Hi Mike,
If you have a little time to kill, read through some of Sam`s other posts, you`ll soon see a pattern developing. Don`t worry too much about his opinion as it`s based on what will make sensational reading and get responses.

Phil did raise a valid point on the subject of legal liability. If a club/organisation hosts a regatta, does the signing of an indemnity form by the skipper and/or crew not absolve them from liability ?
I don`t know of any club or association in SA that has Indemnity Insurance, and I am also involved in paragliding, a slightly higher-risk sport than sailing (sometimes ).

We`re having the Cape Point Challenge next month, a 85km race from Fish Hoek Beach near Simonstown to the lighthouse at Cape Point and back. You can bet we`ll be signing an indemnity form, there be sharks in them waters .

Cheers
Steve