Dinghy Show

I noticed that grey Byte as well, same colour as the Supernova they were showing at Southampton, I liked it, they're really charging now, Hartleys, seem to have a right feather up the bum, good to see.

Due to the incompetence of 'Openreach' who cannot be reached I have been without internet or landline for 3 weeks, consequently I have been unable to comment on the show as yet.

Originally posted by Dougaldog Getafix.....yep! You must have had some of the same conversations as I had! Yes, okay, it is a good move to make some fun for the small kids who are destined to get dragged around the event BUT - should that be the 'didn't we do well message'? Another of the conversations that I had all around the show concerned the growing realisation (from those not blinkered by the rose coloured spectacles) that the true demographic was worryingly 'old'!! D

Is the definition of old is anyone older than GRF (woodbotherer)? If that's the case the demographics indicate that the dinghy scene is full of us youngsters :)


Edited by rodney - 04 Mar 15 at 4:26pm

Getafix.....yep! You must have had some of the same conversations as I had! Yes, okay, it is a good move to make some fun for the small kids who are destined to get dragged around the event BUT - should that be the 'didn't we do well message'? Another of the conversations that I had all around the show concerned the growing realisation (from those not blinkered by the rose coloured spectacles) that the true demographic was worryingly 'old'!!
D

Originally posted by Dougaldog Oh yes... It was the DINGHY show last weekend! Lots of thoughts on that, not many of them good (though personally I had a 'good' show). One wonders how long it can continue in that format, with CA's paying out and not getting a fair return. A simple check of the media output shows that the majority of comments came from the big names present at the event. Picture wise, unless you were stood next to a pirate, or a walking version of the windward mark, you might as well have been in the outer car park at Crystal Palace. Once again the RYA showed an innate ability to mis-read the overall ethos of the event. This year the topic was dinghy cruising - a good topic that would go down well at the Outdoor Show, but for the many whose opinion I sought, was that what the Classes were supposed to be buying in to? Next year will be 'all about Rio', my bigger worry though is 2017! If Rio goes well for Team GBR, we'll be force fed a diet of how good the RYA are at making the UK the 'World Number One sailing nation' (as the latest 4 year plan tells us is the objective from the top). If Rio goes badly, in the search for success in 2020, my fear is that the grassroots will take an even bigger hit. Still, some of the classes need to wise up to the needs of the show too. I noted a number of supposedly 'senior' class stands that were far too quiet for the long term health of the class. The Fireballs did well, they have a real narrative going on about their upcoming Worlds later this year - that alone should see Pwllheli being a success. Well done to Suntouched for balancing out a professional stand, but with the 'buzz' and enthusiasm of a Class Association. Good to see the Alto hanging in there, some very clever ideas on various stands and some clear thinking aimed at the future - but equally a lot of rather sad and samey dross (hate to say it but iGRF may be right). Overall - just like the song, "it's the rich wot get the pleasure, it's the poor wot get the blame" - with the added hurt that they are having to pay ever more dearly for being second class citizens. D

From what I hear the dwindling number of Clubs bothering to shell-out where equally underwhelmed by the event and their value for money