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Sussex Lad View Drop Down
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Posts: 360 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Sussex Lad Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: RYA Wokebomb
    Posted: 28 Mar 21 at 2:52pm
Originally posted by iGRF



Our best bet to attract new members is to appeal to those of our age and demographic


Precisely, and that's the silent conclusion most clubs have come to. There is a good level of box ticking tokenism going on but in the end the image of the sport prevails, it remains exclusive rather than inclusive. There is not the will to change it, not at club level and not at RYA level. The sport of sailing is almost a complete monoculture of attitudes and is the poorer for it imo
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Sam.Spoons View Drop Down
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Posts: 3400 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Sam.Spoons Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Mar 21 at 4:20pm
I don't see it that way, those incomprehensible* figures in the report suggest that ethnic minority participation in boating more or less matches the percentages of said minorities in the general population, strangely with white and black participation being below and mixed and asian being slightly above that percentage.

It's a bit like saying we must get 50% ethnic minorities sailing even though only around 15% of the population belongs to an ethnic minority in the UK?

* Unless I'm misinterpreting the figures, that guess above is based on the best I can interpret them, 


Edited by Sam.Spoons - 28 Mar 21 at 4:21pm
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blueboy View Drop Down
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Posts: 512 		Post Options Post Options   Quote blueboy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Mar 21 at 4:49pm
Originally posted by Wetabix

You may go up to anyone in your club who has a bigger boat than yours and demand to be allowed to sail it. 

Could you possibly point me at the specific paragraph that says this please? My boat is quite small and I'd like to take advantage of this splendid idea.
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Sussex Lad View Drop Down
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Posts: 360 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Sussex Lad Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Mar 21 at 4:53pm
Originally posted by Sam.Spoons

I don't see it that way, those incomprehensible* figures in the report suggest that ethnic minority participation in boating more or less matches the percentages of said minorities in the general population, strangely with white and black participation being below and mixed and asian being slightly above that percentage.

It's a bit like saying we must get 50% ethnic minorities sailing even though only around 15% of the population belongs to an ethnic minority in the UK?

* Unless I'm misinterpreting the figures, that guess above is based on the best I can interpret them, 


"Boating" covers a whole world of activities, most of which I have had no experience so can't comment.

Perhaps I should have specified but in my experience of marinas and sailing clubs the evidence of my own eyes differs vastly from your interpretation of those figures......and I do appreciate that the figures aren't that easy to fathom. Written by Jim Hackers under secretary perhaps. LOL
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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: 28 Mar 21 at 5:33pm
The percentage of white people who do water sports, sailing will be a tiny percentage, kayaking probably largest percentage, then you have all the other sports, swimming, surfing, rowing (could be lower percentage than sailing?).
Robert
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moomin View Drop Down
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Posts: 60 		Post Options Post Options   Quote moomin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Mar 21 at 7:00pm
IMO, there is a hint of buck passing by the RYA here, most sailing clubs are not elitist and will welcome any new members from any background at reasonable fees, club boats and help finding cheap second hand or crewing opportunities. The problem comes in the next stage, if you want to progress up the squads, get noticed by the RYA, then either on the elite system or into coaching you need financial backing. Travelling the country to events, staying in hotels, buying better quality kit, that's where the elitism comes in, and you need to do all that before getting close to any elite squad funding. This results in a lack of diversity in the RYA, and no role models.
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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: 28 Mar 21 at 7:15pm
I hadn't actually thought of this, but I wonder how diverse the RYA squads actually are? I would be surprised if our Y&J system at the club doesn't knock spots off it.
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maxibuddah View Drop Down
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Posts: 1760 		Post Options Post Options   Quote maxibuddah Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Mar 21 at 8:44am
Elitism - there are two parts, the one in the sport and the perception the public has of the sport. The former is the squads, olympics, etc, which probably only affects those within the sport. Those outside of it won't even know about it and it doesn't affect why or why not they won't engage with the sport.

The latter is the one that is part of the barriers to people coming into the sport. As said previous the RYA's actual title doesn't help - Royal and Yachting. Two things that scream elitism unfortunately. People think of yachts as big boats for the rich and wealthy. That will put them off straightaway. 

Further to that is the perceived cost. You need a boat, all the gear, etc, etc, etc. This is expensive. You may not think so but to a hefty portion of the country it really is. 

Everyone says their club is friendly and welcoming, but it is? Think of being a new person to the sport, coming through a gate, often large and protected by barbed wire to deter thieves, to somewhere down a dark lane to find someone who may or may not say hello. Intimidating to a lot. Just getting them through the gate to meet someone is difficult enough. But that is just one of the challenges, but one of the most important, at least if they are there you can talk to them and make them welcome. At the moment you feel like you must have to make an appointment, no just walking in off the street. Another barrier.

The only way the sport can prosper is to bring new people into it as there is always a turnover. Our club is concentrating on training and working at trying to retain the kids that come and those adults too. It is fairly successful but it does fall on a team of volunteers that must be at their limit of what they can do. I don't know how you can overcome that issue. But yes introducing youths and middle-aged is possibly the only way to keep going.
Everything I say is my opinion, honest
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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: 29 Mar 21 at 9:07am
People can approach on the lakeside, not very good security to encourage people to just walk in boat park and club house, members wallets and such are just hanging up in the changing rooms.
Robert
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maxibuddah View Drop Down
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Posts: 1760 		Post Options Post Options   Quote maxibuddah Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Mar 21 at 9:18am
Originally posted by 423zero

People can approach on the lakeside, not very good security to encourage people to just walk in boat park and club house, members wallets and such are just hanging up in the changing rooms.

Provide lockers and the like or encourage people to lock their valuables in their cars. Or have keypads on changing room doors. Leaving stuff in a changing room is asking for trouble unfortunately. 

If we want people to join in we need to make the approach to clubs easier. People are reluctant to join in if there are any barriers to do so. Its far easier to make an excuse not to do something than to do it. 

Perhaps we need to get the RYA to start advertising family friendly things in non sailing places more. I don't know what they do currently as things like facebook algorithms are skewed to the individual so I see them regularly but thats cos I follow a lot of sailing stuff on there. I'm they must do something. Retro is in, so why not go for the swallow/amazons route with a modern twist? 
Everything I say is my opinion, honest
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