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Learn The New Rules

Dave Perry, who has literally written the book on Understanding the Racing Rules of Sailing, will be visiting Northern California the weekend of March 13-15 for a series of seminars on the changes in the 2009 rules. After attending the seminar presented by Perry’s illustrator, Brad Dellenbaugh, in January at Corinthian YC, we can unequivocally recommend taking advantage of one of these opportunities. There are some very fundamental changes to the latest edition of the rules; for anyone who doesn’t get paid to race for a living, it’s hard to fully grasp their tactical implications.

First up will be a rules-only seminar at St. Francis YC on Friday, March 13, from 6-9 p.m. The cost is $20 per person, and it’s BYOB (bring your own book). The next day, Perry will be back at the club for a full-on seminar integrating the new rules and the tactical implications they bring to the table. Saturday’s seminar will set you back $50 for the six-hour program starting at 9 a.m., and while lunch is included it’s still BYOB. You can sign up for one or both by calling the club’s front desk at (415) 563-6363.

Perry will then head to Coyote Point YC in South Bay at 1 p.m. on Sunday, March 15, where $25 will get you in the door. If you don’t yet have a copy of Understanding the Racing Rules of Sailing, you can pre-arrange to have one waiting for you at the regular cover price. You can take care of all of this, plus take advantage of a $5 discount for early registration — prior to March 1 — by visiting the event’s website.

Don’t miss these opportunities to get savvier about the new rules. They aren’t for the ‘sea lawyers’ out there. They’re for every sailor who feels the game is more enjoyable when everyone else is on the same page and no one is quoting rule numbers to other boats during races.

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