New Posts New Posts RSS Feed: Nationals Attendances
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Register Register  Login Login

Nationals Attendances
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  <1 19202122>
Author
  Share Topic Share Topic  Topic Search Topic Search  Topic Options Topic Options
sargesail View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more
Avatar

Joined: 14 Jan 06
Location: United Kingdom
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1459 		Post Options Post Options   Quote sargesail Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Nationals Attendances
    Posted: 14 Aug 17 at 10:51pm
Originally posted by iGRF

I think it's an age demographic thing, the classes that attract younger types probably hold up better than the one's that are generally supported by the 'been there, got the T shirt' generation.

Let's face it, it's a lot of hassle, getting the mast down, finding the road covers, checking the wheel bearings, just getting a number plate for your trailer board involves hoops to jump through these days if you've recently switched tow vehicles.

Then there's the journey, road trip it aint, these days of shuffling from one elongated car park to the next, risking E.European side swipes from TIRs, to unreasonable tolls on roads, then you get there, rig the damn thing with only the return to look forward to.

I've got the Solution nationals coming up, I'd love to be there, but can I be asked to go through all that? Nope

Having just done home to Weymouth to North Berwick to home, and with another trip to Scotland for a Nationals to come I'd say, 'No it's not a lot of hassle'.  Worth every moment.
Back to Top
turnturtle View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more


Joined: 05 Dec 14
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2538 		Post Options Post Options   Quote turnturtle Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Aug 17 at 10:29pm
Has anyone else noticed how Morrissey lyrics so wonderfully capture the concept of a dinghy national championship as a family holiday for the non-sailing element....

This is the coastal town
That they forgot to close down
Armageddon, come Armageddon!
Come, Armageddon! Come!

Everyday is like Sunday
Everyday is silent and grey

Hide on the promenade
Etch a postcard :
"How I Dearly Wish I Was Not Here"
In the seaside town
That they forgot to bomb
Come, come, come, nuclear bomb

Everyday is like Sunday
Everyday is silent and grey
Back to Top
Rupert View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more


Joined: 11 Aug 04
Location: Whitefriars sc
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 8956 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Rupert Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Aug 17 at 10:02pm
I do think the idea of the family holiday being the Nationals is something fewer people now consider. But surely the youngsters don't have this problem? Maybe we should look at the ages of those taking part in the adult classes, and see if the big fleets have a higher % of younger sailors?
Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686
Back to Top
423zero View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more


Joined: 08 Jan 15
Location: United Kingdom
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3420 		Post Options Post Options   Quote 423zero Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Aug 17 at 9:55pm
I find Pwhelli a bit dreary even on a summers day, mind their is a Wetherspoons now, can get cheap beer and burgers.
Back to Top
Gfinch View Drop Down
Groupie
Groupie
Avatar

Joined: 09 Nov 09
Location: United Kingdom
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 67 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Gfinch Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Aug 17 at 9:49pm
Merlin nationals also clashing with Salcombe YC Regatta right now - 11 Merlins sailing there and I'd assume some would do both events if they didn't clash.

Just back from North West Norfolk Week, had a fantastic time. Numbers for that were down, but it works very well as a holiday and not just a sailing event.

Next week is the N12 Nationals at Weymouth, expecting over 30 boats in line with recent numbers but slightly more than other classes have had this year - probably down to the venue though.
3513, 3551 - National 12
136069 - Laser
32541 - Mirror
4501 - Laser 4000
Back to Top
davidyacht View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more


Joined: 29 Mar 05
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1345 		Post Options Post Options   Quote davidyacht Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Aug 17 at 9:29pm
I suspect Pwhelli is a factor, an architects fantasy, form over function, in the middle of an industrial estate ... why anyone would choose this as a North Wales venue over Abersoch with its lovely clubhouse overlooking the bay is hard to figure out.
Happily living in the past
Back to Top
423zero View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more


Joined: 08 Jan 15
Location: United Kingdom
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3420 		Post Options Post Options   Quote 423zero Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Aug 17 at 9:19pm
Just spent 2 weeks in Aberdovey, no one there, hardly any traffic going or coming back, last year traffic on M54/A5 horrendous, perhaps it's not just sailing.
Back to Top
iGRF View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more
Avatar

Joined: 07 Mar 11
Location: Hythe
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6499 		Post Options Post Options   Quote iGRF Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Aug 17 at 8:11pm
I think it's an age demographic thing, the classes that attract younger types probably hold up better than the one's that are generally supported by the 'been there, got the T shirt' generation.

Let's face it, it's a lot of hassle, getting the mast down, finding the road covers, checking the wheel bearings, just getting a number plate for your trailer board involves hoops to jump through these days if you've recently switched tow vehicles.

Then there's the journey, road trip it aint, these days of shuffling from one elongated car park to the next, risking E.European side swipes from TIRs, to unreasonable tolls on roads, then you get there, rig the damn thing with only the return to look forward to.

I've got the Solution nationals coming up, I'd love to be there, but can I be asked to go through all that? Nope

Edited by iGRF - 14 Aug 17 at 8:12pm
Snow Equipment Deals    New Core Kite website
Back to Top
Oinks View Drop Down
Far too distracted from work
Far too distracted from work


Joined: 24 Oct 14
Location: Bandol
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 267 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Oinks Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Aug 17 at 7:19pm
Looking good in terms of pre-entries are 200s with 102 entrues (Tenby) and 400s with 70 entries (Mounts Bay). Both are pouplar venues with the RSs.
Back to Top
zeon View Drop Down
Far too distracted from work
Far too distracted from work


Joined: 20 Aug 16
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 316 		Post Options Post Options   Quote zeon Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Aug 17 at 12:13pm
Originally posted by turnturtle

Originally posted by RS400atC

Lasers, Ents, Merlins all poor turnouts in Wales.
Common denominator?

I'm sure someone can find a way to blame Brexit, or Donald Trump.

Don't we just normally just blame trolls on the forum?  LOL Wink

Seriously though I think it's a combination of all the above posts, time, demographics and personal relationships.
In my case the  British moth nationals run from Wednesday to Saturday, but most people arrive on Tuesday because that means you get more drinking in. Elaine and I tend to look at it as a holiday with added drinking and sailing, but this only works because we can both get the holiday and we both have the same interest. ( in the past I have still gone to the nationals with elaine even when I haven't taken a boat ! ) But in this modern age, time is tighter and couples have separate interests ( not like in the past when wife's and families were dragged along anyway  Smile )
I have no idea what the answer is, attendances seem to be down across the board and it doesn't seem to matter if a two day event or a week. 

For the record I think we had 27 for our nationals this year, which was slightly above the average attendance in recent years.

Sorry for the rambling post, out of practice posting on here  Smile
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  <1 19202122>

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Bulletin Board Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 9.665y
Copyright ©2001-2010 Web Wiz
Change your personal settings, or read our privacy policy