Open Meetings

[QUOTE=Peter Barton]

[QUOTE=fab100] [QUOTE=t

I tend to agree that the present dinghy sailing demographic has a lot to do with falling attendances. Many, if not most, of us are getting quite long in the (few remaining) tooth and have 'been there, done that, worn the T-shirt' as far as trailing round the country and kipping in cars every other weekend is concerned. If, in reality, you are just going to make up the numbers the venue and craic have got to be so outstanding that the whole experience is enough of a treat to make you look forward to it for some weeks before. If the actual boat you are sailing is a bit of a 'chore' in anything other than ideal conditions, it makes it even less likely that you are going to travel, Add in the Windguru factor and clubs holding one-day opens (some of which now require paid pre-entry) are on to a hiding to nothing. The answer? Local circuits (decent sized catchment within 1 to 1.5hrs drive so hitch and go on the morning) with entry on the day, welcoming clubs and a sanguine attitude to poor attendances on the back of bad forecasts. Oh, yes.....and an influx of youngsters into dinghy sailing with the endless enthusiasm we had in our 20's and 30's. Two nights in Hotel Cortina, anyone?

Originally posted by turnturtle BTW - impressed to see the numbers at the RS Aero Nationals ... excellent work given all the reasons in the world right now why we might not expect new classes to fair so well. They've even introduced a new rig size by the looks of it... RS Aero 6

precisely - it should be a verified income stream.  Esp when the getting people to actually do duties is a problem - that resource is precious and shouldn't be squandered on non-members.... it's not like those travelling 100 miles are likely to join, unless they just happen to move to the area at some point in the future.