Heavy Test-out 420's, Lasers, and Techs

This is for experienced sailors who are on the water a lot. The conditions may be too severe to do a test-out. Wind Alert is showing 14 gusting to 34, Blue Red conditions, which is a no go.  Instructors discretion as to whether you are allowed out, even if it is "just" Blue flag.  Harvey has brought some of my heavy test-out students back and explained they were not prepared. They did not know the boat well enough. Know how to depower the sails, to raise the centerboard ( which isn't taught here much if, at all and should be, it is in your Tech manual), feathering, watching for pressure, wind shifts, proper capsize recovery, etc. You should know this information if you have a light rating as the weather can change while you're out on a casual light wind day sail. So, please do your homework. Understand that 26 mph wind isn't twice as powerful as 13 mph wind, it is 4 times as powerful! Power quadruples with a doubling of speed. Finally, check ALL the rigging on your vessel. Don't assume anything is good. Heavy wind has a way of finding a boats' deficiency, as well as its skippers! Be prepared and be safe!