2026 BMW Lasqueti Island Regatta

Regatta History &
Past Events

2026 BMW Lasqueti Regatta

We are delighted to share that the 2025 BMW Lasqueti Island Regatta was a tremendous success. Thanks to the enthusiasm, sportsmanship, and support of everyone involved, this year’s event was one of our most memorable to date. Building on that momentum, we are already looking ahead with great excitement to an even more successful Regatta in 2026.

We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to all participants, sponsors, volunteers, and supporters who contributed to making the 2025 BMW Lasqueti Island Regatta such a success. Your continued involvement and generous support are what make this event so special. We are especially grateful for the feedback we received. Your suggestions will be incorporated as we continue to refine and enhance the Regatta experience.

As we look forward to the 2026 BMW Lasqueti Island Regatta, we are pleased to announce that the Regatta will be hosted at our new clubhouse at Fairwinds Schooner Marina. This exciting new venue will provide a new setting for both racing and social gatherings, and we are confident it will elevate the experience for all involved.

We invite you to join us on May 29th, 30th, and 31st, 2026, for what promises to be another outstanding weekend of racing. We look forward to welcoming both returning and new participants as we continue to grow this wonderful event together.

NOTICE OF RACE

Schooner Cove Yacht Club Presents the
BMW LASQUETI ISLAND RACE

May 29- May 31, 2026

1.0

Rules and Eligibility/Ratings

1.1

The Regatta will be governed by ‘rules’ as defined in the Racing Rules of Sailing 2025-2028, as amended for Category 3 in 2026, the prescriptions of Sail Canada when they apply, the rules of PHRF-BC (where applicable), US Sailing Safety Equipment Requirements (SER) Coastal revised January 1, 2025, this Notice of Race and any subsequent Schooner Cove Yacht Club Sailing Instructions or SCYC Race Committee amendments.

1.2

Between civil sunset and sunrise, the “International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea” shall replace Part 2 of the RRS.

1.3

All boats participating in the Regatta must have a valid 2026 PHRF-BC Certificate, except as provided in 1.4.

1.4

Boats without a Certificate or non-rated boats must obtain at no charge a one-time SCYC Temporary Rating Certificate. Boats with a Temporary Rating Certificate will race in the Cruising Division. Information is to be supplied at time of registration in order for the Temporary Rating Certificate to be generated. Temporary ratings are valid for this event only and are not subject to appeal.

1.5

By participating in the event, the sailor grants SCYC the right to make, use, and show, at their discretion, any photography, audio and video recordings made at the venue or on the water without compensation.

2.0

Equipment Standards/Safety

2.1

All boats racing shall comply with Transport Canada minimum safety requirements for the appropriate vessel length.

2.2

Boats participating in the BMW Lasqueti Island Race must be equipped to US Sailing Safety Equipment Requirements (SER) Coastal (see link on registration web page). Random safety checks may take place pre or post race. The following changes to SER will apply:

2.1.2	It is recommended that hatch boards be attached to the boat with a lanyard, but not required.
2.4.4	Coated lifelines, and high molecular weight polyethylene (HMPE) lifelines, will be accepted (see clarification 2.9 multihull SERs).
3.1.2	Lifejacket leg or crotch straps, and the name of the boat or wearer’s name, are highly recommended, but not required (lifejackets on multihulls are required to have a knife).
3.1.4	Safety harnesses are recommended, but not required.
3.2.1	Jacklines are recommended, but not required.
3.6.2 and 3.6.4	are replaced with emergency flares as required by Canada Coast Guard.
3.7.1	A crew overboard sling or life ring is required along with a self igniting light.
3.7.2	A man overboard pole, or equivalent safety device, and related equipment is recommended, but not required.
3.8.1	It is recommended but not required that a boat have a permanent VHF radio. If it does, a non-masthead antenna is acceptable.
3.8.2	All boats must have a watertight, handheld VHF radio. It is recommended, but not required, that the radio have DSC/GPS/MMSI capability.
3.9	AIS is recommended but not required.
3.10.1	For multihulls a personal crew overboard beacon is recommended but not required.
3.16.2	The requirement of an EPIRB, or alternative device, is recommended but not required.
3.28	The requirement for boat safety diagrams is recommended but not required.
3.31	It is not required that all lifesaving equipment be marked with the yachts or wearer’s name.
4.3.2	Prescribed Certificates of crew members are recommended but not required.
	Be aware that Amendments have been made to the World Sailing Category 3 Monohull Offshore Special Regulations which are in force in BC. BC Sailing lists twenty (20) amendments on its web sight which should be consulted for clarity.

3.0

Registration/Entry Fee

3.1

Registration is only available online at scyc.ca/racing/bmw-lasqueti-island-regatta, and available to only the first 50 boats. Additional boats may be accepted at the discretion of the Race Committee.

3.2

The registration fee is as follows and is payable online: $135.00 per boat. The fee must be paid before your registration is complete.

3.3

You must provide a current certificate of insurance valid for racing covering public liability, property damage, personal injury or death, and shall not be less than $2,000,000 for each boat.

3.4

You must provide your current 2026 PHRF-BC Certificate if applicable.

3.5

Insurance and PHRF Certificates are to be provided electronically (scanned or a photograph is acceptable) at time of registration.

3.6

Each boat must provide a Crew Roster at time of registration or to the Race officer prior to the race. Copies of the Crew Roster Form are available at https://scyc.ca/bmw-lasqueti-island-regatta/ under ‘downloads’

3.7

Registration includes: 2 nights complimentary moorage for registered boats, Skipper’s Package, post-race chili and our legendary great prizes!

4.0

Sailing Instructions and Skipper’s Package

The Skipper’s Package will be given out upon arrival and will include the Sailing Instructions. The Sailing Instructions and this Notice of Race along with any amendments will be posted on the SCYC website starting May 25.

5.0

Skippers’ Meetings

Skippers’ Meeting for the BMW Lasqueti Island Race will be held at the Fairwinds Marina office at 0800 hours on Saturday, May 30.

6.0

Divisions

6.1

Division splits will be at the discretion of the SCYC Race Committee and will depend on the number and type of boats registered.

6.2

All boats with a SCYC Temporary Rating Certificate will be entered in the Cruising Division.

7.0

Racing Venue/Division Schedules/Scoring

7.1

The choice of direction around Lasqueti Island, whether clockwise or counter-clockwise, is at the sole discretion of the skipper. Gerald Island and Ballenas Islands must be kept to starboard on the outbound leg and to port on the inbound (return) leg. Both Fegen Islets and Finnerty Islets must be kept to port on a counter-clockwise course, and to starboard on a clockwise course. All vessels should note/write down their time as they pass due north of the light/marker that is north of Fegen Islets, in case there is a shortening of course. Any additional marks and other provisions will be announced at the Skippers’ Meeting and posted on the Official Notice Board.

7.2

The first warning signal will be at 0855. Multiple starts may be required based on divisions and/or registration numbers.

7.3

No finishes will be recorded after 0000 hours Sunday June 1.

7.4

Time on Distance scoring will be used for all divisions.

7.5

Race results will be posted on the Official Notice Board at SCYC the morning of May 31 and on the SCYC website.

8.0

Prizes

8.1

Prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place finishes in each division.

8.2

The Fairwinds Trophy will be awarded to the overall winner.

9.0

Moorage

9.1

Schooner Cove Yacht Club will provide complimentary moorage for registered boats for two nights.

9.2

Skippers will be called and/or emailed their assigned slip and how to enter that slip.

9.3

SCYC will do their best to meet all boats as they arrive. Boats may contact Fairwinds Marina on VHF channel 66A.

9.4

Additional moorage may be arranged prior to and after the weekend. If you have special moorage concern’s please contact SCYC (see below for contact information).

10.0

Food and Beverage

The Fairwinds Landing development is open at Fairwinds Schooner Cove Marina. This includes the Nanoose Bay Cafe Restaurant and Bar (250-468-0780), marina offices (marina@fairwinds.ca 250-468-5364) and the Fairwinds Residences for overnight accommodation (250) 802-4663.

General information is available at www.fairwinds.ca. Various food items for cooking are available at Café Coffee Shop. There is also a Quality Foods grocery store and Cascadia liquor outlet at Red Gap Centre approximately 10 minutes away by car.

11.0

Disclaimer of Liability and Waiver Form

11.1

Competitors participate in the Regatta entirely at their own risk. See RRS Rule 3, Decision to Race. The organizing authorities will not accept any liability for damage or personal injury or death sustained in conjunction with, prior to, during, or after the Regatta.

11.2

Each Skipper will be required to sign the Waiver and Release Form that is included as part of the online registration and may be submitted in a scanned or photographed form.

12.0

Advertising

12.1

SCYC may require boats to display advertising chosen and supplied by them for the duration of the Regatta.

13.0

Contact Information

John Collins, Regatta Chairman, at regatta@scyc.ca (250) 741-4178 / Claudia Hand, Regatta Registrar, at registrar@scyc.ca (250) 468-9256

14.0

REGATTA EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES

Fri. May 29 1600 – 2030 Registration Desk open
1730 – 2030 Dinner and reception on the Green
Sat. May 30 0700 A bagged breakfast, pickup at the event tent
0800 Skippers’ Meeting at Fairwinds Marina office
0855 Warning signal for the First Start
1800 – 0100 Post race chili at the event tent
Sun. May 31 0800 – 0930 Breakfast at the event tent
0930 – 1100 Awards Ceremony

DETAILS PROVIDED IN THE REGISTRATION PACKAGE

MOORAGE

Moorage and Visitor Information

Schooner Cove Yacht Club will provide complimentary moorage for registered boats Friday and Saturday night. For visiting boats, additional moorage may be arranged prior to and after the weekend by contacting the marina office at 250-468-5364. Fairwinds Marina will provide complimentary moorage for boats from the mainland if the skipper wishes to position their boat at Schooner Cove during the week ahead of the regatta. If you have special moorage concerns, please contact SCYC (see below for contact information). Marina Office hours are 7:00 am to 7:00 pm during the summer.
Registered boats will be advised of their assigned slip in advance of the regatta. When approaching Fairwinds Marina, call on 66A to announce your arrival. Volunteer wharfingers will assist you to find your slip and help you tie-up.

Visiting boats are requested to use garbage and recycling receptacles at the base of the ramp and in the parking lot. Showers and toilets are located beside the marina office at the top of the ramp. Overboard discharge is strictly prohibited in the marina, and a pump-out is available at no charge. Due to the number of boats and people at the Club during race weekend, some limitations may apply to normal marina services and amenities, such as water usage. Please note that camping on the docks or on marina property is not allowed. We ask all racers to do their part to help keep the docks and facilities clean, safe and pleasant for all.

There is a new restaurant at Fairwinds Marina, Nanoose Bay Cafe and Market. Click here for information Check hours of operation on website nanoosebaycafe.com or phone 250 468-0780.

A grocery store and Cascadia liquor outlet are located at Red Gap Centre, approximately 6 minutes away by car.

Questions can be directed to John Collins, Regatta Committee Chair, at scyc_regatta@scyc.ca.

Fairwinds and SCYC welcome you to Schooner Cove and hope you have a great race and a safe and memorable weekend!