8 things to know about Swiftsure returning to Victoria this weekend

One of Victoria’s most well-known sporting traditions is set to return this weekend as the sails back into local waters for its 81st year.

The internationally recognized Swiftsure sailing  race runs Saturday, May 23rd through Sunday, May 24th, bringing competitors and spectators from across BC, Washington and Oregon to Greater Victoria.

Presented by the Royal Victoria Yacht Club, Swiftsure is considered the largest yacht race of its kind in Western North America and has become a long-standing Victoria tradition dating back nearly a century.

Here are 8 things to know before heading down to the waterfront this weekend:

1. The race begins Saturday morning at Clover Point

The action officially gets underway Saturday morning, with race starts scheduled beginning at 9 a.m. near Clover Point.

The starting area is often packed with spectators hoping to catch dozens of sailboats making their way into the Juan de Fuca Strait.

2. You can grab breakfast before the races

Early risers can also stop by the Central Saanich Lions Club pancake breakfast at Clover Point beginning at 8 a.m. on Saturday.

3. There are multiple places to watch throughout the weekend

While Clover Point is one of the most popular viewing areas for the race start, there are several other spots to catch the action depending on the day.

Saturday afternoon’s inshore races are expected to finish in Cadboro Bay, while the longer offshore races will wrap up between Saturday night and Sunday near Ogden Point and Victoria’s Inner Harbour.

Ship Point is also expected to offer good views of boats returning to harbour.

4. You can livestream the race if you don’t want to battle crowds

For those who prefer to stay home, CHEK News will once again broadcast and livestream portions of the event online.

Spectators can also follow live tracking maps online showing where boats are positioned throughout the race.

5. Swiftsure has deep roots in Victoria history

The race first began in 1930, when only six boats competed in a course that circled the Swiftsure Lightship near the entrance to the Juan de Fuca Strait.

Over the decades, the event has grown into one of the Pacific Northwest’s premier sailing competitions, regularly attracting racers from Canada and the United States.

6. The original race used an actual lightship

One of the race’s long-standing traditions is the “rounding” point far offshore near Swiftsure Bank, located at the entrance to the Juan de Fuca Strait roughly 70 nautical miles southwest of Victoria.

Originally, racers would round an anchored lightship, essentially a floating lighthouse used to warn ships about dangerous waters and shoals. The lightship served as the turning point for the race until it was removed from service in 1961.

While the original lightship is gone, modern racers still round a vessel stationed in the same area before heading back toward Victoria.

7. Last year featured nearly 100 boats

According to organizers, 95 boats participated in the 2025 edition of Swiftsure across multiple race categories ranging from offshore races to inshore competitions.

The Cape Flattery ORC division continued to be one of the largest and most competitive fleets during last year’s event.

8. Organizers are expecting another busy weekend on the water

In a message posted ahead of this year’s race, Royal Victoria Yacht Club Commodore Heather Brazier welcomed competitors and spectators back for another year of racing.

“A warm welcome is extended to our friends from British Columbia, Washington and Oregon,” organizers said.

Additional race details, livestream information and tracking links can be found on the official Swiftsure website.

No matter where you watch from, the weekend is expected to bring another busy and scenic few days along Victoria’s waterfront.