Frequently Asked Questions
Q. WHO CAN PARTICIPATE IN THE REGATTA?
Everyone and anyone from anywhere that is passionate about adventure and prepared to enjoy nature’s elements. Ideal people fall in these categories:
Own a sailing vessel on LOTW or can be transported to and launched. Northern Harbour partners with LOWISA to launch a variety of vessels.
You have a cruising vessel (yes... a motor boat) and you want to experience a social boating event like no other. Us Sailors aren't as snobby as you might have thought.
You are passionate about sailing and want to try something new. Try to find a boat to crew on by checking out the "Crew Finder". We will give you guidance on how to meet new people and try sailing on the pristine Lake of the Woods.
Q. WHAT TYPES OF BOATS CAN PARTICIPATE?
A. All participating watercraft must be prepared to spend many hours and days on the water sailboat racing, cruising, or motoring on the lake each day, be equipped with all required safety gear and have a solution on where to sleep and how to eat for the week or part of the week.
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 TRADITIONAL CLASS, PURSUIT CLASS, AND CRUISING CLASSES?
Traditional Class Sailing vessels participate in a traditional start line with a dedicated race organizing committee. Vessels and their operators should be comfortable with start line procedures and tactics and comfortable sailing up to 23 nautical miles per day. In traditional racing you don't know who won the race when you cross the finish line, even if you finished first. Results are announced each evening. There are various divisions within the traditional class based on boat types that compete well against others and whether you choose to fly white sails or flying sails.
Pursuit Class sailing vessels participate in a self-administered course where you are provided a start time for each race and you will be sailing 10-12 nautical miles per day. In Pursuit racing, each vessel has an assigned start time and when you get to the finish line you know which position you earned.
Cruising Class.... this is for the party people, not the sailing people. The Cruising class joins in the festivities by participating in the evening anchorage activities and spirit of LOWISA
Q. HOW DO YOU SCORE BOATS OF DIFFERENT DESIGNS?
A. We are adopting a well known and respected handicapping system. Each sailing vessel will need to be measured and certified to participate to encourage fair and competitive play.
Q. HOW LONG IS THE COURSE EACH DAY?
A. As already mentioned, each day’s competitive race course is about 20-23 miles (32 km) and the pursuit course is about 10-12 miles (16 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 "Women at the Helm" 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. For LOWISA 59, we will have all vessels in the same race for the Come Together extravaganza!
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. You should have your own navigation tools with highly accurate readings of the rocks. The most accurate reading of rocks and obstacles can be found on the Hummingbird "One Boat Network " with "Lake View" maps. Download this program and applicable maps at an expense of approximately $30. Use it, and watch for obstacles consistently. Garmin Navionics Boating App is also good and easier to use, however, not as accurate as the "One Boat Network" maps.
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., "One Boat Network" Or/and Navionics/Garmin "Boating"). 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 Crow Rock 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.
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