Proper dinghy sailing can get very wet at times. Wear clothes and shoes that can get soaked. Wet clothes add to your weight which might be a factor when riding the trapeze on a windy day. When they need the extra weight some sailors take a quick dip whilst in the trapeze to soak up some water.

Competitors shall not wear wet clothing for the purpose of increasing weight. Clothes worn on the water must be reasonable in terms of weather conditions.

A dinghy spray suit keeps the wind and spray off, keeping you comfortable but not necessarily dry. Wear it over one or two layers of clothes, if you don't need to use a wet suit. These suits are easy to swim in when you capsize and avoid windchill after you've been in the water.

All clothes worn for additional warmth shall be worn inside foul weather gear. Competitors are subject to inspection by the umpires to check compliance with these instructions.

Did we mention capsizing? Don't worry, capsizes are a normal part of sailing and nothing to fear. Be ready for an occasional dunking. It's good fun. With knowledge and practice, you will find capsizing a "breeze"; some breezes are stronger than others.

One of the first sailing lessons you will learn is how to self-rescue in the event of capsize, so prepare to get wet! Practice the capsize manoeuvre until you're completely confident. From then onwards, practice it whenever you can, maybe near the end of your sailing session.

The more you practice the capsize drill the better you'll be prepared for when it happens unexpectedly. When you fall into the water you may feel disorientated for a moment. Get used to it and learn to handle it.

Unless you're doing it for practice, capsize usually comes as a surprise. One minute you're sailing along and the next minute you're in the "drink". Having been caught off guard, it's important to stay calm.

When your boat capsizes, don't panic. It can be turned upright again.

The first thing to do is check yourself. Make sure that you are not injured or caught up in the rigging. Next, check your crew for the same. It is important that you both stay with the boat. Never leave your boat and attempt to swim to shore, or for help. Hold on to it for flotation. You are the most visible to rescuers if you stay with your boat. Should you require assistance, an open hand indicates that you need help. A closed fist means you are okay.

Follow these steps and you'll have your boat righted in no time at all:

2. Check yourself and your crew.

3. If any sheets are cleated, release them.

4. Skipper swims to the centreboard and pulls it all the way out, crew swims to bow and brings the boat head to wind.

5. Skipper climbs onto the end of the board and leans back to right the boat, crew holds the bow head to wind.

6. Skipper climbs into the boat and helps the crew in.

At this point your boat is probably full of water. Using the bailer you tied into your boat or the automatic bailer, sail off to drain out the water. A sailboat is designed to withstand the rigours of capsize practice and before long you may want to do it again.

Sometimes a capsize will result in your boat turtling. Normally, in a capsize the boat lies on its side with the mast and sails just under the water, but when we turtle, the mast points straight down and the boat bottom is up. Occasionally, you may even find that you end up under the turtled boat, but don't panic, there is a pocket of air for you to breathe.

If you end up under the hull, make sure you are not caught on anything, take a deep breath and bob under the hull to come up outside the boat. Remember that your PFD will pop you back to the surface.

A turtled boat is a bit more difficult to right. Begin by tossing a jib sheet over the bottom of the hull, behind the daggerboard/centreboard. Next, climb on the hull and pull back against the jib sheet to bring the mast back to a horizontal or capsized position. Often, the assistance of a safety boat is required.

"Hey, I've turtled my boat."