This section helps judges understand their role in the development of young sailors. The underlying principle is that all youth sailors receive the greatest possible value from their participation in the sport and are encouraged to remain in sailing over a long period of time. They are the future of our sport. This section discusses issues arising in youth events, ranging from local club racing to international events, posing unique cross-cultural challenges and opportunities.

Youth sailors have varying needs and interests. They will be at very different levels of competence, experience and knowledge of the rules. Even a difference of one or two years between youth competitors within their age category may make differences in their understanding, self-control, capacity to speak clearly in front of a group, resistance to stress and pressure, and skill development. Youth sailors must also learn to take responsibility for their own safety and the safety of others.

Race officials, coaches and parents at an event are in positions of leadership and trust and therefore have a responsibility to present the sport to the sailors in a way that maximizes their participation, enjoyment, security and satisfaction. Coaches and parents have multiple roles, not only the support of their youth sailors ashore or on the water, but also in communication, race management, rescue and protest proceedings.

When a young sailor is exposed to harm, injury, harassment, bullying or a similar negative experience, the enjoyment of sailing is compromised, with the potential for the sailor dropping out of the sport.

Officials at events with youth sailors should be aware of ethical issues in sport. Of particular concern are doping, child abuse, spectator violence, sexual assault and misconduct, lack of respect for race officials and other competitors, and undue parental or entourage pressure on young children.

Judges should be aware of any policies that a class may have about protest procedures. For example, a class may prohibit a boat from talking to a support person before protesting or prescribe a time limit for protest hearings involving younger age categories.

The racing rules do not prescribe any age groupings of sailors. However, certain class associations prescribe age groups for racing and protest procedures, based on the traditions and policies of their class.

Youth sailors are generally aged from about 8 to 18 years old, although some classes include competitors aged 19. Local legislation applies, particularly in matters of child protection.

Judges need to adapt their communication styles to the individual behavior of youth sailors. Since chronological age may be a poor indicator of maturity, an age dependent approach may not be good communication practice. A more appropriate approach is to consider maturity in terms of readiness. Readiness assumes that certain experiences have been accumulated that allow the young person to learn new skills and take in new information. Readiness will depend on the youth’s:

Judges can have a major impact on the future conduct of a sailor. There is need for sensitivity in setting the behavioral expectations for a youth event. Even minor breaches of the rules should not be accepted because of the competitor’s age. Strict and fair instruction at the start of a sailor’s career can have an important educational effect now and in future competitions.

Judges must discourage any attempt of intimidation of a younger or less confident competitor from an older one, or between a native English speaker and an English language learner. Such feeling may discourage youths to continue in the sport of sailing due to a bad perception and lack of confidence in hearing procedures.

At all events, judges should be approachable by the sailors and their support persons. This is even more important at youth events, which may be the sailor’s first contact with a protest committee or international jury.

When judges are ashore and are not required for official duties, they should make themselves available to the sailors. Visit the boat park in pairs, and be available for conversations with sailors, coaches or parents. More than one judge should participate in each discussion with sailors to avoid any perception of bias, conflict of interest and misunderstanding.

During events, there may be opportunities to give rules workshops. There can also be opportunities ashore to discuss rules and situations with coaches.

Briefings are no different from competitors’ briefings at other events, but the protest committee chair may take the opportunity to:

For practical reasons, like limited space, number of languages, and class tradition, competitors’ briefings at large youth events may be replaced by briefings for coaches or team leaders. Clear instructions to coaches can facilitate good behavior and rule observance by their sailors.

When speaking with sailors, ask for and use the sailor’s name. When explaining rules or interpretations with sailors, use the vocabulary used in the rules, rather than changing the word. Where possible, include the sailor's coach or parent in the conversation. Ensure that another race official is with you during these conversations.

In hearings, youth sailors should be respected as individuals and not patronized. The hearing should be formal, and the judges should be firm, respectful, and helpful to all competitors. Youth sailors may not have had previous experience in a hearing. Ask at the start of the hearing if this is their first hearing. If it is, the chair should inform the parties and their coaches and witnesses of the process that will be followed, both initially and as the hearing proceeds.

Anticipate and arrange for interpreters prior to hearings between sailors with no common language. Where possible, have a judge who speaks the same language as the competitor to act as an interpreter. Otherwise, support team members may be used as interpreters.

Judges should use the vocabulary of the rules throughout the hearing and when communicating the facts found, conclusion and decisions. This will avoid misunderstanding. A younger sailor may not have a full understanding of the terminology, rules and procedures. Provide explanations when needed. Ask questions that use defined terms by giving their definitions.

While giving the decision at the end of the hearing, the chair should check that all parties have understood the reasons for the decision.

Observers at hearings should be encouraged at youth events. Besides coaches and parents, it may be beneficial for other sailors to observe the process, if space is available. The normal rules for observers in Chapter F Hearings will apply. Make the observers aware of these rules prior to the hearing starting.

The racing rules do not require a protest flag for many of the dinghy classes that youth sailors sail. Be aware of the class rules regarding protest flags and any special procedures that a class might have.

The use of Appendix P on the water to monitor compliance with rule 42 should be encouraged at youth events. This helps the sailors to understand the mechanics of rule 42 and encourages compliance with other rules.

At some youth events, the sailing instructions modify Appendix P2.1 so that the Two-Turns Penalty is used for all Appendix P penalties. A better approach is to also modify P2.2 so that it applies to subsequent penalties. Rule 42 compliance should be judged at a consistently high standard. This assists the sailors in understanding what actions are prohibited by rule 42 and allows them to learn from their mistakes.

Judges must insist that the Two-Turns Penalty or retirement, if required, be completed in compliance with rule 44. When a boat does not complete her penalty, judges should take the appropriate action in Appendix P.

Chapter I On the Water Judging Including Rule 42 and Appendix P in this Manual, provides details on how judges operate under Appendix P. Being approachable and available on and off the water to explain penalties is essential for youth sailors to understand compliance with rule 42.

Support persons are bound by rule 4 to accepting the rules. This includes parents of youth sailors. It is therefore useful to remind support persons of their obligations to follow the rules on shore and on the water. This is particularly useful when parents bring new youth sailors to the events and are new to the rules themselves.

Support boats are an important part of the safety routine at an event. The movement and placement of support boats need to be restricted but can allow the boats to transit around the course following the limitations included in the sailing instructions or the support boat regulations or both.

Should a protest committee call a hearing to consider whether a support person has broken a rule, all boats that person supports should be invited to the hearing, as they are parties. Should the allegation be upheld, the competitors should be warned that they may be penalized later if the support person commits a further breach. These procedures are explained in Chapter F The Hearing in this Manual.

Not all young sailors will have support personnel on the water. Jury boats should not tow boats to the course area before racing, even if there is no wind. This avoids the appearance of showing favor to any boats. However, towing boats ashore after racing is acceptable if the judge shows no preference as to which boats they give assistance.

The World Sailing document Misconduct Guidance advises on child protection issues and the use of rule 69 with minors. Judges are strongly advised to study and follow these procedures before beginning any investigation that might involve child abuse, child protection or bullying. Local child protection laws will have specific requirements that must be followed carefully. The chair should seek guidance from local authorities in such matters. The risk is that a race official, however well-meaning and despite acting in good faith, will interfere with the course of justice by interviewing a child or investigating a serious complaint.

Procedures for reporting harassment, abuse or exploitation are in the World Sailing Safeguarding Policy Against Harassment and Abuse.