Sailing Command | UK (RYA) | Australia (AS) | Hong Kong (HKSF) | Japan (JSAF) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stop / Neutral | Flat palm up, fingers together | Clenched fist held high | Clenched fist or flat palm | Clenched fist (common in training) |
| Slow Down | Flat palm moving slowly up and down | Thumbs down | Flat palm moving up and down | Flat palm pressing down |
| Speed Up | Thumbs up | Thumbs up | Circular "winding" arm motion | Thumbs up |
| Come to Me | Arms waving in an arc | Both hands on top of head | Reciprocal arm motion or patting head | Arms beckoning inward |
| Go Home / Finish | Both hands above head forming a triangle | Both hands above head forming a triangle | Patting top of head | Triangle or patting head |
| Distance to Line | Vertical fingers (1 finger = 1 boat length) | Vertical fingers | Vertical fingers | Vertical fingers |
| Hold Course | Clenched fist held steady | Clenched fist steady | Clenched fist or pointing forward | Clenched fist |
| Man Overboard | Large arm waves | Pointing to the person's location | Large arm waves and pointing | Arm waves and pointing |
Key Differences to Note:
- The "Home" Signal: In Australia, the triangle (roof) is the gold standard for "Go Home." In Hong Kong, you are more likely to see the instructor patting their head to signal "Return to Base."
- Instructional Style: The UK and Hong Kong systems are closely linked through RYA standards, focusing on palm-based signals, whereas Australia (AS) utilizes a very specific "Hands-on-Head" gesture for communication between the coach boat and students.
