Racers, when gardening, we wear long pants, short sleeves, sunglasses, bug spray and SPF 50. Under the heading of using the right tool for the right job, here’s a list of what you want to wear and bring with you when you race.

YOU MUST BRING YOUR OWN PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICE (PFD)

Clothing should be sports clothes that are comfortable and offer you free range of motion. You don't want to wear anything too loose as it might catch on various hooks and latches. Avoid any clothes with metal ornamentation as it could scratch the boat.  

Boats have spiders. If that *bugs* you, wear long pants. 

Your shoes should be soft-soled, close-toed, non-skid, and fit well.

YOU MUST BRING YOUR OWN PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICE (PFD)

Your "Go" bag should contain everything else you need to hop onto your boat. This includes: 

** Sailing gloves 

** Sport sunglasses (Dick’s Sporting Goods or drugstore - tight/ non-slip) on some sort of chain (if they hit the water, they're gone) 

** A baseball (sailing) cap

** Chapstick with SPF

** Hair bands

** A small water bottle

** Sunscreen (yes, sunburns happen at 6:00 pm on a boat in Lake Erie)

** Pressure-point wristbands (especially for the novice) 

** Double-mint gum (green pack) - mint works like a charm in the "prevention" of motion sickness!

** An extra T-shirt or sweatshirt (it can get cold out there if you're covered in spray)

And of course:

YOU MUST BRING YOUR OWN PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICE (PFD) - PS: Check out this sale on PFD's at West Marine!

What you don't need: you will never need your wallet or your purse for that matter, on the boat. That doesn't mean you can't bring it with you, but happy racers travel light. 

It’s also a good idea to a change of clothes in the car or a garbage bag to sit on for the car ride home in case of rainy weather.