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Paramedic View Drop Down
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Posts: 929 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Paramedic Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: RYA Wokebomb
    Posted: 13 Apr 21 at 7:09am
Thats a good point, we are in a bit of a state of flux at the moment. 

To expect a full return to what we had in 2019 is probably unrealistic because we have changed as a population, I think most clubs can glean a positive or two from the pandemic (Zoom meetings, equipment cleaning regimen) that wont be going away anytime soon.

The point about basic values is also a good one, and might tie in to my take on the "old days" with people being prepared to give more time. The trouble is I think time will still be a precious commodity - but has it ever been anything else?
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Posts: 1312 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Do Different Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Apr 21 at 5:33am
We all really ought to be able to learn something from this COVID experience. Many people have reassessed their priorities both through choice and force work. We appear to be seeing a rise in the appreciation for more basic values of community, outside space, creativity. If we look forward to a refreshed way of thinking possibly we will also see our particular interest of water activities in a new light which offers solutions instead of looking for problems.  
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Posts: 929 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Paramedic Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Apr 21 at 7:44am
Originally posted by DiscoBall



Appears being operative word David - can you furnish any evidence that this is a specifically modern phenomenon and that the 'old days' were measurably better? 


I think I can point to why we are seeing more problems obtaining volunteers, basically the early retirement generation of the mid 90's are now well into their 70's. We've had quite a good innings out of them, but because they did such a good job at many clubs there hasn't been the need for others to do some of the very basic stuff that the Wednesday afternoon clubs have taken care of.

Necessity breeds invention and if you don't need to do things you don't make the time do you?

I'm not necessarily sure that the 60's, 70's or 80's were "better" as such in any way apart from perhaps it might have been easier to find members and members wanted to join a club rather than use a facility? We have lost the ethos that the member also gives to the club in the last 15-20 years I think, party because we had it covered and also maybe partly because its no longer PC for clubs to want to attract the "right" sort of member? If you have to jump through a few hoops to be part of a body of people you are more likely to contribute in order to belong - and that ethos has gone from many clubs, mainly the inner city ones. I'm not saying that this is entirely a bad thing at all, but it might have drifted slightly too far?

Just think how many clubs do interviews? Ask occupation? Its important for the club to know its members and while an interview is a forced situation it might be less intimidating that walking into a noisy bar full of people you don't know?

The days of the ultra exclusive, black ball system, tie in the bar clubs are largely long gone except in a very small circle and this is better for the sport without doubt. But the sport does also need to use its participants.
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jeffers View Drop Down
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Posts: 3048 		Post Options Post Options   Quote jeffers Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Apr 21 at 4:19pm
Originally posted by davidyacht

Originally posted by jeffers

Originally posted by davidyacht

Snip
My point made in previous posts is that in order to deliver a scaleable sailing experience to bring people from all walks of life into sailing, a modern sports centre with a slipway, of which WPNSA is a good example, is a good way to do it, and there is more to this than the bricks and mortar.  A dinghy racing club with volunteer overload may be less effective, particularly if there is a turnover and shortage of volunteers, who in any case may not be trained or be the best people to deliver.

Have you looked at the costs of keeping a boat at WPNSA? It certainly isn't cheap!

You cannot just rock up and launch from there either IIRC.

Not suggesting that it is cheap.  I have been visiting there for a few years for Solo events.  I am always struck by the level of sporting activity including loads of kids under supervision of instructors, dragon boat racing, triathlons etc. etc.  It appears to me that the sports club with a slipway and paid employees may be the way where watersports will proliferate in the future.  

It may not be what we like or are used to, but the demographics of race and sex are not as set in stone as many clubs, and I don't think that there are the same barriers to participation.

Most of the youth stuff is by Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation (based in the big wooden sheds near the northern slip).

For an event they are great, we had our nationals there. They made it very easy for the class and reasonably priced too. I volunteered at NSSA there as well, that was a great event only spoiled by the stereotypical oppi parents who refused to wait until the NSSA attendees had cleared the boat park area. This was despite them being pointedly told by the dinghy park manager they were not allowed in to the areas occupied by the NSSA teams until after 6pm on the final day.... 

As for clubs, there will be a place for Sailing Clubs but they need to diversify into other areas of water sports. My own club permits paddling (kayaks, SUPs, canoes) and are currently talking about allowing open water swimming training. Sailing will always be the primary focus but allowing the other sports appeals to families where some might not want to sail but will happily go for a paddle.
Paul
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Posts: 382 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Oatsandbeans Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Apr 21 at 3:50pm
I was amazed by the standard of the changing rooms at WPNSA when I was there a few years back-a bit sh!t and I have seen some changing rooms in my time
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davidyacht View Drop Down
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Posts: 1345 		Post Options Post Options   Quote davidyacht Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Apr 21 at 3:25pm
Originally posted by jeffers

Originally posted by davidyacht

Snip
My point made in previous posts is that in order to deliver a scaleable sailing experience to bring people from all walks of life into sailing, a modern sports centre with a slipway, of which WPNSA is a good example, is a good way to do it, and there is more to this than the bricks and mortar.  A dinghy racing club with volunteer overload may be less effective, particularly if there is a turnover and shortage of volunteers, who in any case may not be trained or be the best people to deliver.

Have you looked at the costs of keeping a boat at WPNSA? It certainly isn't cheap!

You cannot just rock up and launch from there either IIRC.

Not suggesting that it is cheap.  I have been visiting there for a few years for Solo events.  I am always struck by the level of sporting activity including loads of kids under supervision of instructors, dragon boat racing, triathlons etc. etc.  It appears to me that the sports club with a slipway and paid employees may be the way where watersports will proliferate in the future.  

It may not be what we like or are used to, but the demographics of race and sex are not as set in stone as many clubs, and I don't think that there are the same barriers to participation.
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jeffers View Drop Down
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Posts: 3048 		Post Options Post Options   Quote jeffers Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Apr 21 at 12:10pm
Originally posted by davidyacht

Snip
My point made in previous posts is that in order to deliver a scaleable sailing experience to bring people from all walks of life into sailing, a modern sports centre with a slipway, of which WPNSA is a good example, is a good way to do it, and there is more to this than the bricks and mortar.  A dinghy racing club with volunteer overload may be less effective, particularly if there is a turnover and shortage of volunteers, who in any case may not be trained or be the best people to deliver.

Have you looked at the costs of keeping a boat at WPNSA? It certainly isn't cheap!

You cannot just rock up and launch from there either IIRC.
Paul
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Posts: 360 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Sussex Lad Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Apr 21 at 10:51am
yep.
The world has changed and so have attitudes.

Bewl doesn't appeal to me but that type of organisation does seem to have kept pace (to a certain degree) with the new mindset........which is less likely to volunteer and is more individualistic.
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JimC View Drop Down
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Posts: 6662 		Post Options Post Options   Quote JimC Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Apr 21 at 10:40am
I don't think there's much doubt the volunteer demographic has changed. Much the same generation has been running sailing clubs since the 70s. For whatever reason that generation has been unable to hand over to the next in the way their predecessors were able to. There's a meme you'll find that "Oh the old farts won't let go" but when was the last time your sailing club had a contested election?
Its perhaps more to the point that most club officers are guilt tripped into "volunteering" and perhaps its easier to do that to the people you've known for years rather than the next generation?

Edited by JimC - 07 Apr 21 at 10:45am
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NicolaJayne View Drop Down
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Posts: 109 		Post Options Post Options   Quote NicolaJayne Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Apr 21 at 10:04am
Originally posted by 423zero

No good quoting robotic nations like Sweden or Japan etc, British people tend to not like being told what to do, we need to find a way that works with our national character.

in thread about challenging  stereotypes and assumptions  what do we find ...  Stereotypes and assumptions ... 
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