The club signed up to the RYA Racing Charter which is outlined below.

Objectives

• To provide the framework for everyone to enjoy the sport of sailboat racing in whatever capacity and to whatever level the individual desires.
• To ensure that the sport of sailboat racing welcomes people and treats them equally.
• To ensure that those who experience sailboat racing are encouraged to continue.

Principles and Practices

• The sport welcomes all participants; it relies largely on self-compliance and self-policing. Those that deliberately take unfair advantage of this or behave in an inappropriate manner, either on or off the water, can expect to be brought to account.
• Competitors agree to compete and behave in compliance with the rules and in accordance with accepted standards of sailboat racing. When involved in a genuine dispute, both the parties to the dispute and those deciding the matter will use the established procedures for achieving resolution.
• Foul or abusive language, intimidation, aggressive behaviour or lack of respect for others and their property will not be tolerated.
• Organizers, officials and other providers of sailboat racing agree to strive to provide the fairest racing possible. This includes encouraging feed-back and facilitating the resolution of genuine disputes (including protests) in a timely and proper manner.
• Coaches and other advisors agree to encourage their charges to compete, officiate or behave only in compliance with the above principles and practices.

This Charter applies equally to those who organize, manage, coach, advise, judge, provide services and compete (including those who support competitors) in sailboat racing. The RYA encourages the adoption and implementation of this Charter, and provides guidance and support to individuals and organizations to assist implementation.
This guidance and support is consistent with the practices of the International Sailing Federation.
For further information visit www.rya.org.uk/racing/charter

APPLICATION OF RYA RACING CHARTER

Through its Racing Charter, the RYA seeks to promote fair and enjoyable racing for all.
Competitors who sail under the Charter should expect:

• to be provided with racing that, as far as is possible, is fair, enjoyable and safe;
• to receive services that conform to those guidelines endorsed by the RYA and appropriate to the event;
• to be able to inform Organizing Authorities when any racing services are not provided to acceptable standards;
• to be provided with prompt services to resolve any disputes. Competitors who sail under the Charter are expected:
• to show courtesy and respect to other competitors and officials, and to other users of the water; · to compete in compliance with the rules, and take a penalty when required by the rules;
  to use the provided services to resolve any disputes.

Expectations of Clubs that organize racing under the Charter may be found at www.rya.org.uk/racing/charter

Rule 69 is used by the sport of sailboat racing to control and penalize unacceptable behaviour at an event. Guidelines on its application in the UK follow.