Rockland — The final session of Rockland Community Sailing's first high school sailing team racing rules class concluded March 7 at the Apprenticeshop.

The class, taught by high school sailing coach Pat DiLalla and Camden Hills Regional High School sailing advisor Bob White, included 17 high school students and three parents

The instructors used boat models and other props, as well as animated discussion, for a topic sometimes seen as boring, said KC Heyniger, waterfront programs director for RCS.

The March 7 session culminated with the students breaking into teams to demonstrate racing scenarios with model boats and solving rules issues.

The classes were Tuesdays and Thursdays, Feb. 26 and 28, and March 5 and 7.

Sailing is a sport governed by a complex set of rules, Heyniger said. Unlike other sports, the rules are enforced during competition by the athletes. Understanding the rules is essential to competing in a safe, fair and sportsmanlike manner. The goal of the class was to lay the foundation for a thorough understanding of the racing rules of sailing.

For the class, the book "Understanding the Racing Rules of Sailing Through 2016," by Dave Perry, was provided to each student.

Courier Publications sports staff can be reached by phone at 207-594-4401 or by email at sports@courierpublicationsllc.com.