Midnight Madness runs Friday, August 15, 2025. Come enjoy a great evening on the water. This fun event draws a large contingent of NSC sailors who enjoy not only racing, but also the challenge of sailing at night. This event is open only to keelboats.
Traditionally, participants have decorated their boats with imaginative displays of lights for this event. This year we are planning to hold a “Parade of Lights”, where the Midnight Madness boats parade in front of the club house to show-off their light displays before heading out to the race. A prize for the best decorated boat will be awarded.
Boats are asked to complete the Midnight Madness Registration form as soon as possible. A valid PHRF certificate is not required, however, a provisional handicap shall be provided by the club handicapper. If you do not have a valid PHRF handicap, email the handicapper as soon as possible.
The course will be confirmed at the Skippers meeting. Attendance is mandatory for all skippers/owners; other crew are invited to attend. The marks are typically lit with glow sticks or other lights.
Sailing after dusk is a unique experience which helps to improve not only your ability to steer and navigate using other senses, but it also prepares you and your crew for other overnight cruising or racing. Appropriate safety gear is a must, along with a fun attitude. Participants should review these safety considerations.
Please email Hugh Morrin if you have any questions.
Post updated: 2025-08-26.
The diagram below shows the course for the Parade of Lights.
Update log
2021-08-21, HM: 2021 Report added.
2022-07-26, HM: Moved 2021 Report to separate post. Updated info for 2022 event.
2022-07-28, HM: Unexpired.
2022-08-08, HM: Clarified open only to keelboats. Added, then removed, info on boats registered to date.
2022-08-15, HM: Added link to After Hours Bowl, but did not change publish date. Expired post.
2023-??: 2022 page moved to AN; note that web2 page was updated for the 2023 event.
2024-07-30, DS: Updated the event date for 2024.
2024-07-31, HM: Cleaned up wording; fixed link to SIs, corrected “Page Updated” date.
2024-08-01, HM: Re-organized material, moving less important information further down the page. Changed contact person to Hugh.
2025-05-19, HM: Updated for 2025.
2025-08-05, HM: Added info and image for Parade of Lights. Added second note below.
2025-08-12, HM: Added link to safety considerations.
2025-08-26, HM: Added link to Parade of Lights Track image. Renamed “Concept” image to “Course”. Did not update the publish date.
NOTE: When announcing the 2026 Parade of Lights, we should strongly encourage anyone planning to participate, to do a test motor of the course, to develop their confidence to be able to follow the defined course.
In planning the event, we should coordinate with the Friday night entertainment to have a break in the music from 2100-2115.
Similarly, we should request that the lights in the yard, and by the main gate, be shut off 2100-2115.
NOTE: The registration data, in the form of a Google Docs spreadsheet, can be viewed at https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1c_EIWA1MY8puuSCq9oTU_Qj5sktgpKOXZvXu6cvCP-4/edit?resourcekey=&gid=2132140443#gid=2132140443 by anyone with this link. The spreadsheet can only be edited (i.e. cleared) by Hugh, Dan, or someone with nepeansailingclub@gmail.com privileges.
NOTE: See also https://nsc.ca/an/racing/racing-overview/weekend-sailing-events/midnight-madness/midnight-madness-rc-notes/.
