About us
The Battle for The Bar
This is an event designed for maximum fun, a course built for absolute blasting on a reach. It's a collaboration between two progressive clubs, good people, good times and a passion for off the beach wind sports and culture. It's called an invitational but it's really a call to arms, to get involved and get more people involved in our amazing sport. This is an event that doesn't compete with others, it's purposely designed to be different, to stand alone, the first of it's kind. This event is Free! we will continue to do the opposite to all other events and create an event for the participant first.
The only question is... can you survive the Battle for the Bar?
The Course is Set
The course is simple, there is a Start in front of Rye and Rosebud Yacht Clubs. Each start line will also be your finish line. Wherever you start is where you finish. The course is set just outside the 5kt markers in the beautiful turquoise waters just off the beach along the sandbar between Rye YC and Rosebud YC.
Competitors race from one club to the other and return to their start club.
There is a ‘Midway Gate’ exactly halfway between the two clubs that competitors must sail through.
The pin end of the start line is also the rounding mark that a competitor must leave to port for each rounding if sailing on the 24 or 36 km course.
Juniors do half a lap and return – 6km, Monohulls do one lap – 12km, Multihulls do two laps – 24km, Foilers do 3 laps – 36km and Cruisers sail the distance that suits them making sure to sail through the midway gate each time.
The race is held on one day in a weather window between Dec 27 and Dec 30, this day is to be the best ‘Reaching’ conditions possible.
It’s time for yacht clubs to do things a little different. Currently all clubs are competing against each other to do exactly the same thing. We thought we’d do the opposite. We are passionate about ocean sports and our community and we want to see our sport grow, so we decided to collaborate together and design a race that is fun for everyone, yet challenging and exciting enough for those that want to push their limits. If you want to go for a cruise, you can do that too, with a hint of adventure.
The Race Ends. The Après Sail Begins.
Building on our sports unique culture is really important to us. We come together at alternating yacht clubs where we try to "out beach party" each other for presentation, food and drinks in the evening following the race to connect and enjoy the good times with each other. This is what makes our sport great, shared experiences, lifestyle and of course respectful banter.
See you at Rye Yacht Club this year in your best '80s kit!
Your Move
Getting Involved
Join the Fleet
Get on the water, bring your crew and be part of the 2026 Capel Sound Invitational.
Become a Volunteer
Pitch in, get amongst it and help make the event happen from shore to start line.
Make a Donation
Help us keep the Invitational free for competitors and growing for years to come.
