Nationals attendance.

on the other hand there is definite sea-snobbery that would for many classes result in lowered turnout if you held a Nationals inland.

Surely it is also a function of the space required. A class with a large Nationals turnout is going to need/want a very large puddle if looking to sail inland, and there is a lot of pressure on the relatively few Clubs that can provide it. I suspect there are more sea clubs that can manage 70+ boats. I also feel that for a "National" level competition, you should have the challenge of 1km+ length legs.

Its not just the fact that it isn't run on the sea that annoys me. I can appreciate all strands of sailing from rivers, to little ponds, to the great lakes, to big sea sailing. In fact if anything, i enjoy sailing on little rivers with a competitive fleet more than anything. But there is rather little variety in the streaker calender, and having a nationals on the sea would bring at least a little variety, and maybe even attract a few more sailors. It would also justify having an inlands as well, since in my view, an inland championships in conjunction with a nationals held on an inland water is kinda pointless.

Sounds a little arse about face that Dougal- but I guess it's the politically correct solution ;-)

I'd not mind taking the Lightning to a seaside holiday venue, but I think we would lose more people than we would gain, and Northampton really do make it very easy to hold a Nats there.