Another club closure

Originally posted by Grumpycat Originally posted by Paramedic Originally posted by eric_c Maybe people should stop trying to rewind pond sailing in the Midlands to last century and look at what sorts of sailing are doing OK elsewhere in the World. Why? Racing in this country isn't particularly broken. Add to that the thought that we are on the cusp of needing club and local circuit racing more than ever and we actually have a really good infrastructure if people are sensible and clubs work together. The biggest threat to the sport that I see at my club is that we are slowly being forced to morph into something that none of the members actually want under the guise of enabling the club to survive - I see such "survival" as in name only. I see no sign of either of these two things happening  at my local clubs or at clubs I visit while doing opens .

Let’s revisit this in 10 years time :)

Edited by fab100 - 16 May 22 at 12:51pm

Originally posted by turnturtle Absolutely take it at face value Sussex Lad - great posts; but these things have been said before in more affluent times and fallen on deaf ears.   With cost of living significantly increasing, the wealth divide getting greater and the cost of boats and ancillary sailing equipment seemingly outstripping inflation, the UK model for boat-owner racing clubs has inevitable contraction - which aren't great for diversity and accessibility

boat owner dinghy racng is actually a potetially pretty cheap sport. Back when I started, there were more young people with no cash involved. but the kind of people who are any good at sailing can generally earn a good wage. Problem is, everyone wants new shiny stuff and they want to win. There are tons of boats for not much money, which are yards better than what we raced in the 70s and don't need the maintenance. But on here as much as anywhere, people are negatve about racing cheap boats, old boats, boats with replica parts.  This is why I wondered whether LP might be pursuing some other model wth the Por*Star, like having a fleet of boats and sticking different sailors in each week, at top ability level as well as down the amateur end. It's nothing new, keelboats have been doing it for decades to my knowledge. fundamentally more expensiv though, althouh the capital cost is split many ways, the cost of employing people to make it happen is significant.

Originally posted by 423zero OK, here's where I am, I am in a minority group in sailing, I live a fairly blameless life, I don't appreciate being told I need to change, don't think I do need to change. My sailing is done in a 'Last of the summer wine' style, more fun and games than effing and blinding other sailors out of the way, I have been known to throw a wet sponge in curmudgeons direction.

Nobody has told you you need to change. I suggested that a broader appeal to sailing might be an option. Others have disagreed so no change and that is fair enough.

Had others agreed then some ideas would have had to change obviously. Maybe some perspectives would have changed but ultimately we dunno cos we didn't go there.

Edited by Sussex Lad - 16 May 22 at 1:36pm

Originally posted by turnturtle Originally posted by Do Different Who are selling it to, competitive "Strava time" types or the mindfulness and well being set?     you can be both - given the mental health benefits of mountain biking, why not dinghy sailing? this was this weekend: