Another club closure

Originally posted by Sussex Lad ......what an anti climax. Thought it was gonna get all EastEnders.

What... Peggy Mitchell screaming 'geeh outta my clubbbb'!!! for daring to use a Rooster sail on the laser start line?  No, never fear, it's far more civilised.

First offence is a little finger, yakuza style, using a baby stroller to administer the punishment...

Second offence, well we're born with two little fingers aren't we? As long as your parents could afford a decent pram, you should still have two for adulthood

Third offence, you'd beg for death... the punishment is far worse: relegated to the PY fleet racing agsinst a spreadsheet

Edited by turnturtle - 11 May 22 at 7:30am

Although not a huge loss for the world of sailing it's probably a devastating blow for those who have grown up there and put so much into the club.

Having said that, the traditional SC setup is unfortunately slightly anachronistic. Leisure time availability, values and fashions etc have changed (not for the better imo). Traditional approaches are being abandoned wholesale.......  SC's are not noted for their ability to adapt to these things.

I think that the big issue is that once somebody has allocated their leisure time to a different activity, then it is hard to wean them back, so the most active sailors are likely to find new clubs, but the occasional sailors will probably do other things with their time.

Folk seem to want to do sport in short bursts these days. An hour at the gym, and hour running or cycling, maybe a couple of hours SUPing. It fits the modern lifestyle and frame of mind. They want to do it without an ongoing commitment to others. Volunteering for duties or work parties is not going to happen......in for an hour and out, then shower, no further mucking about or hassle.

A modern factor is background levels of stress and anxiety within the population. Clearly Job security, career prospects and lower relative wages doesn't help. This has been steadily getting worse for a couple of decades at least. You may think that this is all part of life's rich cycle and folk need to get over it (mmmm that's another debate) but this does take it's toll.

add to this current international and domestic political situations + now covid......and...... the tendency now for the media to present the worst possible disaster scenarios in language that is at best inflammatory because fear and alarm sells papers.

The population, (which includes sailors) are becoming more anxious and stressed. People who are stressed tend to narrow their outlook, narrow their field of concern. They get angrier and more easily offended, less likely to tolerate. The become less interested in further stimulation or hassles. They care less about stuff that's outside their immediate sphere of concern. They want easy answers to other incidental needs like health and fitness  (and other things).

The effects are insidious but relentless ATM. 

Sailing is complicated, needs lots of time and if you're doing it in a traditional club, needs lots of commitment to that club and other members. It also comes with extra hassle.

People are changing.

I am aware that some folk on here will think this is all absolutely irrelevant BS but Hey ho. I doubt SC's can adapt to this.



Edited by Sussex Lad - 11 May 22 at 5:17pm