Club handicap races turnout figures

Sailing on a river, we also have Dinghy Cruises up river or down river depending on the tide. They are more cuise in company so are dependant although they do take a rescue boat just in case.

We have an issue with Juniors not participating in Club racing although for the cadet regatta (at the end of cadet week) we could have 40 boats out! We started last year doing Sail Training days which got over 20 cadets out at its peak.

You run weekly racing for an average of 3 boats?

  well, manged to persuade the committee to create a young persons position on the sailing commmittee, also now asking younger members to do the power / safety boat courses so they can do duties. Placing youngsters in an assitant instructor role also. I've also been given the job of targetting schools and colleges for taster days and RYA 1&2 courses. Trying to get a younger membership by presenting an image that has youngsters at the core.....not sure what effect this will have, limited probably. We've also been doing press reports in local papers, something we haven't done for a few years.

.....but to be honest I think some com members don't want a bigger membership as it presents more work, more wear and tear and de-personalises the club, they could be right? (i'm on the fence with that notion) As a result, I'm trying to work out how to get more of the existing membership on the water.

 We have run a couple of "start racing" races which have peruaded a few inexperienced teams to race in the regular stuff... But maybe some organised "start racing" training courses would help