Logistics
Additional Racing Resources
How to Do Charleston Race Week at Patriots Point
Each year, about 20 to 30 percent of Charleston Race Week participants are brand new to the event — and we love that. Whether it’s your first time or your fifteenth, the below information is here to help you navigate the experience with ease. From logistics to local tips, think of it as your Race Week playbook — designed to take the guesswork out of what to expect and how to make the most of your time on and off the water.
Like A Racer
First time racing Charleston? Or, just need a refresher? Here’s a quick guide to help you navigate launching, hauling, supplies, and everything in between — so you can focus on what matters most: racing.
WHERE TO LAUNCH + HAUL
Each year, we work closely with local yacht clubs, boatyards and other facilities to make sure launching and hauling are smooth, accessible, and affordable for all trailerable boats. Planning ahead is key, so be sure to join our email list and check the Logistics section of the Race Hub for the latest and most up-to-date information on launch sites, schedules, and support services, as well as special offers come up that may help make the event more economical to participate.
WHERE TO STAY?
Check out our Accommodations section for basic assistance on where to stay when racing in Charleston, or contact Zig Travel for discounted hotel availabilities and customized travel packages for sailing teams. There are always more options on Charleston Area Visitors’ and Convention Bureau website too!
NEED SAIL REPAIR?
If you blow out a kite or tear a seam in your mainsail, not to worry, we’ve got you covered. There are two sailmakers that operate in Charleston year-round. Evolution Sails will have a repair pickup location on site. Learn more.
NEED GEAR?
Forgot your spray top? Need a new ratchet block? No worries. Several of our sponsors will be set up on site to assist with issues just like those. Team One Newport, a longtime Race Week sponsor, has all the wearables that you’ll need, and a number of equipment suppliers will be exhibiting and selling merchandise at the event, including B&G, New England Ropes and Bainbridge.
WHEN AT THE USS YORKTOWN, WHERE CAN YOU PARK?
The parking lot at USS Yorktown Patriots Point is available while at our event.
NEED LUNCHES EACH DAY?
Harris Teeter, Whole Foods and Jimmy Johns are on Houston Northcut Blvd not far from Patriots Point.
HOW FAR AWAY IS THE AIRPORT?
The Charleston International Airport is just 20 minutes’ drive from our event headquarters. You can arrange an Uber, take a cab, or pick up a rental car all right there on site.
If this is your first time racing Charleston, take a few minutes to review the additional resources listed above — they’ll help you navigate everything from launching logistics to post-race socials like a pro.
Like A Local
There’s a reason that Charleston is the No. 1 tourist destination in the country; several reasons in fact. And if you come to Race Week, you don’t want to leave without sampling some of the city’s highlights.
HISTORIC CHARLESTON
Downtown Charleston is rife with historic homes and buildings. It’s also home to 65 public parks. Even if you only walk around for 30 minutes, you’ll be charmed by the quaint abodes and impressive mansions that dot the peninsula. A good way to see historic Charleston is to rent a bicycle or take a carriage tour. And, you don’t even have to get in your car because the Charleston Water Taxi runs from the marina adjacent Race Week’s headquarters, right across the harbor to the city.
RESTAURANT MANIA
You may already know that Charleston is a foodie’s paradise. The restaurant scene here rivals that of most major cities in the U.S. According to the Washington Post, “Eating well is almost a birthright here in the Lowcountry.” Take the time to look around and you’ll discover high-end restaurants, outdoor cafes, fresh-from-the-dock seafood, and more accomplished chefs than a Cordon Bleu conference.
GOLF GALORE
The great thing about golf is that it doesn’t conflict with sailboat racing. You can’t play golf when it’s windy (well, you can’t play well) and you can’t sail when there’s no wind. So, if there’s a lay day, or you extend your trip to Charleston by a day, there’s plenty of golf to check out. In fact there’s a course right next door to the regatta headquarters site. So bring your clubs.
LAY DAY ACTIVITIES
And if the wind gods do decide to take a haitus one day, there are lots of alternative activities to keep you busy. Only a half mile from the regatta headquarters, there’s a multiplex theatre with movie showings beginning as early as 11:00 a.m. If something more active is your preference, sample some go cart racing just a few miles out Highway 17 at Blackbeard’s Cove Family Fun Park. You can also rent kayaks or standup paddleboards at one of three nearby outfitters on Shem Creek.
So, if you’re coming to Charleston Race Week at Patriots Point for the first time, take a few moments to get the lay of the land by checking out some of these options online.
What You Also Need to Know On The Water
LOCAL KNOWLEDGE
For many competitors at Charleston Race Week at Patriot’s Point, tidal current is the biggest local factor to understand. Charleston Harbor’s tides can be deceptively strong — especially if you’re not used to sailing in current-heavy conditions.
To help racers get a handle on the harbor, we team up with the College of Charleston Sailing Program to offer a Local Knowledge Briefing the day before racing begins. Led by College of Charleston coaches who spend countless hours on this water, these sessions are a must for anyone looking to sharpen their edge.
COURSES + CONDITIONS
Charleston Race Week takes place in the spring — a transitional time for the sea breeze. Barring any major weather systems, racers can usually count on a steady southwesterly breeze developing around midday.
Except for one offshore course (used for larger classes), all racecourses are set within Charleston Harbor, typically in the South Passage between James Island and Shutes Folly. While this area is relatively protected, it can still kick up a steep chop — especially if the wind is blowing against the current, particularly from the east or northeast.
Though there are shallow mud flats near the shoreline, the harbor’s most significant navigational hazard is Middle Ground— a rocky shoal located about a quarter mile south-southeast of Shutes Folly. It’s especially relevant for boats racing on Circle 2.
SAFETY + SUPPORT
Safety is a top priority at Charleston Race Week at Patriots Point. We work closely with the Charleston Harbor Pilots Association to keep all racers informed of commercial ship movements — a vital consideration, as Charleston ranks as the ninth-busiest port on the East Coast.
We also partner with Roper St. Francis Healthcare to provide on-site emergency medical coverage. Paramedic teams are stationed and on-call throughout every hour of on-the-water activity to ensure rapid response when needed.