About PRSA

PRSA was founded over 50 years ago to provide a focal point for small boat sailing on the Potomac.  PRSA is a member of the CBYRA.   If you are new to the area or new to sailing, there is no better way to meet others with similar interests than through PRSA.  While PRSA is surprisingly affordable, it offers a sailing experience second to none. We hold more than 40 days of bona fide one-design racing every year --more than 150 races, with roughly 2,500 dinghy starts -- plus weekday evening races, clinics, and various fleet-sponsored activities.  We doubt there is any club on the Bay with a racing program as active as ours, and certainly nothing comparable to our low cost.  We hope you plan on sailing with us this year.  Read a summary of the history of the club here.  Our list of recent Commodores is now available for review,

Sailing Area

We sail out of the Washington Sailing Marina.   Our "upper course" is  1.5 miles up the river from the marina between Haines Point and Reagan National Airport and south of the 14th Street Bridge.  Our "lower course" is off of the powerplant at the north end of Old Town Alexandria.  The "cove" is the site of evening sailing and is off the docks and north of WSM.

Directions

The Washington Sailing Marina is just off of George Washington Parkway about 1.5 miles south of the Reagan National Airport (measured from the tower) and less than a mile north of Old Town Alexandria after Washington Street turns into the Parkway.  Look for the sign for Washington Sailing Marina, Dangerfield Island, and Potowmack Landing.   Park in the restaurant's parking lot and walk across the rows of boats in dryslips to reach the crane area, which is the center of activity.  See detailed directions.

Benefits Of PRSA Membership

The Race Program

PRSA’s racing program includes a Frostbite Regatta in March, a Spring Regatta on Memorial Day weekend, and the Leukemia Cup/President’s Cup weekend regatta in the fall.  In addition to these events, PRSA conducts two seven-week series that provide Sunday racing competition in the spring (April to June) and Fall (September to November).  PRSA and its constituent fleets conduct additional special events throughout the year.  Finally, PRSA also supports a winter Laser frostbite series from December to March (when the river isn’t frozen).

At the present time PRSA has eight active racing fleets of one-design sailboats participating in Potomac racing.  These are:  Albacores, Catamarans, Hamptons, Interlakes, Lasers, Lightnings, Mobjacks, and Penguins.  Additional one-design classes can be recognized as fleets when they have at least five boats as members.  Boat owners not in a fleet can participate by starting with a similar class.  However, PRSA does not do handicap scoring of races.

You and PRSA

PRSA is a local organization whose members own many types of sailboats and provide competition on all levels from absolute novice to national champion.  Membership in PRSA is required for participation in the Spring and Fall Series races on the Potomac.  In addition, PRSA offers the opportunity to compete in regional competition through the CBYRA high-point trophy series (CBYRA membership is required).

Running sailboat races, whether it be an America’s Cup or a Sunday race on the Potomac, takes money, effort, organization, and manpower.  Your membership  in PRSA is a vital contribution towards keeping sailing alive as a viable sport in Washington.

Each year at the end of March, PRSA publishes a membership handbook and directory called the Yellowbook.  This includes the racing schedule, the sailing instructions, and all PRSA members organized alphabetically and by fleet.

PRSA also has an email list for it members.  This email list is used by the officers to keep you informed of upcoming club events, reports on past events, and so on.   

PRSA acts as representative of the Washington sailing community in negotiations with the Park Service and the facilities contractor on all issues, including parking and launch fees, which affect use of the marina facility.  The owners of the boats of a given one-design class are organized into a fleet.  While PRSA itself runs most of the races on the Potomac River, its constituent fleets conduct the training activities for new and intermediate sailors and have additional social and racing functions.  In addition, PRSA’s insurance covers local fleet races under the PRSA umbrella.

To find out about discounts to PRSA members click here.

Social Activities

While PRSA social activities mainly focus on post-race tailgate parties after the Sunday races, there is also an annual business meeting/awards ceremony/party in November.   PRSA also puts together picnics, introduction to sailing seminars, rules seminars, and other events throughout the year.

Membership

PRSA dues are used primarily to fund operation and maintenance of three powerboats needed to conduct safe and efficient racing.  Other major expenditures cover insurance, the newsletter, trophies, and food and drinks for the regatta weekends. So join today! Just click here to get the Membership application.

Bylaws and Constitution

The Bylaws and our Constitution are available for your review.