There you go being all risk-managery...

Perhaps peering over the fence to other sports may assist us in determining a prudent way forward. Are the rules, procedures, oversight and organization the same for youth football as collegiate or pro? How about baseball? Soccer?

I would argue that there are differences in these sports from their adult counterparts. Safety equipment and bans on certain types of behaviors (slide tackle in youth soccer? head tackle in football?).

If this is accurate, then it would seem obvious that youth sailing may have additional constraints placed on it to reduce potential risk of harm to the yutes. Would this set a precedent? Most likely. Would future events be held to the same standard of care? Sure. Is this a bad thing?

'Merica is indeed a litigious society, and we sure don't want to accept responsibility for anything. So that leaves the OA and PRO the arduous task of putting it in attendees' face that "we're going to do the best we can, despite your second guessing us, but you still have to recognize we don't control everything. We can't prevent you or your offspring from being stupid, but we will do our best to conduct a safe and enjoyable event."

Cover all the foreseeable risk with good planning and execution. Speak with your insurer to discuss how you handle the rest.