Youf Sailing

I was 9. Did some cadet sailing, bu mostly was at the front end of boats with adults helming.

Have to say, I'm not sure it would be anything like 20% who carry on, but with those who do and those who come into sailing later, there are plenty of enthusiastic sailors around. Never been convinced that actual numbers participating matter - there will always be people out there who love sailing, so it will never vanish as a sport, so I just like how many people who do sail let it take over their lives. More so than many other sports, I'd guess.

I have to file a participation report every month so we can receive some RYA funding.  Things are very healthy here right now, including some coming back after finishing at uni.  But there are four smallish clubs within a short distance if each other, and I know our near neighbours are not all faring so well.  To some large extent it is natural selection, of a sort; we provide lots of activities for our members, plus lots of opportunities to learn to race, so we are doing our best to ensure survival.

Wrong about what now? No, probably not.

Sounds like my help yesterday is working Jenna's up from 20th to laying 4th overall.

Nothing wrong in teaching kids to sail and enjoy a team spirited event, what's wrong is something within the squad system that traumatises them making them give up for good.

Biggest mistake they've made recently is laying off the Windsurfing Team Fifteen Lady, a total tragedy.

As to the rest of it, you've got to respect all the unsung heroes over there, thanklessly getting on with the job of shepherding them about and organising the event, especially in this day and age of CRB checks, elf n safety and whatever.

As yet none of our ex squad members have stopped sailing.  

Originally posted by iGRF Personal experience wing wang, my eldest, she beat Bryony Shaw in her first Nationals to win, then went onto the RYA Squad, did one weekend with them has never windsurfed since and wouldn't tell me what happened. I respected her wishes, but have always wondered. Jenna, she's not a squaddie but probably beating lots that are. If you want to train winners, you have to separate them from the system, all squads do is develop hierarchical duck pond mentality.