Pat's Rules Evening

Some times the more casual, laid back, approach pays off.

Some time ago Pat Halling offered to run a rules evening at the club on 27 April, ahead of the MTT. This was to ensure that everyone was up-to-speed on the new 2005 sailing rules.

Pat rowed across the river in the afternoon bringing with him his 'training aids'. These turned out to be four home made model dinghy's which sailed on a Christmas tablecloth lake set up on one of our dining tables. Buoys and obstacles were added and bingo! He was ready.

That evening some dozen and a half people showed up, including most of Aquarius's MTT team. Bodgitt & Son sat in the corner munching on an Indian take-away.

Pat started through the new rules book illustrating some of his points with his model boats. This actually turned out to be a very informative evening with more than a few lively debates over the issues Pat was raising.

Some involved getting your head around and understanding the changes, others had more to do with right or wrong issues, regardless of the rules.

It was a very good, casual, evening conducted over a few drinks in a friendly atmosphere. I think evenings of this type are a very good idea. Getting things like rules issues sorted out on a table top, before going afloat, can't be anything but good. Thanks Pat, a good evening!

Mike (Nobody ever calls for water in the bar) Baker