"Rabbit start" racing.
Match racing
Sailing backwards racing (on very short courses, please)
Sailing with no rudder
there are others......see Rick White's book for more ideas.
At our S.Club (go to
http://www.nsc.ca), we have regular, long-distance (for a lake) and regatta racing, plus we have some 'fun' races.
The best is our annual Turkey Trot, on (Canadian) Thanksgiving. Each boat has a handicap, slowest boats start first, in sequence, fastest starts last.
The course is a circle, about 2 miles in diameter.
The start is usually about 300 yards to the east of 3 o' clock, round the 3 pm buoy, then twice around the circle anti-clockwise, back to the start. First over the line wins. Participants include big/small, fast/slow keelboats, cats, and dinghies. Last October, a Tanzer 22 won. Three years ago, we came 2nd to an International 14. Anyone can win. Given the October temperatures up north, you need a great deal of rum to have a good race. Then we hit up the Club House for turkey and trimmings.
In summer, we have a Harbour Master's Race. This is inside the harbour, on Mango's or Bic's or equivalent boats. A short triangle course, with crowds cheering from the dock and Club House.
The trick is not to spill your beverage while tacking.
If you don't like these suggestions, make up your own rules, but most of all, have fun.