The one-turn penalty. If a boat fouls another (or hits a mark), it can clear itself on the spot by doing one full turn — a tack and a gybe, about seven seconds. If you see your sailor suddenly spin a circle mid-race: that's not a mistake, that's them fixing a mistake. It's how the sport teaches accountability.
In "the zone" (close to a mark), the same foul costs two turns.
The 30% scoring penalty. If a sailor realizes after the race that they fouled and didn't take their turn, they can accept a 30% scoring penalty ashore instead of facing a protest hearing. Owning it costs less than fighting it — by design.
Protests. The formal route: a hearing with a small panel (at these events, usually experienced coaches) run in a quick "three-minute justice" format. Losing a protest typically means disqualification from that race — which is why coaches tell kids: just do your turn on the water.
Parent translation: turns are normal, healthy, and self-served. If your kid spins a circle and sails on, the system worked exactly as intended.