Dinghy popularity

Originally posted by Granite Originally posted by iGRF Originally posted by Old Timer Why on earth do you think that all areas of the sport should be  to a novice? Why shouldn't they, give me the name of another sport that makes inaccessibility a feature? Pro Golfers use the same stuff as Amateurs, Pro Cyclists etc etc. It is precisely because of the inaccessibility factor that is driving the sport to the margins of coffin polishing. Kitesurfing is a pretty high on the list of 'dare devil' activity yet every weekend hundreds are being taught and they use the gear they are taught on. It was exactly the reason windsurfing was vanishing until the wide style evolution reversed the trend and delayed the sports total demise. The Fort William world cup course is pretty inaccessable to a cyclist who has not ridden off road before In road riding, most clubs would not welcome a novice into the middle of a pack without some instruction and practice first. In it is quite rare for beginners to be taken down the black run on racing skis. Mountain Climbing needs more specialist kit for Everest than Mount Snowdon In dinghy sailing there are plenty of stable easy to sail options as well as the more complex technical ones, there is something for everyone, even very accessable quite fast boats, just think beach cat!

Sorry you can't use that excuse, I could put you on a downhill bike and you could ride it, you could probably even ride it down the Fort William course, as could you like I just have, purchased a full race spec super light road bike and ride that, no you wouldn't have a prayer against the top guys, but the difference is you can at least enjoy the sensation.

Now, go and pick up a foiler and try your hand, even with instruction, or an MPS in anything other than very light stuff (I've won races in an MPS, but the moment the conditions turned to the point it might be fun to race it quickly became un manageable) Do I have to point you to Olympians and 49ers in China? When was the last time you saw that level of carnage at that level of competition? Even really rainy F1 or Muddy Downhill events do not witness the wholesale slaughter of just about everyone competing.

Is my point.

Originally posted by L123456 Originally posted by transient There's a quite a few cases of verbal abuse from several people on this forum lately, not worth singling out individuals........overall though it makes it a very unpleasant place to visit. ...perhaps the combo of recession and bad weather is pinching a few nerves  Compared to the "other sailing forum" this place is like a kindergarten .... It is just banter ...

Oh I see, git, moron, prat all banter, now I understand. What do you guys do when you really want to piss people off.



that aside and with reference to GRFs mention of the new and old market. There doesn't seem to be a better time to buy a pre-loved boat.

47 Ents
21 Furballs

Originally posted by iGRF Originally posted by RS400atC Am I the only person thinking we can live without some of these people in our sport? Well, the prices you (in a collective reference to the market) are expecting, who else will afford new products in order to feed second hand stuff down to the bottom feeders?

Edited by yellowwelly - 26 Jun 13 at 12:57pm

Originally posted by RS400atC Am I the only person thinking we can live without some of these people in our sport?

Well, the prices you (in a collective reference to the market) are expecting, who else will afford new products in order to feed second hand stuff down to the bottom feeders?

all the gear, no idea....