If money is a barrier to participation for you as a young Thistle sailor, the Thistle Class would like to help. To offset the cost of attending regattas, we offer our Youth Member Regatta Reimbursement Program. For TCA members under 26 years old, the TCA will pay your regatta registration fee for Nationals, Midwinters, and Interdistrict Championship regattas, which are typically the most expensive. Check out the program details below, and contact the 3rd VP with any questions (thirdvp at thistleclass.com).
Who qualifies?
The skipper must be a dues-paid TCA Youth Member who is under 26 years of age as of the first day of the regatta.
Which regattas are eligible?
This program is for Gold, Silver and Blue Chevron events. This includes:
National Championship (Gold Chevron)
Midwinters West Championship (Silver Chevron)
Midwinters East Championship (Silver Chevron)
Atlantic Coast Championship (Blue Chevron)
Central Southern Interdistricts (Blue Chevron)
Great Lakes Championship (Blue Chevron)
Pacific Coast Championship (Blue Chevron)
Southeast Championship (Blue Chevron)
The reimbursement program does not include District Championship regattas, which are Red Chevron events. Ask your District Governor if your district has funds to offset regatta costs.
How do I get reimbursed?
Register and pay for the regatta in advance of the regatta’s registration deadline. After registering, contact the TCA’s 3rd Vice President at thirdvp at thistleclass.com.
Please include:
Your name
Regatta name and date
Base registration dollar amount
Mailing address to receive the check
The 3rd VP will verify your participation in the event after it has ended and then ask the TCA secretary to send you a check.
Do I have to pay for the regatta up front?
The program is designed to pay sailors back after they attend a regatta. If you would like to sail in an eligible event but don’t have the funds to pay the registration fee in advance of the regatta, please contact the 3rd VP to discuss your specific situation.
What is eligible for reimbursement?
The TCA will reimburse an on-time, standard regatta fee and everything that includes. For example, if the standard regatta fee includes 3 dinners and a t-shirt, that full amount will be reimbursed.
The following things are not eligible for reimbursement: late fees, extra meals, meal packages, travel expenses, merchandise, and the like. For example, if you register late and add one extra meal, only the standard regatta fee is reimbursable.
