do list of sailing events. The event, which is organized by the San Francisco Bay Area Multihull Association, begins just off of the Golden Gate Yacht Club (GGYC) and takes the fleet of monohulls, catamarans and trimarans out and around the Southeast Farallon Islands (skippers can opt to round in either direction) and returns to a finishing line off of the GGYC.
Given that the race is held annually in the early days of spring, skippers and crews must be prepared for conditions ranging from light zephyrs to heavy airs and accompanying seas. (If this is starting to sound like a great doublehanded adventure, you’re on the correct tack.)
I checked in with Dave Wilhite, race chair of the Double Handed Farallones Race (Saturday, March 28), via email, to learn more about this year’s event.
Can you explain the race’s culture to the uninitiated?
The Double-handed Farallones [DHF] race is a rite of passage for sailors on the Bay. We know people who buy boats and learn to sail with the hopes that they’ll be confident enough in their skills to one day race the DHF.
The shorthanded nature of the race makes it a stepping stone towards ocean competence. And then, for the experienced ocean veterans in the fleet, it gives them a chance to stretch their legs at the beginning of the season.
This race is a test of human and boat not to be taken lightly.
In your mind, what are the racecourse’s toughest segments (or biggest challenges)?
The whole thing! The wind and wave state can vary a lot over the course, usually with light winds in the morning building to blustery conditions by the mid-afternoon. You have to pace yourself and stay aware of the conditions, not just the wind and wave state, but also stay self-aware of your comfort level on the boat, and communicate with your crew to make sure you are taking enough little breaks to stay in top shape all day.
This race and many others are hosted by San Francisco Bay Multihull Association. SFBAMA.
This club does a great job! Good events, great members, and lots of support.
BAMA is the primary organization supporting multi-hull racing, cruising, and safety in Northern California. As well as organizing multi-hull racing and cruising events, BAMA is the official source of Multihull PHRF Rating Certificates in Northern California. To race in Northern California regattas open to multihulls, your need a rating certificate issued by BAMA.
