Different Perspectives

I was at the Optimist Nationals in Weymouth recently.

We had some great days with three races in some good breeze going up toForce 5. Sailors as young as 10 were on the water from 10am to 3pm. They thought it was great!

Some weeks ago I was at the NSSA Regatta in Deal. We also did 3 races but the perspective was very different. It was great racing but we were very wary of having young sailors on the water for so long. Normally we would not want the sailors on the water for more than 3 hrs at a time and a lunch break is the norm, however, launching at Deal is not easy, so an exception was made, with many warnings to the team managers not to bring inexperienced children.

Similarly, Sea Cadets regulations advise (?) against any sailing activity when winds are above Force 4. This is understandable when you consider how little time the average Sea Cadet will have in a sailing boat. It is more difficult to understand when you are used to reefing a Wayfarer and going out teaching in wind of up to 25kts (Force 6)

The problem in the modern world is whether you have the confidence to justify your decision if things go wrong or take responsibility for it. Perspective is everything.