Archbishop Riordan Sailing
SEA OTTER REGATTA · OCTOBER 3–4, 2026
Meet us on the Monterey shore. Watch the racing, cheer on the Crusaders, and discover where Riordan Sailing could take you.
An independent guide from Riordan sailing families.
Come watch with us · October 3–4, 2026
Curious about Riordan Sailing? Bring your family, find a spot on shore, and watch high school teams put teamwork into motion. You don’t need to know the rules to enjoy the racing—or to imagine yourself in the boat.
All times Pacific. Racing is weather-dependent; check the official notice board for changes.
Directions to the wharfWatch from the end of Municipal Wharf #2 or Del Monte Beach. Racing takes place roughly half a nautical mile offshore, so binoculars are a good idea. Keep launch and boat-rotation areas clear.
Bring warm layers, sun protection, water, and a beach chair. Chairs and shade structures are permitted only on the beach; no tents, shade structures, or banners on the wharf.
Paid parking is available on Wharf #2, beside the boatyard, and by the Monterey Marina. Follow posted signs. The MPYC clubhouse is closed to nonmembers during this event; activities are outdoors.
Thinking about sailing at Riordan in the future? Email our parent volunteers before you come so we can help you connect with our families on shore.
Contact Riordan sailing familiesVisitor details: 2026 Notice of Race and Coach Brent’s September 28 update. This is a spectator invitation; sailor arrival and preparation times are separate.
NorCal opening weekend · September 26–27Richmond Yacht Club · Silver fleet
What a start to the season. Riordan brought two boats to the opening NorCal weekend, and both finished in the top ten on Sunday.
2nd in the opening race
3rd in race two
Out of 36 boats · NorCal #2 · September 27, 2026
With 18-knot winds reported by the team and racing shortened to four races, the Crusaders kept working together and delivered a strong finish.
At NorCal #1, Kaia skippered with Leon Tan and Ben alternating as crew, finishing 10th of 38—tied on 67 points with 9th place before the tie-break. Paige and Charly finished 19th. Cheers to all five sailors who represented Riordan across the weekend.
Results: ISSA final standings. Sailor pairings and weekend recap: Patti’s September 28 team update. Action photo: J. Atwood.
The season is under way
The wind, the teamwork, the view from the water. A few moments from Riordan Sailing—and a little inspiration for the next generation of Crusader sailors.
2026–27 race calendar
Mark your calendar for the rest of the team’s current race schedule. Sea Otter’s visitor details are above; check each host’s event notice for viewing access and race times at later regattas. Dates follow Coach Brent’s September 17 matrix and September 28 Sea Otter update. Team participation and sailor assignments remain subject to coach updates.
Families: open the private Team Hub ↗These dates appeared in the preliminary PCISA calendar dated July 22, 2026. They are outside Riordan’s official fall-sport season and are not included in Coach Brent’s September 17 team matrix. Participation, coaching, travel, lineups, and event dates still require confirmation with Riordan Athletics, StFYC, and PCISA.
Most asked question
You do not need prior racing or high-school sailing experience to express interest. StFYC does require new sailors to have recent, relevant dinghy experience before participating in evaluations.
You do not need to arrive as an experienced racer—but you should arrive with recent dinghy experience, prepared to listen, learn, and perform the coach's instructions.
A sailing camp, clinic, or similar course can help build the boat-handling skills expected at evaluations. If you are completely new to sailing, ask StFYC which learn-to-sail or beginner pathway is appropriate before registering for an evaluation.
Explore StFYC youth sailing programs ↗Use the official channelsStart with Riordan Athletics and StFYC, introduce yourself, and ask which current pathway fits your experience now that the fall season is underway.
Confirm evaluation eligibilityAsk StFYC to confirm current eligibility and scheduling. New sailors should expect recent, relevant dinghy experience to be part of the participation requirements.
Prepare before you arriveOn-water experience matters, and preparation helps you make the most of it. Learn sailing terms, boat parts, rigging, knots, points of sail, tacking, and basic race concepts. Watch high-school sailing videos and be ready to listen and perform the coach's instructions.
Bring the right mindsetBe focused, coachable, mentally prepared, and a good sport. Complete each task, show genuine interest, and support the sailors around you.
St. Francis Yacht Club is the primary base. Depending on the practice plan, the team may also use Golden Gate Yacht Club or Coyote Point. Confirm the location for every session through official team communications.
Flying Juniors, commonly called FJs. They are double-handed dinghies with a skipper and crew, widely used in high school and college racing.
No prior racing or high-school sailing experience is required to express interest. However, StFYC currently requires new sailors to have recent, relevant dinghy sailing experience before participating in evaluations. Preparation, determination, coachability, and learning the terminology are important, but they do not replace the on-water experience requirement.
StFYC communicates outcomes directly to participants. Possible placements may include Varsity, Junior Varsity, Beginning or Learn to Race weekend courses, or a combination of a team and weekend course.
Keep sailing. StFYC may recommend Beginning or Learn to Race weekend courses, clinics, or another combination that builds experience for a future evaluation. A roster decision can be a starting point rather than the end of a sailor’s journey.
Attendance, accountability, sportsmanship, careful boat handling, and a team-first attitude. Sailors are expected to listen to coaches, respect teammates and family volunteers, help rig and de-rig efficiently, support substitutions, and contribute to a welcoming team.
Interested in the fall sport?
Watching a regatta is a great first step. If the boats, the teamwork, and the challenge spark your interest, explore Archbishop Riordan’s official fall sailing sport and the StFYC pathways that can help you get started.
Include every teammate, help new sailors learn, and build a program where people feel welcome on shore and on the water.
Show up, communicate, accept substitutions, help rig and de-rig, and put the team’s progress ahead of any one result.
Care for boats and sails, listen to coaches, support team parents, compete with sportsmanship, and leave every venue better.
FULL SENDWhy sail?
Sailing is athletic, social, technical, and strategic. It builds physical strength and agility while teaching physics, navigation, water safety, environmental stewardship, teamwork, and fast decision-making.
Competitive sailing has been part of the Olympic program since 1900—and high school racing brings that same blend of skill, speed, and teamwork to the Bay.
Archbishop Riordan fall sport · 2026
Archbishop Riordan Sailing is an official co-ed fall sport at Archbishop Riordan High School. The official fall program is conducted through the St. Francis Yacht Club High School Sailing Program, where Crusaders train with sailors from other San Francisco schools and race for Riordan.
PRIMARYSt. Francis Yacht Club
ALTERNATIVEGolden Gate Yacht Club
ALTERNATIVECoyote Point
Additional regattas may be coordinated primarily by parents, and interested Riordan sailors may still participate. These opportunities are outside the core fall-season plan and should be confirmed with the school and StFYC.
A day at a regatta
Regattas are full-team efforts. Details vary by venue and the official NOR/NOS and Sailing Instructions always control, but this is a useful picture of what families can expect.
Study the documentsReview the Notice of Race or Series, Sailing Instructions, course maps, arrival time, and coach updates before leaving home.
Rig as a teamUnload trailers, step the mast, rig the FJ, protect the Riordan race sail, change, eat, apply sunscreen, and attend briefings.
Settle in for the dayA common rhythm is arrival around 9:00–9:30, competitor briefing near 10:30, dock-out around 11:00, racing until about 4:30, then de-rigging, coach debrief, and awards. The official event documents always control.
Reset and refuelHydrate early, eat water-safe snacks, manage warm layers, and stay ready for changing wind, waves, sun, fog, or spray.
Leave it betterEveryone helps rinse, de-rig, lower masts, reload trailers, and care for the team sail and equipment.
Debrief togetherStay for the coach debrief and awards when required. Results are commonly posted on the ISSA live-score site.
Feel the pace
Quick decisions, clean teamwork, and plenty of spray. Press play for a glimpse of the action.
Follow the official path
This independent site does not enroll or select sailors, provide coaching, or govern the team. With the season underway, use Archbishop Riordan Athletics and StFYC for current participation, practice, and program guidance.
Start with Riordan AthleticsConfirm the official school-sport information and requirements.
Follow StFYCUse StFYC for current participation requirements, practice details, and official program information.
Prepare to contributeBuild relevant dinghy skills, learn the terminology, listen closely, and bring a team-first attitude.
THE SAILOR'S KIT
Practice locations, equipment needs, and event details can change. Confirm every session through official team communications.
Everything you need to know
St. Francis Yacht Club is the primary base. Practices may also take place at Golden Gate Yacht Club or Coyote Point, so families should confirm each session's location through official team communications.
Archbishop Riordan's official co-ed fall team trains through the StFYC High School Sailing Program alongside sailors from other participating San Francisco schools. At regattas, Crusaders compete for Riordan.
The team races Flying Juniors, or FJs—responsive, double-handed dinghies widely used in high school and college sailing. Each boat has two sailors working as skipper and crew.
The current 2026 StFYC high school program runs through November 13. Fall practices are normally held twice each week.
Program space is limited and coach evaluations determine Varsity, Junior Varsity, Beginning, Learn to Race, or combined placements. If a sailor is not placed on the fall roster, StFYC courses and clinics can provide a constructive path to keep building experience.
Know the parts of an FJ, how to rig and de-rig, basic boat handling, points of sail, race fundamentals, knots, roll tacks, and how to respond safely to coaching instructions. Recent dinghy experience is required for new-sailor evaluations.
Additional regattas may be parent-coordinated opportunities for interested Riordan sailors. They are not part of the official school fall schedule; participation and status should be verified with Riordan Athletics and StFYC.
RiordanSailing.org is a family-organized informational resource that promotes Archbishop Riordan and helps families navigate StFYC. It is not the school, a team authority, a sailing school, or an official publication.
Riordan Athletics is the authority for school-team status and requirements. StFYC is the authority for coaching, registration, evaluations, practices, and its high school sailing program.
Use Archbishop Riordan Athletics for the official school-team page, status, and school requirements.
Riordan Athletics ↗Use StFYC for official coaching, registration, evaluations, practices, program details, and beginner clinics.
StFYC High School Sailing ↗For informal, family-to-family questions about this guide, reach the volunteers who maintain this independent site.
RiordanSailing@gmail.com ↗Take it with you
This QR code opens RiordanSailing.org—an independent guide with current dates, preparation tips, photos, and direct links to the official Riordan Athletics and StFYC programs.
This guide supplements official information; it does not replace instructions from Archbishop Riordan High School, Riordan Athletics, or StFYC.
RIORDANSAILING.ORGINDEPENDENT INFO · OFFICIAL LINKS
2025From the archive
The 2025 team trained, traveled, and competed across a full slate of Bay Area and California regattas. Those materials are preserved as team history—not as the current season schedule.