Dinghy Show

Oh yes... It was the DINGHY show last weekend! Lots of thoughts on that, not many of them good (though personally I had a 'good' show). One wonders how long it can continue in that format, with CA's paying out and not getting a fair return. A simple check of the media output shows that the majority of comments came from the big names present at the event. Picture wise, unless you were stood next to a pirate, or a walking version of the windward mark, you might as well have been in the outer car park at Crystal Palace. Once again the RYA showed an innate ability to mis-read the overall ethos of the event. This year the topic was dinghy cruising - a good topic that would go down well at the Outdoor Show, but for the many whose opinion I sought, was that what the Classes were supposed to be buying in to? Next year will be 'all about Rio', my bigger worry though is 2017! If Rio goes well for Team GBR, we'll be force fed a diet of how good the RYA are at making the UK the 'World Number One sailing nation' (as the latest 4 year plan tells us is the objective from the top). If Rio goes badly, in the search for success in 2020, my fear is that the grassroots will take an even bigger hit. Still, some of the classes need to wise up to the needs of the show too. I noted a number of supposedly 'senior' class stands that were far too quiet for the long term health of the class. The Fireballs did well, they have a real narrative going on about their upcoming Worlds later this year - that alone should see Pwllheli being a success. Well done to Suntouched for balancing out a professional stand, but with the 'buzz' and enthusiasm of a Class Association. Good to see the Alto hanging in there, some very clever ideas on various stands and some clear thinking aimed at the future - but equally a lot of rather sad and samey dross (hate to say it but iGRF may be right). Overall - just like the song, "it's the rich wot get the pleasure, it's the poor wot get the blame" - with the added hurt that they are having to pay ever more dearly for being second class citizens.

D

Well the RYA did us a nice little PR video...

I never really understood why clubs went to the show anyway. Whilst any passerby might get interested in your class, clubs are by definition only interested in people in their locality. And there have to be cheaper and more effective ways of targeting your local population. So unless your club is in a holiday area and you're seeking visitor membership why bother? Spend the money somewhere it will work harder.

Of course there are lots of "old" people at the show - it is a nice day out. I'm not sure whether that is actually too closely related to the same problem in water based sailing.

For as long as I can remember, the main reason I have heard for classes going to the show (apart from having a get together - a pub would be cheaper) is that if you don't go, people think the class is dead.

Mentally I'm the youngest person in this sport, if you can call it that..