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transient View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more


Joined: 21 Aug 12
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Posts: 715 		Post Options Post Options   Quote transient Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: SNAKES!
    Posted: 31 Jan 18 at 5:37pm
I've said it elsewhere before: There is a decline in sport participation generally, in the UK, US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand....probably in other places (that don't produce figures) also. This trend is particularly pronounced with youth participation. A nice phrase I've seen,  "up or out" attitudes displayed by some sports coaches may be one of the reasons why. Kids are under all sorts of pressure to perform these days, they don't need it in their leisure time, it's supposed to be fun......this probably applies to lots of adult potential participants also.

Combine this with changing attitudes towards life in general and a lack of time. Post war babies were instilled with a sense of comeraderie and duty amongst other things......it's drying up. There's loads of other reasons of course but overall attitudes are changing

Newcomers want to be in and out, "done and dusted" so their sport fix is satisfied quickly. If GRF's observations are correct then maybe sailing can still offer something.......but....

......volunteers will be the biggest problem for clubs in the not to distant future. The volunteer problem is insoluble IMO. Clubs that can't afford professionals will disappear. The friendly club run by members for it's members has had a good run though. 

Edited by transient - 31 Jan 18 at 5:44pm
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Dougaldog View Drop Down
Far too distracted from work
Far too distracted from work


Joined: 05 Nov 10
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Posts: 356 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Dougaldog Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Jan 18 at 1:53pm
As the author of the original article, I was about to come in with a comment about topic drift when on reflection it can be seen that actually, these issues are right at the heart of what is happening in some areas of the pastime/sport. What evolved as a volunteer managed activity, served by cottage industry suppliers, now faces a future that looks already to be far more commercially minded and yes, professionally aimed  at results (whatever 'results' might mean in various scenarios). Most of the better posters on here have pretty much hit the proud standing nails on the head at one point or another, which just highlights that there is no single cause, nor will there be a single answer.

Other posters, with little more than their own keyboard rhetoric as evidence (different for those who I've known on line for years) have taken me to task for being 'anti-RYA' which is a shame, for away from here I'm often working closely with them. Just a fortnight ago I spent a Saturday with them discussing Club Race Officer skills - a subject that is one that I am happy to be extra supportive of. Jim C is again spot on in his assessment of where to look for when there are screw ups and this is an area where I think help could be given. If you have to do 3 duties a year at your home club, that could be OOD, Rescue Boat, Race Officer or anything else under the umbrella of 'Chief cook and bottle washer'. You might have done an RO duty last year, but may not do  one this year - or next. Help for the RO - in terms of top down training - ought to be there to help these souls, rather than be aimed at someone who fancies a slot on the Committee Boat in Tokyo 2020. But try to engage on this - or on PYs, even with the intent of constructive dialogue can quickly result in a negative response. 
I hate to disappoint some of you but I very rarely 'chase' stories - most of them come to me in the first place. If people make contact with  details of what is happening, as a journalist, do you ignore it or somehow bring it into the public domain? This isn't Harry Potter, nor Beatrix Potter - these are people from within the sport, who knowing that I write as fairly as possible - contact me to tell me what has happened or what is being discussed. It's hardly whistle-blowing but in the fairly close knit world of suppliers and administrators, it can be very difficult to express a counter view.
There will now be a break before Part 3 - Ladders - for those who have been insightful I can but express thanks, I'm now looking at a number of different lines of research. Before that though is the Proctor Centenary, then Ladders...and then...... 'Staying at the top of the singles charts', what could be a multi part look at the small mid-range single handers. With World Sailing talking about a lightweight ladies boat (if you read the WS blurbs I'm not sure if the lightweight refers to the lady or the boat - punctuation might help) this could be a good topic! Hey Rupert, there might be a chance for the Minisail yet!!!!

Cheers all, back soon

Dougal/Isle of Wight
Dougal H
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Sam.Spoons View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more


Joined: 07 Mar 12
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Posts: 3401 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Sam.Spoons Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Jan 18 at 1:44pm
A legal nightmare IMHO......
Spice 346 "Flat Broke"
Blaze 671 "supersonic soap dish"
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423zero View Drop Down
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Really should get out more


Joined: 08 Jan 15
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Posts: 3420 		Post Options Post Options   Quote 423zero Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Jan 18 at 1:12pm
I was thinking thirty pounds cash no taxman.
Pay for their training.

Edited by 423zero - 31 Jan 18 at 1:13pm
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turnturtle View Drop Down
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Posts: 2538 		Post Options Post Options   Quote turnturtle Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Jan 18 at 12:24pm
'credit' against next year's membership fees would seem a better way around the actual employment in a club scenario.
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zippyRN View Drop Down
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Far too distracted from work


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Posts: 437 		Post Options Post Options   Quote zippyRN Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Jan 18 at 11:38am
Originally posted by 423zero

Zippy RN,
Safety boat crew.


 wouldn;t be a minimum wage role ,

paid safety boat crew 

 at least Powerboat 2  if not  Safety boat   and/or Intermediate (vocational/professional) , 
 First aid certificate etc 

 casual pool lifeguarding rates  likely  to minimum  for  these people if you can find them ... and  not many  schools / sixth forms  offering  PB2 + safety boat  vs those offering bronze medallion /NPLQ 
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Do Different View Drop Down
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Really should get out more


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Posts: 1312 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Do Different Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Jan 18 at 10:01am
LOL LOL LOL LOL
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JimC View Drop Down
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Posts: 6662 		Post Options Post Options   Quote JimC Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Jan 18 at 9:55am
Originally posted by Do Different

I would also suggest that the best safety boat crews and ROs come from current sailors.

But not *all* the current sailors. Its my observation that if there's a really king size stuff up on the committee boat it will probably be perpetrated by one of the club's best sailors.
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Do Different View Drop Down
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Really should get out more


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Posts: 1312 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Do Different Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Jan 18 at 9:27am
While some may mock Rupert's opinion for being out of touch with modern lifestyles, I feel he makes valid points.

There is I feel a risk of creating a loss of depth in knowledge and experience with a full pay and play model. Yes if you sail every week unimpeded my management or duty responsibilities you may sail and race to a higher level but will you be a better sailor? This is more to our game than being first to the windward mark. Some first principles can get lost, such as, the first rule of racing rules is to avoid contact, seamanship to look out for beginners or those in trouble. There is much to be learned from watching your fellow members when doing a duty of Committee boat or Safety. I would also suggest that the best safety boat crews and ROs come from current sailors.
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Sam.Spoons View Drop Down
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Posts: 3401 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Sam.Spoons Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Jan 18 at 9:15am
Originally posted by A2Z

Originally posted by Sam.Spoons

So... 15 mornings and 24 Sundays a year..... Dead
the 15 mornings are on Sundays you chump! LOL

LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL

Hug

"Chump" is such a lovely, friendly word.......
Spice 346 "Flat Broke"
Blaze 671 "supersonic soap dish"
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