NPSA's principle race grounds are at the mouth of the Patapsco, on the north shore of the river (North Point). A casual glance at the chart shows some of the advantages of the local geography.

1) Open water just minutes from area marinas

2) A huge variety of course options depending on wind vector

3) Long, open fetches for lighter sea breezes

4) Short, sheltered fetches for strong, gradient winds (NW'ers)

Below is a printout of a GPS track (many thanks to Rick Franz) of one boat's progress around the buoys during NPSA's last race of the 2003 season (Rick's comments are in the rectangular boxes).

One thing that might not be immediately apparent from a casual glance at the gps track, is that NPSA routinely sets courses that have reaching legs. Not the same old W/L routine! NPSA feels that reaching legs teach sailors how to sail effectively in changing and unpredictable breezes. So having the hardware ready to outboard sheet is a bonus and knowing how to use it is a big advantage in NPSA races. There are sailors out there with tons of dinghy and small keelboat experience who have never had to outboard sheet! NPSA's races are in some ways more like mini-Point to Point races and they serve as excellent tune-ups to CBYRA distance races. Witness NPSA's Steve Culfogienis's PHRF C victory in the 2003 Governor's Cup race!