How many sports do you play in which:

If you improperly interfere with an opponent’s actions, you must voluntarily take a penalty, and if you don’t, a group of other players decide whether to disqualify you.

Any number of people can play.

There are no referees, umpires, or judges.

The first rule in the rule book is that you will be thrown out of the race if you don’t come to the aid of contestant in danger.

A race can take 30 minutes or several months.

You can be removed from the contest for “gross poor sportsmanship.”

It is no help to be tall or short, or heavy or light, or a girl or a boy.

The weather can rainy, or sunny, or cold, or hot, or windy or not.

Everyone in the contest is your friend, even the ones you most want to beat.

You can compete individually or with friends.

Your can play in daylight or at night.

If the wind dies, you can go swimming.

You are welcome at anyone’s exclusive yacht club if you come by boat.

The decision to be in a contest is yours alone.

When competing, most of time you are out of hear shot of coaches and parents so you have to learn to take care of yourself.