Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Who can participate in the regatta?
A. Everyone and anyone from anywhere that is passionate about adventure and prepared to enjoy nature’s elements. If you’re interested in attending our event but don’t have your own boat, please enter your name and details on our Crew Finder form. Please note that our course takes us through very remote areas and to anchorages with rocky coastlines that can make inhibit easy access to land. If you would like to attend our event but require special accommodations, please contact us to obtain more information and to let us know how we can best assist you.
Q. What types of boats can participate?
A. Our fleet primarily consists of sailboats but any watercraft (sailboat or motorized) is welcome to attend. However, all participating watercraft must be prepared to spend many hours of sailboat racing, cruising, or motoring on the lake each day, must be equipped with all required and recommended safety gear (e.g., VHF radio, navigational charts, electronic navigation, lifevests), must have access to a sufficient supply of food and drinking water to support the crew for the duration of the event, and must have both a helmsman and navigator onboard. Please be advised that our racecourse typically covers about 20 nautical miles per day, with an additional 5+ miles of motoring to and from anchorages. We encourage day sailors to provide a support boat that can carry their gear and assist in case of need. If you would like to attend LOWISA on a day sailor but do not have a support boat, please contact us to inquire about gear storage opportunities on other boats.
Q. What skill level do I need to participate in lowisa?
A. We welcome participants of varying skill levels. However, participants should be competent navigators and prepared to operate or crew on a vessel in remote areas and inclement weather.
Q. What is the difference between the racing and cruising classes?
A. Sailboats in the racing class sign up to participate in LOWISA races and compete against other racing boats for trophies awarded at the end of the event. If you’re not interested in racing but would like to attend LOWISA, we also have a cruising class that consists of sailboats that casually sail or motor the course during the day and attend the social events at night. Cruising boats do not have to follow the set course outlined in the race instructions and do not have to pay the race registration fee. Any boat (racing or cruising) that decides to leave the event or anchorage in a different location than the rest of the fleet must notify the LOWISA Race Committee or REPAX.
Q. What are the different racing classes?
A. We have racing classes that encompass all levels of sailing and types of crafts, including a white sail division (for those not wanting to set spinnakers) and various spinnaker divisions based on boat design. Fleets with at least 5 of the same boat can petition for a one-design division. You will mark which division you want to enter on your registration form.
Q. How do you score boats of different designs?
A. We use the Lake Winnipeg/Lake of the Woods Performance Handicap Rating Fleet as a basis for assigning PHRF ratings. If you know your boat’s rating, please indicate that on your registration form. If you do not provide a rating we will assign one. A committee of US and Canadian sailors will define ratings and divisions once all sailors have registered.
Q. How long is the course each day?
A. Each day’s course is about 20 miles (32 km). We take a break on Wednesday during layover day, during which you can relax at the lodge or participate in a shorter round-the-buoys race. Our last race (on Saturday) is typically shorter to provide the fleet time to lift their boats and prepare for the Award’s Banquet.
Q. Are there navigation aids on the course?
A. Lake of the woods is buoyed and lighted, and such buoys and lights are indicated on the charts each craft must obtain.
Q. Where can I obtain navigational charts?
A. Once the courses have been set, we will identify which charts apply and where you can purchase them. The courses usually cover three charts at about $20 each. They can be purchased online or from various stores in Kenora, Ontario (e.g., Johnson’s Pharmacy on Main St., or Wilson’s on Second St.).
Q. There are lots of rocks on lake of the woods, will I damage my boat?
A. There are many hazards on Lake of the Woods but most of them are well-marked. You can minimize your risk of making contact with hazards by referring to official navigational charts and by using electronic navigation systems (e.g., Navionics or Garmin). The marks on the course will steer you away from taking shortcuts through shallow channels. We encourage you to review the course on your charts ahead of time and circle areas of concern, including the route to and from the moorings.
Q. What’s the weather like
A. The weather and conditions are highly variable. Prepare and pack for sun, heat, rain, wind, and stormy weather. Make sure to bring rain gear, warm clothes, layering items, and long sleeves and pants in case of bugs. We highly recommend that all boats come prepared with bug nets/screens.
Q. what are the anchorages like?
A. Our overnight stops are carefully planned for safety and to accommodate shore activities and camping tents. Most are wilderness stops with anchoring in a linear or star raft or off a shoreline. Boats can drop an anchor off the stern, tie a line from the bow to a tree, and be close enough to climb ashore, yet not worry about touching the keel to the bottom. If racers or cruisers choose to have a night of absolute seclusion, there are plenty of bays and shorelines nearby, but away from the main fleet. There are a number of lodges on the lake for those interested, however, not all of our anchorages will be in the immediate vicinity of a lodge.
Q. What’s the weather like
A. The weather and conditions are highly variable. Prepare and pack for sun, heat, rain, wind, and stormy weather. Make sure to bring rain gear, warm clothes, layering items, and long sleeves and pants in case of bugs. We highly recommend that all boats come prepared with bug nets/screens.
Q. Will lodging be available?
A. Yes, the entire fleet stays at a specific lodge/resort on the Tuesday and Wednesday of the regatta. The lodge will be announced several months in advance, please contact the lodge directly to inquire about amenities and bookings. Rooms are available on a first-come first-serve basis.
Q. what camping gear should I bring?
A. If you are planning to camp on land, the smaller and lighter the tent the better. Bring a rain fly, a ground mat, and a sleeping pad. Down sleeping bags are probably too warm, in fact, some nights all you will need is a sheet. Compact camping pillows are ideal. You will be able to create fire pits (except for in drought conditions) but might want to bring a grate and charcoal. Small propane camping stoves are easy to use for boiling water. You should plan to purify any water used from the lake for drinking. A hatchet is useful for removing stumps from the tent site. A trowel is necessary for the latrine; please, bury your deposits and pack out all your garbage.
Q. What do you recommend for apres-sail gear?
A. It can be quite warm on LOWISA (but also windy and rainy some nights/years). Bring lots of fluids. A bimini or tarp is ideal for cover from the sun or rain. Mosquito netting for the hatches are essential.
Q. what other gear do you recommend bringing?
A. See our recommended packing list.
Q. can i bring my pet?
A. This is a remote and rugged event where land is not always easily accessible. This event can pose many risks for your pet (e.g., extreme temperatures, difficult and infrequent access to land, choppy water) that could result in your pet’s injury or death. As a result, we strongly advise against bringing pets on this event. Small pets may be able to withstand conditions on motorized watercraft or cruising boats but this is up to the discretion of the owner. No pets should be onboard racing boats during LOWISA.
Q. where can i obtain a fishing license?
A. If you plan to fish you will need a fishing license. You can purchase a Canadian license in Kenora from Canadian Tire on Highway 17 E., Figure 8 Baits on First Ave. S., and Sunset Baits on Highway 17 E. If fishing in the U.S. waters off of Oak Island, you will also need a U.S. license which might be available at Sunset Lodge.
Q. What are the emergency contact numberS?
911 Emergencies, Police, Fire, Ambulance
800-268-9017 Poison Control
888-310-1122 OPP Ontario Provincial Police
807-468-9855 RCMP Royal Canadian Mounted Police
807-468-9861 Lake of the Woods District Hospital
807-468-3311 Ambulance
807-468-6441 Kenora Coast Guard
VHF 16 On the water Coast Guard or OPP