Sailwalking
A sail can be used for only so long before it must be replaced. Rather than immediately dispose of old sails, tiderider families will keep them for the sport of sailwalking. Part amusement and part a test of skill, the objective is to stretch a sail over the water and walk across it without falling down.
History
For thousands of years, old sails have been cut up and used to make large bowls in which children could be safely taught to swim, even in the middle of the ocean. For as long as sails were woven with traditional methods and materials, the swimming bowls would disintegrate about the time the newer sails would need replacing, in a stable low-waste cycle. Improvements in sailmaking disrupted that cycle, as stronger cloth that resisted damage from constant use also better resisted the wear and tear of swimming lessons. Young tideriders would often attempt to "help" by pulling the cloth of a swimming bowl tight and jumping on it. Older family members were quick to abolish that practice, but also gave free rein to using the just-retired sail to play with. Although there are many good sail games, sailwalking is the most well-known to all tiderider families.
Execution
Each corner of the sail is tied to a small boat. Rowers do their best to keep the sail as smooth and taut as possible. Runners jump from one boat and try to make it diametrically across the sail without losing their footing. A run is considered a success if it is accomplished with only the runner's bare feet touching the sail. Getting immersed does not automatically disqualify a runner, since the sail will inevitably sag, but using the arms underwater to maintain stability is considered cheating.
Participants
At a minimum, the game requires two rowers per boat, one runner, and one referee. A more serious sailwalking match can have up to four rowers in each boat, with an extra boat for the longest side of the sail, and three to five referees judging the competitors.
Remove these ads. Join the Worldbuilders Guild
Comments