Clubs and Organising Authorities of events where competitors are weighed should use a weigh in process that respects the privacy and wellbeing of entrants.

Weigh-in procedures can be problematic and result in undue stress for any competitor, particularly the majority who are well outside the genuine elite athlete segment. Competitors who are asked to be a certain weight to meet the rule requirement often put their own health in jeopardy by withholding eating and hydration to remain light; acute weight loss practices may impair performance and result in serious health and safety risks.

A child with higher weight has a greater likelihood of experiencing emotional and social problems, such as bullying, low self-esteem and depression, compared to their healthier peers. Because of this, weigh in procedures at youth sailing events take on even greater importance.

At a recent school event, host club Sandy Bay Sailing Club in Tasmania implemented a ‘Weigh In’ policy to improve the privacy during the process and the wellbeing of our youth sailors. The policy was really successful with positive feedback from sailors and parents.

The Sandy Bay Sailing Club recognised that because of this an unwanted outcome “…can be departure from sport or the beginning of weight related stress in students that can result in longer term health issues around body image and eating disorder in both boys and girls.”

Any Organising Authority that holds weigh in should reassess their procedures. This is not just for children and could be done out of respect to anyone of any age or gender. Simple things can make the process more respectful.

• Provide private space for a ‘blind’ weigh in where other competitors can’t be present.
• Have the teacher or parent attend weigh in of children.
• Provide at least two adults, one male and one female to conduct the procedure.
• Make sure only those seeing the weight are the officials recording it, and the competitor.

There will be other things your club can do to respect competitors at a weigh in.

Another piece of advice from the Sandy Bay Sailing club was that “…weight is not the only determinant of performance and that the ability, attitude, commitment, and communication of students are likely to be more important considerations for the selection of crews”.

Given this, class associations and event owners that set the policies on crew weight really should reconsider how necessary it even is.

Information about making weight in weight category sports can be read here.

The Sandy Bay Sailing Club’s ‘Weigh In Policy and Procedures for Minors’ can be read here.

By Glen Stanaway

Image credit Triad’s Nathan Outteridge was lucky to be able to weigh in fully clothed - Zhik Etchells NSW State Championship 2011 © Tracey Johnstone