Twenty years from now

The final element of our training program is 'Start to race' where beginners practice and race against each other.

Someone who has just learned to play squash is unlikely to play against someone who has been playing competitively for 20+ years, are they? I'm crap at snooker - I'm unlikely to go to a snooker club and take on the club champ - it is simply a mismatch.

The great thing about sailing is that you CAN race against the best - it shouldn't mean that you HAVE to. The idea is to get people enthused at the idea of racing, and to give them some of the skills needed to feel comfortable sailing close to other boats - then they might jump into club racing and actually enjoy it, especially if they join in with others who have been through the same process.

In squash they play in tables and try and work their way up I recall, something we should consider with the handicap system and I believe in Golf you can play alongside Tiger Woods if you like to your handicap so we're not that unique, we just f**k up the potential by not using our grey matter, or should I say 'they' don't use 'their' grey matter.

Originally posted by Thunder Road Originally posted by Rupert Sportive racing sounds a little like the novice racing with a bit of coaching on the side that I try and run for juniors and their parents. Looking at it from the angle mozzy has, it would be quite easy to expand it a little and see what happens. I find it a little depressing that we need a half way to club racing. What does it say about us as people that others should find club racing intimidating? Club racing is beer racing round the cans, I find it hard to believe it becomes important to people, they'll be having protests next!

I have noticed in this thread that most of the "negatives" mentioned that may reduce participation in the future are almost all exclusively under the control of individual Clubs, rather than the RYA, so the situation may arise where if these clubs are to survive, they may have to evolve their practices to remain attractive.

When I first started sailing at my club (being brutally honest) it appeared extremely unfriendly to newcomers, to the point where I'm not sure I had a social conversation with any other member for at least 6 months (and those that know me will testify that I'm no wallflower).
There was at that time no Youth and Junior sailing as this was carried out partly by the School's set-up at the same water, combined with an over-riding attitude that if you wanted your kids to sail you should take them to Bowmoor and stick them in an Oppie.
The clubhouse facilities were ok, but not inviting.

This has all changed, with an extremely welcoming attitude from staff and membership, and the whole club takes pride and supports in every possible way our Y&J sailors whole have grown and shown the club in such a good light. Partly because of this programme the club has been able to upgrade it's facilities tremendously and has embraced the opportunity to host events like the Oxford Blue.

I'm extremely proud of this transformation under the guidance of a number of forward-thinking Commodores and Committees. It is somewhat sad that such a thing is unusual in a modern sport, but the fact that our new Commodore is a lady (shock-horror!) and in her 20's (gasp!) is demonstrative of what a progressive and inclusive Club we have.