Demographic Changes

In fact, if you look at the RS200, over the past ten years its averaged over 230 participants. Making it the most popular nationals of any adult dinghy over that period. Who says double handers are declining?

Originally posted by Null Originally posted by Dougaldog From the sailing media viewpoint, the GP14s are, by a long chalk, the most media aware (and that means helpful) of any class that I've had the pleasure of dealing with. Interestingly, the Fireballs, which are getting a good press over in another thread on here, are also a good class when it comes to responding to media enquiries, as are the Miracles. But back to the GP14s; they have 'got it' and clearly understand the value of being accessible to the media. Compare this with some other classes that either take an age to reply to a request, or simply don't bother at all. Media awareness might only be a small factor, but it is in there all the same. Well done to those classes that get it right! D Interesting point,  from a media perspective we (D-Zero) class have had no correspondence via the class association.  We would Welcome it.  We are a new class and try and embrace new ways of thinking whilst still encompassing an 'Old Fashion' class association style ethos.  Trying to develop a media strategy for a new class nowadays is very difficult as  outside of Facebook and the reports pages on here how do a class go about promoting themselves.  So i guess, who are the sailing 'media' I/We have some great ideas around things we can do to create something different at our championships and if they come off would give us some USP's.   I always find the 505 world championships utilise technology and develop their own unique media coverage which is far and beyond any other class

Far from focusing on the old farts, be it the boat or the sailors who race them, looking back at what I've written, I seem to have given the new boats a pretty good share of the copy. As Rupert rightly says, if you're going to say something that is hopefully both intelligent and interesting enough to make it worthwhile reading, you have to have something to write about, which in a new class can be difficult. For the Radical Thought article, I went to Dan Holman, who designed the D-Zero (sorry Null, went to Dan because, well, he was the man who could give the best insight into the 'how, what and why' behind the design - but I will be coming back to you next time around) - Dan was great as he was prepared to 'tell all' and that makes the life of the writer all the easier.

I often get emails suggesting that I write about this class or that class, but I'm afraid to say that this sort of writing leads to some fairly turgid text. So, an article about Fireballs - yawn. But, an article on how the upcoming Fireball worlds is seeing a resurgence in the class, that is resulting in more boats populating the club scene, yep, you've got a topic worth exploring there...I could see that one working.

Oops, sorry, just realised that this is an old fart boat, being sailed by old farts and written about by an old fart! Old Timer will be braying away again like an ass very soon!

D

Dougal, that is absolutely the right thing to do with a new class.  But your point as about the class associations being good with media, was it not?  Writing an article after approaching a designer is something different.  I was asking a question really as it would be good for us as an embryonic class to understand what the media want.  Sure there would be a good article i guess in a couple of years time if the Zero class is successful and brings in large championships.  perhaps how we did it.  But this is all very chicken and egg as with out 'Media' and the publicity it brings its difficult to grow.  So really the question still remains, what form so of media should a class use?  Not only the class but the supplier's.  How do we publicise, or send out messages?  it works very much for you as well.  The new Merlin book you have written, I knew nothign about it, despite being fairly active at reading up on classes etc.  I would LOVE to buy or read a copy.  But how do you as an author, supplier, class association reach the dinghy community?

Originally posted by Dougaldog Far from focusing on the old farts, be it the boat or the sailors who race them, looking back at what I've written, I seem to have given the new boats a pretty good share of the copy. As Rupert rightly says, if you're going to say something that is hopefully both intelligent and interesting enough to make it worthwhile reading, you have to have something to write about, which in a new class can be difficult. For the Radical Thought article, I went to Dan Holman, who designed the D-Zero (sorry Null, went to Dan because, well, he was the man who could give the best insight into the 'how, what and why' behind the design - but I will be coming back to you next time around) - Dan was great as he was prepared to 'tell all' and that makes the life of the writer all the easier. I often get emails suggesting that I write about this class or that class, but I'm afraid to say that this sort of writing leads to some fairly turgid text. So, an article about Fireballs - yawn. But, an article on how the upcoming Fireball worlds is seeing a resurgence in the class, that is resulting in more boats populating the club scene, yep, you've got a topic worth exploring there...I could see that one working. Oops, sorry, just realised that this is an old fart boat, being sailed by old farts and written about by an old fart! Old Timer will be braying away again like an ass very soon! D