RYA or new organisation

I'll be in Anglesey this weekend so I am a bit far away but thanks for the invite. I sold my Raceboard kit last year as I wasn't getting to events, racing boats again now.

IMHO i think that sailing will get dropped from the Olympics at some stage.  Its one of the most expensive sports to put on, i think horse stuff is the most expensive and when you look at the average viewer ratings, the pounds per view just don't add up, let alone the infrastructure costs!  On this note, it wont change much at the RYA as this is all funded separately, but i feel the emphasis will be taken away from this and put back into grassroots again.  Over the years i've seen too many youngsters and teens who thought they were the next Ben etc etc get their hopes dashed and move away.  Yes there are some that make it, but not many - and then at the pends its cost to do the training and events - well out of any normal persons salary.  Which then moves onto the other aspect of sailing - the perceived look.  When i talk to many people that are not involved in sailing (my job involves talking to lots of people who don't have much or anything to do with sailing), the reply normally revolves around how arrogant and snobish the sport/hobby is.  Now waiting for the backlash here and, yes, I'm aware that most of the people on here are not like that, but look at the general publics view - go and ask someone that doesn't know that we/you sail and wait for the response or change of tone.  I came from a non sailing background, single parent family etc etc.  Now most people are cool with this, but i have come across numerous people who once found this out, their attitude around me changed.

For me, dinghy sailing is a sport where no one cares what you do for a living, no one cares how old you are, it simply isn't relevant. I'm sure there are clubs where it matters, but luckily, they are rare.

Ditto- happy to leave all the work BS, office politics and school run mum joneseying away from sailing!!!

Originally posted by Oinks Luvvly jubbly...next burning issue pls

Ethnic diversity - that's always a hot one....