I could agree with Maugan on the theory that it gives the Coast Guard some practice if the rescue were happening on one of those clear, lazy days of summer when nothing else is happening. But where I come from, during periods of extreme weather the Coast Guard is kept plenty busy rescuing people whose boats are sinking, and they don't take kindly to having to divert equipment and personnel for rescues of people who went on the water for frivolous reasons.

During our 13th Annual Steeplechase, when a strong weather system arrived hours earlier than forecast, most of the fleet was wiped out and searches were under way by the Coast Guard, the Marine Patrol and the Sheriff's Department for two crews who had become separated from their boats.

Everyone was eventually safe and accounted for, but it was a pretty hairy day. Just prior to the awards being presented for the race, we received visits by and lectures from, in quick succession, the Coast Guard, the Marine Patrol, and the Sheriff's Department. Nobody said anything about being grateful for the chance to practice rescue skills. On the contrary, they threatened to cite all the sailors and confiscate their boats for something to do with "frivolous" and "reckless."

It's all well and good to admire these 5.2 sailors for exercising their right to go on the water at their own risk. But you know how the government works -- if we don't exercise common sense to protect ourselves from disaster, the government will enact a law that says we can't leave the beach when the wind is over X knots or the surf is over X feet high, or whatever. They will think they have to protect us from ourselves. And then we will no longer have the right to go on the water at our own risk.