Understanding the Snipe Class: Membership

The Snipe Class International Racing Association (SCIRA) is the governing body for the Snipe Class sailboat, functioning as an association formed and centered around its members. This centrality of the membership concept is fundamental to the structure and activities of the class.

The Snipe Class International Racing Association (SCIRA) is the governing body for the Snipe Class sailboat, functioning as an association formed and centered around its members. This centrality of the membership concept is fundamental to the structure and activities of the class.

Read also:

The Heart of the Class: Understanding Snipe Fleets

Categories of Membership (Constitution Section 15)

SCIRA recognizes different classes of membership, primarily categorized by age and boat ownership.

Category	Definition/Requirements
Senior Member	Members who will be at least 22 years old in the membership year, authorized to skipper or crew registered Snipe Class sailboats.
Junior Member	Members who will not be 22 years old in the membership year, authorized to skipper or crew registered Snipe Class sailboats.

Owner	Members who own registered Snipe Class sailboats conforming to the Class restrictions.
Non-Owner	Members who do not own registered Snipe Class sailboats. (In countries like Japan, it is very common for universities, commercial companies, or clubs to own boats.)
Entity Owner	Entities that own registered Snipe Class sailboats that Members may sail.

Master Regatta Divisions

For Master regattas (as specified in the Deed of Gift), age qualifications apply to the competitors, with further divisions:

Skipper Age: Must be at least 45 years of age in the year of the regatta.
Combined Age: Skipper and crew’s combined age must be at least 80 years in the year of the regatta.

Master Division	Age Requirement (in year of regatta)
Apprentice Master	45-54 years
Master	55-64 years
Grand Master	65-74 years
Master Legends	75 years old and onwards

Note: The wind limits for the Snipe Class include specific wind limits for certain categories. While the general rule for ‘open’ regattas is ‘The wind speed ranges shall be no less than 5 knots and not to exceed 23 knots or in accordance with the applicable Deed of Gift,’ there are specific rules for Masters and Women’s regattas:

For Masters events, the maximum wind speed allowed shall be 15 knots.
For Women’s events, the maximum wind speed allowed shall be 18 knots.

Skipper and Crew Definitions (Bylaws Sections 11 & 12)

Skipper: The person who steers the boat. The same skipper must sail the boat throughout a regatta, unless otherwise stated in the relevant Deed of Gift.
Crew: A minimum of 2 persons must be aboard each Snipe in all races, including the skipper.

Obligations and Privileges of Membership

Obligations (Constitution Section 16)

Application for membership (by owners, non-owners, entity owners, or Fleets) implies the applicants agree to abide by all Class rules.

Privileges (Constitution Section 17)

Senior and Junior Members: Entitled to a Class identification card, signifying authorization to participate as skippers or crews in Fleet races and other qualifying regattas under SCIRA jurisdiction.
Owners/Entity Owners: Entitled to a Class emblem, signifying their registered boat is authorized to participate in races and regattas.
Governance: Membership grants the right to elect and be elected as Fleet Captain, National Secretary, or other statutory offices, according to the rules of the specific Fleet and Nation.

Dues and Registration

To maintain good standing and participate in the racing season, members must be current with their annual dues.

Dues Determination (Constitution Section 19): The amount is determined by agreement between the National Secretary and the Board of Governors and varies by country.
Payment Deadline: Dues are generally to be paid by boat owners within thirty days after the start of their local Fleet’s racing season.
Boat Registration: Current boat registration is confirmed by a current decal displayed on the aft starboard side of the hull.
Payment Methods: Members can pay online directly to SCIRA International (via the database) or through their National Secretary or Fleet Captain. Members should check with their local Fleet Captain for specifics.

Participation in Regattas (Bylaws Section 14)

Snipe events are categorized, and membership requirements vary by event type:

Event Type	Definition	Membership/Boat Requirements
Club or Fleet Regatta	Local regatta within the members of a single fleet or Yacht Club.	Membership/PRO not strictly required.
Sanctioned Regatta	A regatta listed in each Nation’s calendar. Annually each National Secretary presents the list of regattas to be sanctioned to the SCIRA office. Any regatta qualifying for a subsequent Major Championship must be a sanctioned regatta.	Recognition of a sanctioned regatta means that at least: 1. All competitors (skipper and crew) are current SCIRA members. 2. Boat is properly registered with a current decal. 3. Boat has a current MDS (Measurement Data Sheet) on file. 4. A PRO (Principal Race Officer) is present.
Major Championship	A regatta assigning a World, area title, or Regional Game title (e.g., PanAms).	Must comply with all requirements for Sanctioned Regattas, applicable Deeds of Gift, SCIRA Rules of Conduct for National and International Championships, and World Sailing regulations.

While Club or Fleet regattas may allow non-members to participate (to encourage newcomers), membership is mandatory for Sanctioned Regattas and Major Championships.