RYA Wokebomb

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.

No, but it's totally true, the latest over use of the racist term these days, racist is just another word to describe Human Tribalism, Group identities breed problems, Nations, Races, Religions, Gangs, Football Supporters, it will ever be so, until we start to fully understand how close to animals we still remain and how much further we have yet to evolve if we ever want a truly peaceful co existence.