Future of Sailing Clubs...

.....disagreements nearly always boil down to a purists v liberal standoff, even good natured ones, regardless of the subject. Neither side is a purely rational position either but more a result of what feels right for that individual.

As a suggestion I reckon a more inclusive, open approach would be a good idea, it sort of makes sense if attracting more participants is the goal.

If greater participation is not the goal (and some have said it isn't) the end result could be an endlessly decreasing number of participants as they all slowly distill down to their purest form.

Maybe there's a middle path, Maybe "sailing" was closer to that middle path a few years ago, it would certainly seem so if the comparison of historic and current activity on this forum is any gauge. I'm not just talking about quantity either, I'm thinking of breadth, inclusivity........perhaps that distillation process I mentioned earlier has already taken it's toll.........If it has then fairly soon there will be one bloke left with a hardon, lustfully spouting racing dinghy sailing in it's purest form to no one.

Personally I think ttc546 and Sam Spoons are bang on the money with their thoughts. Well done chaps. FWIW, it rings true to me.

Or were subjected to a business model which forced them to do things differently....not enough margin on the traditional stuff like beer and scratchings to pay the lease....

Originally posted by ttc546 Was anyone suggesting turning sailing clubs into social clubs?

I think I could point at a few that have gone a long way down that road.
Once you lose some semblence of regular racing, it's toughto turn things back.