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Steve411 View Drop Down
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Posts: 705 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Steve411 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Nationals Attendances
    Posted: 21 Aug 17 at 1:51pm
Originally posted by Drylander

I'm confused by many of the comments made on this post, having sailed Pwllheli and Abersoch on many occasions I would choose Pwllheli every time as being friendly and always top class race management along with places to stay on site ( camping motorhome etc )  
Abersoch, not the most friendly, no where to stop on site and the prices ! well proper get rich quick brigade, and we won't mention the race management.
Now Salcombe, I love Salcombe but same again, no where to camp within walking distance and drive in parking is crazy and expensive as is the town generally, so I guess it's down to personal choice, and why anyone would want to go to Hayling Island I don't know that must be the most dismal place on the uk coast.


Pwwllheli, really? Totally uninspiring town (I'm being kind here) and hardly any B&Bs. Abersoch - lovely town with plenty of places to stay. I would seriously consider not doing a Nationals if it was at Pwllheli, and I never miss a Nationals.
Steve B
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transient View Drop Down
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Posts: 715 		Post Options Post Options   Quote transient Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Aug 17 at 1:33pm
Originally posted by laser193713

Originally posted by transient

Originally posted by Drylander

and why anyone would want to go to Hayling Island I don't know that must be the most dismal place on the uk coast.



.........and sandy too. I hate sand. Thumbs Down

What's wrong with Hayling? I've always found the club very welcoming, the sailing area is great and I have no issue with sand!



The sand inevitably ends up on the ropes and in your boat, prematurely knackering cleats and fittings. Grit everywhere yuck.

For the purposes of this discussion I think the experience of visiting sailors can be divided into 2 catagories: The sailing and the ambience. I know that a lot of the hotshots don't give a toss about  ambience but for those of us with more mainstream sensibilities it does matter. There's more to life than just functionality, particularly if you've taken a precious week off work to attend a nationals with your family.

The sailing at Hayling is undoubtedly excellent for a visitor.  Ambience for a visitor? Nah. Not in my experience as a non racing visitor on many occasions....a lot better than Weymouth though.
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laser193713 View Drop Down
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Posts: 889 		Post Options Post Options   Quote laser193713 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Aug 17 at 12:32pm
Originally posted by transient

Originally posted by Drylander

and why anyone would want to go to Hayling Island I don't know that must be the most dismal place on the uk coast.



.........and sandy too. I hate sand. Thumbs Down

What's wrong with Hayling? I've always found the club very welcoming, the sailing area is great and I have no issue with sand!
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423zero View Drop Down
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Posts: 3420 		Post Options Post Options   Quote 423zero Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Aug 17 at 8:47pm
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transient View Drop Down
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Posts: 715 		Post Options Post Options   Quote transient Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Aug 17 at 8:43pm
Originally posted by Drylander

and why anyone would want to go to Hayling Island I don't know that must be the most dismal place on the uk coast.



.........and sandy too. I hate sand. Thumbs Down
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Drylander View Drop Down
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Posts: 11 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Drylander Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Aug 17 at 8:17pm
I'm confused by many of the comments made on this post, having sailed Pwllheli and Abersoch on many occasions I would choose Pwllheli every time as being friendly and always top class race management along with places to stay on site ( camping motorhome etc )  
Abersoch, not the most friendly, no where to stop on site and the prices ! well proper get rich quick brigade, and we won't mention the race management.
Now Salcombe, I love Salcombe but same again, no where to camp within walking distance and drive in parking is crazy and expensive as is the town generally, so I guess it's down to personal choice, and why anyone would want to go to Hayling Island I don't know that must be the most dismal place on the uk coast.
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423zero View Drop Down
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Posts: 3420 		Post Options Post Options   Quote 423zero Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Aug 17 at 10:05am
Single carriage roads most of the way don't help, get some knob driving at 40mph, like driving to St Ives before the A30.
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davidyacht View Drop Down
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Posts: 1345 		Post Options Post Options   Quote davidyacht Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Aug 17 at 9:45am
Originally posted by Dougaldog

Davidyacht: I am well aware of the failings, on both sides, that took place during the event you refer to, but think it a bit sad that PSC are being pilloried unfairly. As I said, there were failings on both sides but this is hardly the forum for airing just one side of the grievances. I was at Hayling Island recently and would rather be here than there (and that is from some who lives on the IOW).I'm at PSC now and have seen them working hard across the week to make the Merlin Champs a success. I'm then staying on here to cover the IC worlds so will be able to give an better informed and reasoned view in 10 days time.
But is it really just a case that it is being held at PSC? I don't think so and will do a short article looking back at the week here. Instead, if there is one factor that has hit the success of this week it has to be the weather - it has been grotty since day one. The Wind Guru/XC weather effect that we often talk about is in plain view here.
However, all this is just part of a bigger picture. Defining what that bigger picture is, wow, that is a task and a half and I've little doubt that the RYA will continue to fund Consultant activity as they look at rebuilding the grassroots of the sport - if that is what they might want to do. And that is an even bigger question...do they even want to do it!
D
Ventnor/IOW

Dougal, I accept that I may be harsh on Plas Heli based on my own experience, which may (hopefully) have been a one off, my experiences, of which I don't think I am alone, highlight that a bit of effort is required from the hosts if they want to grow as a venue, I was warned by the Opi parents before I went, and many Solo sailors gave feedback to the Merlins.

The key point made elsewhere is that a venue needs to stack up both on and off the water, otherwise it simply is not a holiday, which is important for 80% of the fleet ... which is why I cannot understand why Abersoch has been usurped by Plas Heli by several classes.

Continuity is another important aspect, so if you have good venues on a cycle then this also encourages better turnouts.

I can see Plas Heli being a better Worlds venue than a Nationals venue, when that big circular shed could be great for bimbling with your IC in the rain, and when a good view from the bar is less important ... I just hope that they sweep the sand off the slipway ... they are heavy old boats (canoes).
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Posts: 1459 		Post Options Post Options   Quote sargesail Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Aug 17 at 8:51am
Originally posted by Dougaldog

Sargesail. It isn't the only factor but it certainly seems to be one of them - that is judging from some of the comments I've had over the last three weeks. It isn't just the Wind Guru thing but some six weeks ago we were warned of an extended period of unsettled weather with rain and strong winds. The result of this 'climate change' (I'm using the words carefully for I do not know if it is or if this is just a statistical blip) is that a number of lower mid fleet sailors that I have spoken to are questioning the value to them of attending. Is this a detail in the bigger picture that yet has to be understood? That the hot shots will still be there at the front of the fleet, but the bigger numbers further down are starting to question what they are attending for?  If so, it is certainly a new dynamic that will change the nature of the annual gatherings. I'm seeing something but right now, I'm not sure quite what it is. Demographics are playing a part too.....in the end, the answer might well be the classic 'all of the above'!

D

Wow.  I'm amazed that anybody would make a decision based on a forecast at that long a range.

To me that sounds like an excuse...and the real reason is found in other factors.  But you're the one that spoke with them.

I've seen some proper work on climate change in my job.  This ain't it.  Not yet.

What we really need to do is get everyone on Predictwind rather than XC or Windguru.  When you see what the different (and better) models are suggesting it's much easier to make an informed decision.

Or just look at some isobars as well as XC etc.  Often they tell the truth where the model makes up some rubbish.
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Gordon 1430 View Drop Down
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Posts: 310 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Gordon 1430 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Aug 17 at 8:33am
Hi Dougal
Do you think its the old style 1 week but now multi race  championship that is the problem?  Both the Ents and the Merlins have gone with to this and when its not a great Holiday venue what's the attraction for families.
Where as the Merlin Salcombe week style event is based on only racing once a day so the family can do other things for a least part of the day.
So for fleets is the solution to have either a week but only sail max two races a day leaving half the day free for other activities ( Picking sensible holiday venues) or long weekends and pack 3 or 4 races per day, not worrying about wives and children.
As is said n the media were now a time poor society.
Gordon
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