Is the Cadet finished?

Originally posted by MerlinMags Originally posted by Assassin ...the graph kind of proves my point, those Cadet numbers are not very good.... Actually I thought the graph was indicating good health in all those classes; nowhere near dropping out of '50+ club' that indicates a successful adult class. And I don't think the trends have been going on long enough to call them a trend yet. Obviously the Cadet and Mirror numbers have to suffer a bit as the Feva expands, as there's probably (roughly) the same number of kids sailing in the UK overall. Thinking back to my days in the Cadet has made me realise one important point: I wouldn't have wanted to go sailing if I was scared, or felt I couldn't control the boat. Giving me a faster/twitchier boat would have put me off. I know some kids are gung-ho and brave, but there's plenty of wimps out there too, probably accounting for 75% or more of the fleet. A 54kg Cadet which doesn't wobble like crazy, and steers solidly, is a good option to keep the kids smiling (and not retiring) in a greater range of wind strengths.

Ditto. See my last post.

Originally posted by Assassin ... We are really retarding young sailors opportunities by keeping them in such boats as Cadets and bloody Mirrors just to keep parents happy who make up stories about their children enjoying their sailing.

No-one keeps a youngster in a boat they're too big for, but those of smaller stature (me, when I was that age, and GRF even now) fit them. Reducing the age limit will achieve nothing - the big kids move on anyway. Are you really suggesting that little Johnny gets a Feva / Tera / Whizbang / Whatever all on his own when the rest his peer group at the club are in Oppies / Cadets / Mirrors? Don't be ridiculous. How will having no comparison points make him a better sailor ?

And, anyway, older youths typically with crews 4-6 years their junior make great teachers. The younger kids will listen to and try to emulate their heroes rather than take on board the 'wisdom' according to grown-ups.

A minority of parents use sailing as a creche for their offspring, but that's probably true of many other sports, too. There comes a time when any pastime not being enjoyed is rejected out of hand. Parents should encourage,  not coerce, and clubs should try to provide an environment where enjoyment is possible. I walked away from a different sport in my teens because the regime changed and it ceased to be enjoyable. One of my siblings didn't enjoy sailing as much as I and the other sibling did/do. He also voted with his feet.

We have kids desperate to do their S4 in a mirror.  No interest in the Feva though.  I think they see the mirror as more challenging!  When I asked if they might prefer a cadet they didn't know what I was talking about.

It largely makes sense to teach kids in singlehanders.  The majority are much more fearless than their adult counterpart and want to be in control straight away.  By teaching them in single handers they get 100% 'tiller time' and so learn much more quickly.  There are some who will want another person in the boat with them, but that's usually a competent sailor rather than another child.

What saddens me as an instructor is that most parents would rather place a complete novice on a course rather than teach them themselves by sailing with their child as crew.  The old way, in other words.  This method got the child confident in the boat, used to the tippiness and ready for the boom, before they then also need to focus on helming as well.  A child that has been out with a parent several times is far readier to be taught than a child who has never been afloat. 

I also dislike the persistent chasing of Stages; parents will put a child through stage one or two then exepct it to be ready for stage three regardless of whether or not it has had any water time in between.  Stages should be there as a mark of competence and confidence, not a prize to be chased at all costs.