Protesting on the water

not a lot o shouting , one word --- protest -- and if he don't do turns follow it through , he will soon get the message and respond to your calls .

No point shouting and bawling , slows you down , shout protest and then get on with your race .

Seems from this  scenario you didn't know  the rules , now you do don't let him off .

Rule obeyance in Dinghy racing has become pretty poor , protests are rare .

getting slightly sidetracked....  if you hit a mark and someone yells protest, distracting you and causing you to hit it again.. could you protest that the hail had been unsportsman like as you had fully intended to do your turns at first opportunity etc??   :-)

NO!

mind you if they shouted protest followed by a stream of abuse.......

a small point - but you cannot protest another competitor under rule 69. Only a protest committee may initiate a hearing under this rule.

Intimidation would be protested under rule 2 Fair sailing. I believe that this rule should be used far more. Swearing, insulting behaviour or language should not be a habitual part of our sport.

On another issue... the rules are the same if you are sailing in an evening club race or the final race of the Olympics. I believe you should always shout protest on the water. I also believe that somone should then explain, calmly, to the novice sailor therules and any infringement they may have made. If someone has infringed the sporting thing to do would be to retire. For club racing maybe an agreed retirement without a hearing should lead to a lesser penalty.The introduction of abitration procedures and other such methods are intended to do this.

The basic rules for beginners are incredibly simple...if only many peopole who have been sailing for years took the trouble to learn them. Here is my version of the Racing Rules of Sailing for beginners (with apologies for the font size and all):

Garry's points are very valid, particularly in the general thrust towards education-

but I still saying that the education must start with the use of the "P word".

It does not need to be shouted!

If we simply talk to a novice or improver post race they will never learn the protocol of how to ensure their own rights over rules issues.

I make a point wherever I am, and no matter what the standard of racing, of simply using the word (having attempted to "coach" my opponent out of the infringement in advance where possible).  And as the first thing I say.

After that, and depending on the reaction I make a decision as to whether to push for turns, do nothing, or take it ashore for protest or discussion.

If discussion I generally try and approach it from the point of view of what do you think happened - what rules do you think applied, and take it from there.

Of course my emotions do get in the way - especially when the stakes are high!