3rd year back to Miami between Christmas and New Year for the Orange Bowl Youth Regatta. This time, we have over 700 kids from over 20 countries, which made it the largest youth regatta in the states. We brought the bikes along, and rode along Biscayne Bay before the long day start. As the regatta grows, the competition level rises, and the protest sophisticates.
Here is one of the Judge's comment : It was firmly impressed on me that those who think the Orange Bowl Regatta is a fun regatta for kids, need to be involved with the protest committee the last day of the regatta. This is looked upon by kids, parents and coaches as a big league regatta, and is as cut-throat as they come. Blood and tears were all around the protest table, and high blood pressure and spirits ran high as the day wore on!
It wouldn't be surprising if you get to know how much time, money and effort those parents has put into their children's sail training. Hoping they will grow up an independent and competitive person.
Sailing is a self policing sport. When boats meet, they're supposed to follow the rules to give way. If someone broke a rule, he is supposed to do penalty without others telling him. When there's disagreement, they can protest, and being heard by the Jury. However, when kids act like bad lawyer around protest table, knowingly lying, coaching their witness down to the exact wording, using everything to their own advantage, my heart sink. What have we done to our kids?
As the start of the new year, I wish you all can slow down and have some simple fun.
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