The safety of the members of HSA and those sailing with us is always our
club’s prime consideration. HSA has a strong culture of safety. Water safety
is a mandatory component taught in all our instructional programs, such as:
Jr Sailing Camp, Intro to Sail, or Learn to Sail.

The Racing Rules of Sailing state, "the responsibility for a boat's decision to
participate in a race or to continue racing is hers alone." So, although it is up
to each skipper to decide if the wind and weather conditions are acceptable,
our Race Committees continuously strive to ensure a fair and safe race,
even for boaters still developing skills. They do that by measuring wind
speed and water temperature, watching for stormy weather, and monitoring
each sailor on the water.

New sailors participating in programs such as Intro to Sail, or Learn to Sail,
are required to wear PFDs, and their instructors model this best practice, as
they learn about other safe boating practices.

Our rescue boat is exempt from ODNR horsepower during water rescues
restrictions so it can quickly help sailors in distress. And, although all sailors
are required by Ohio law to give aid to any person or boat in danger, HSA
sailors inherently know that the rescue and safety of people always come
first.

The practical safety nets built over the decades by our HSA members have
ensured competitive safe sailing at Acton Lake--something we should all be
proud to continue and improve upon in the years ahead.