Welcome back to another Fall season of MudRatz 420 sailing!
The MudRatz are back in action for Fall 2023! Niantic Bay Yacht Club is graciously hosting us again. Registration is LIVE.
Optis (9AM-12PM) and 420s (1-4PM) will be practicing on the following Saturdays:
9/9
9/16
9/23
9/30
10/6 (rainday to cover for cancelled sessions)
10/14
10/21
Start times are “ready and rigged” times. So please arrive at least 30 minutes earlier, but preferably more.
Costs will be the same as previous sessions: $175 plus mandatory Mudratz membership. $30 for a MudRatz pinnie with sailor’s name on it if you don’t already own one.
Final (travel) event will be Halloween Howl in Newport RI on 10/28 and 10/29.
Thanks and please forward to anyone else who might be interested.
Best,
Jonathan Rodgers
860.536-4829
An annual membership with the Mudratz is required now to be part of our team.
Mudratz Membership Link
What to expect and prepare your 420 sailors for next…
Please understand that our team is not a learn to sail group… we are a learn to race group and trap/spin experience is preferred. Most kids start on our team after enjoying a season of racing 420’s to some extent before. During the first practice, your child will be evaluated. If it seems they need more coaching to get up to speed with the group we may refer you to private lessons or suggest waiting a season.
Check out our growing FAQ page!
While we can try to pair kids up, it’s much easier to join the team with a partner in mind. If your child does not have a partner or boat we will invite them to the first practice to see if we can pair them up with someone else.
Boats, Gear, and Volunteers…
We expect each team to bring their own 420’s. Storage space will be provided at the host club site for free. Charter boats might be available on a very limited basis from season to season.
Please make sure kids are dressed for sailing (drysuits, smocks, gloves, boots, hats) as we sail in ALL weather, rain, wind, snow, and sun. Please send each child with a snack and water-bottle as well. Please, NO PLASTIC SINGLE USE WATER BOTTLES. Each season we see kids become limited by the clothes they have… dress your child for success… you would not send them onto the ball field without cleats!
Kids should be rigged and ready to launch BY the start of practice each day, we are not paying coaches to help rig, so please get the kids there early enough to be ready to sail on time.
Please ask how you can help… we are a volunteer team and there is always something that needs to be done each week. Thank you for being part of our team. We really hope to create a good experience for all the kids!
MudRatz Mission statement: The mission of the MudRatz is to complement local youth sailing programs by enabling sailors to improve as a team and travel around the world.