Arresting the Decline and Fall of our Sport.

I'd do anything to have more people in our sport. Except consider changing anything ...

I wouldn't myself change anything, I only race, majority of our RYA one and twoers, doing a bucket list, we have gained members from push the boat out and members friends. They are all encouraged to race, or if just cruising they have to follow the course.

Originally posted by Sussex Lad Originally posted by 423zero I wouldn't myself change anything, Given the choice neither would I.

But without trying new things how do you know you wouldn't like it more...?   I think the cruising and free-sailing days my club has developed over the past few years have been a net positive - certainly get a perception that the club engages more of it's membership and has more life to it.

I think the cause of decline isn't at all hard to pin down - we have a very complex sport that takes a long time to learn and appreciate, but all we offer to beginners is a few days of basic tuition and then it's sink-or-swim boat ownership/club life/racing. 

Long term mentoring (the conclusion of Nicholas Hayes Saving Sailing) is the likely solution. How you deliver that/work it in to the present club system is undoubtedly a far more difficult and complex issue.

I wonder if Oli and Fleaberto's clubs have more women involved on the water and/or the committee? A couple of other beginner friendly clubs I'm aware of seem to have a lot more women involved in running the sailing.



 

I have to disagree. I grew up at Reading Sailing Club, crewed in my father's home built Mirror at 8, cried a lot so then my Dad concentrated on racing his Solo as it was one of the few adopted classes along with the Laser and Enterprise. I got interested in sailing at the age of 15 when I had grown some, borrowed the Solo and was instantly hooked. Yes, the sense of freedom was part of it but my own personal drive was to beat every other Solo there. Even then my father and I would berate the new designs that turned up at the club, they formed their own menagerie fleet and raced in handicap series. There was some interest in winning these but it was generally dependent on the conditions.  My point is, if I had turned up at a club that just had loads of different craft floating around, the drive would probably to sail something that was exhilarating rather than race likeminded sailors in one designs, self improving the skills to win and accept failure rather than just blast around with no end goal.

Originally posted by Loyboy I have to disagree. I grew up at Reading Sailing Club, crewed in my father's home built Mirror at 8, cried a lot so then my Dad concentrated on racing his Solo as it was one of the few adopted classes along with the Laser and Enterprise. I got interested in sailing at the age of 15 when I had grown some, borrowed the Solo and was instantly hooked. Yes, the sense of freedom was part of it but my own personal drive was to beat every other Solo there. Even then my father and I would berate the new designs that turned up at the club, they formed their own menagerie fleet and raced in handicap series. There was some interest in winning these but it was generally dependent on the conditions.  My point is, if I had turned up at a club that just had loads of different craft floating around, the drive would probably to sail something that was exhilarating rather than race likeminded sailors in one designs, self improving the skills to win and accept failure rather than just blast around with no end goal. I believe a club would benefit from limiting the classes accepted.  The decline of sailing is down to the dilution of class racing in the same way that the decline of family relationships is down to the allowance of Sunday trading IMHO.

Certainly having a certain class at a club allows access to specialist advice and also some motivation to get down the club to support your mates.

The market has moved on with many designs, but I think the clubs supporting and recommending a small range of classes and then having a handicap fleet to welcome all others are doing the best.

And I own up to support racing as a vital part of a successful club.

Cruising is a great addition but how many are out in February? And how many waters are safe for non supported cruising not needing a manned safety boat if windy or cold?