Open Meetings

But a a puddle sailor all my life it’s difficult to comprehend losing club sailing to run a open . 

Retired three years ago and thought time to get travelling again, then Covid.  So this season I bought a boat to travel (still use the Laser for Club Racing) and one that would not need much practice and would make me feel able to sail anywhere - A Streaker.  Its an experiment.  First stop was Snettisham beach - fantastic sail on the Saturday with club sailors, but for the Open Meeting on Sunday no wind, not much water and lots of mud.  Inlands at Grafham, shared with  two other classes to make numbers viable - about 40 boats in total.  Saturday no wind and in the one race the classes got mixed up and was quite frustrating.  Sunday was nice wind, four races and race officer managed really well so we all finished together (but race separately) so quick turn arounds, finished by 3.30pm.  Reading the reports I should have gone to Downs SC last WE.  Now looking forward to some new venues.  Not going to win as too many professionals at top of the class - does this impact on numbers - ie a sail maker who wins all the chocolates? but so far enjoying the experiment.

Originally posted by turnturtle You can tell a lot about the class ethos by helping out at one of their opens … the Solo Class were a pleasure to watch from the committee boat and help drag trollies around for; another very widely popular adult singlehander, far less so…. To the point where I used to actively avoid sailing in my own club’s open for that class after overhearing visitors/guests complaining that some local boats weren’t CA members

CA membership is a difficult point. It's required for open meetings. If you let some people off, but not others, some of those who do pay might rightly get upset. OTOH it's a barrier to people doing their first event. The option to join for the weekend works for some AIUI.