The Singlehanded Sailing Society was conceived to provide a forum where sailors and others interested in the sport of singlehanded sailing could share their ideas and experiences. It is the intent of the SSS to make it possible for such sailors to compete in seaworthy sailing vessels of various types and designs on a fair and equitable basis. The purpose of the races is to provide an organized arena in which ideas, equipment, designs, and vessels specifically created, built, modified, or equipped for long distance singlehanded racing may be tested and evaluated through friendly sportsmanlike competition. The development of personal skill in singlehanded sailing is encouraged through sailing events and seminars.

The Society organizes seven regular annual races in and around the San Francisco Bay. These races are the Three Bridge Fiasco held in January, the Singlehanded Farallones in April, the Corinthian in May, the Half Moon Bay in August, the Richmond/South Beach in September, and the Vallejo 1-2 (singlehanded up Saturday, doublehanded back Sunday) in October.

Also, the Society organizes the Singlehanded TransPac from San Francisco to Kauai, Hawaii in even numbered years, and the Great Pacific Longitude Race (LongPac) in odd numbered years.

In addition to the Society’s races, the Offshore Yacht Racing Association (OYRA) section of the Yacht Racing Association of San Francisco Bay (YRA) provides a division for singlehanded or doublehanded sailors in approximately 10 races per year. Participation in these races requires a separate application to YRA.  Contact the YRA at www.yra.org.

Along with the races organized by the Society each year, the SSS sponsors lectures and educational seminars to promote safe shorthanded racing and cruising, and to help prepare interested skippers for the challenge of the long distance races sponsored by the Society.  An SSS burgee will be presented to new members.

Skippers’ meetings are held on the Wednesday preceding each race unless otherwise noted. Trophies are awarded to the winning yachts in each division of all races, and all racers checked in at the race start are presented with a memento acknowledging their participation. Perpetual trophies are awarded to the Singlehanded and Doublehanded Season Champions.