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Dougaldog View Drop Down
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Posts: 356 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Dougaldog Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Nationals Attendances
    Posted: 10 Sep 17 at 3:35pm
Another good point Jim! However, as I've already explored in another article, adding sail (or sails) does little for the mid-fleet downwards.......nor does a protracted series of windy seasons. So another contributory factor. My best guess is that none of these changes alone are sufficient to bring about the downturns that have been seen, yet together (and with more 'x' factors - as yet unidentified circumstances) they add up to a fundamental change. It is not the only one either...... which suggests again that the old school championship format may itself be part of the problem!

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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: 10 Sep 17 at 5:52pm
I think the downturns occur when a class steps out of the matrix of what the class expect of a championship, some classes like championships in school holidays, some don't, some like venues such as WPNSA or Pwhelli others like twee seaside villages, so when a class steps out of the matrix regular participants miss a year, breaking the habit, and then never find the time to get back into the habit.

A bad Championship could be down to the weather, wind, vibe at the event and so forth, this could also be a reason for competitors to drop out; I suspect that weather and amount of wind are something that competitors are prepared to accept with their sport ... an unfriendly welcome, or lack of effort by a club is less easily forgiven.
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Paramedic View Drop Down
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Posts: 929 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Paramedic Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Sep 17 at 8:09am
Then there are classes who think that they like championships run at small, sleepy seaside villages with small volunteer clubs but expect top level professional race management.

You can't always have both!
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Loyboy View Drop Down
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Posts: 8 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Loyboy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Sep 17 at 10:13am
90 National Solos at the Championship in Torquay, 73 at the Inlands, 63 at Hayling for the Pusinelli Trophy. While the Solo may not appeal across the spectrum it provides close racing in big fleets.
The NSCA work closely with our suppliers to provide prizes throughout the fleet, we also usually cover the events with video (which other classes have caught onto). We will hit 100 + next year, choosing a venue with home fleet support boosts numbers. We will trial a 3 day Nationals in 2019 but only because we are also going to Carnac for the Nation's Cup and wish to maximise both venues attendances. As Davidyacht mentioned, dilution of the classes is the main reason for lower attendance. RS Aero 5,7,9, Devotti Zero, OK, Phantom, Streaker, Laser, Radial, Blaze, RS 100,300,700....
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iGRF View Drop Down
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Posts: 6499 		Post Options Post Options   Quote iGRF Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Sep 17 at 10:21am
Why is that I wonder, what on earth is it about that decrepit hulk that encourages 90 presumably sound minds to waste a weekend of their life trapped in a boat that is neither comfortable, nor exciting to sail in any way? LIke the GP14 another totally dross hulk, it's also enjoying an upsurge, why do they do it?
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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: 11 Sep 17 at 10:31am
Hi
The race management at the Phantoms was excellent in part because the team was run by two top class dinghy helms, many thanks to Simon and Gary. We also teamed up with the Europe's which added a few extra boats and a good fun bit of banter. Hopefully this made a success for Highcliffe
SC who did a brilliant job.
They tried to get us back on track on the Sunday but the weather gods were not having it.
Hope next year is as much fun and brilliant sailing.
Gordon
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JimC View Drop Down
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Posts: 6662 		Post Options Post Options   Quote JimC Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Sep 17 at 10:55am
Originally posted by Gordon 1430

....excellent in part because the team was run by two top class dinghy helms

My experience of watching our club racing is that the biggest cockups are often made by top class sailors. There's after all no especial reason why the two different skill sets must overlap.
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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: 11 Sep 17 at 11:09am
Hi Jim
I know what you mean, but having a feeling for how far to let the wind and sea state combination rather than a class dictated wind strength and forecast be the guide as to when to say enough is enough and send us all in.
I don't think a bigger boat race officer would have sent us out Friday or Sunday and we would have missed some great racing.
 
Gordon
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Saraband View Drop Down
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Posts: 7 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Saraband Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Sep 17 at 11:13am
I managed to do 3 national championships in a 30 day period this year, only missing on a 4th event because it overlapped by a couple of days. All events run by volunteers.....one was excellent the other two still good. One OD drove me up the wall with his admin and briefings but I wouldn't miss an event just to miss him! 

All 3 events brought home to me why I go to opens and nationals.....wherever I was in the fleet I had good racing against lots of boats and my skill level has improved compared to my club fleet. Socially they were all good fun with varying levels.

I struggle to understand why people are no longer travelling to opens / nationals. As holidays they are not that expensive, camping lowers the costs and double trailers still further. XC Weather / Windguru excuses don't explain poor nationals attendances because as others have said, bookings for holidays accommodation and early entry fee discounts mean you are committed to going well before a weather forecast is available. 

I stopped travelling to opens a few years ago when I went back into a singlehander....it took a couple of us talking in a bar one night to realise what we were missing. A few weeks later and with a borrowed double stacker we were back on the road and we have now been doing that for the past few years.......who can not enjoy a road trip with a mate every month or so??!!

So, I think people need to cut the excuses of venues, XC Weather, too many classes and just get out there and sail more often......
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fab100 View Drop Down
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Posts: 1005 		Post Options Post Options   Quote fab100 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Sep 17 at 11:18am
Originally posted by iGRF

Why is that I wonder, what on earth is it about that decrepit hulk that encourages 90 presumably sound minds to waste a weekend of their life trapped in a boat that is neither comfortable, nor exciting to sail in any way? LIke the GP14 another totally dross hulk, it's also enjoying an upsurge, why do they do it?

Graeme, you can keep asking this same question, this is the umpteenth time, about Lasers, Solos, GP14s et al, but you will continue to get the same answer ('cos it's true) - because those people want close, class racing - and they prioritise that over other factors you may consider more important but they do not.

You may not like it, but that's the way it is. In your opinion they may be 'wrong', but do you believe anyone in that Solo fleet really gives a damn what you think? Perhaps it's not them missing the point, it's you.

A better question you might ask instead, is why would anyone spend their precious leisure time (and more often money than sailing requires) watching a bunch of over-paid, preening prima-donnas roll around on the floor feigning injury (interspersed with bits of running about chasing a football) or ruining a walk by hitting a small ball with a stick along the way, or Morris Dancing, or getting up at dawn to plow up and down a swimming pool for the sake of it, or hundreds of other naff things they do, when they could be going sailing, the ultimate sport (in any of its forms).

Trying to 'manage' the audience you already have can at best retain that population level. How about looking at the other 99%. But that's probably another thread...
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