Organizing Sailing as Gouvernail Sees It.

[Tcatman]

The small number of 20-30s continuing to sail are likely to be at a level where they want to be on the event circuit.

Perhaps this observation justifies my cynicism? What is implied by this observation is the recognition of the large number of racers who bail. I believe the data show that Golf and Tennis don't have this amount of attrition and so that is the question. Why? I think we have overlooked some important factors that are unique to sailboat racing. Consider in the US... we built a system from the age of 8 on up to 22 where organized sailboat racing is about showing up at the dock and going racing. The 20 and 30 somethings continue this practice by competing on the event circuit mostly on OPBs. Sailboat racing requires a lot more then 4 people to schedule a match at the golf or tennis club. .... The reciprocity and community building that are essential to a sport run by and for participants and really wanting 10 boats on the line is missing in this structure. There is no expectation as to what these racers are supposed to do to maintain the sport and class. Similar to golf and tennis... they pay their facility membership fee, compete and walk away... No further commitment required. We have trained our new racers to purchase a regatta experience and walk away. I am cynical because I don't think you turn this culture around when these racers get some years on....

"their willingness to help run events will, we hope, rise, as it did for their predecessors."
IMO, The predicates for this outcome have been removed. Time will tell. IMO, the system we built has proven to be unsustainable.

Two important observations were from Gouv who noted that Kids who race in the adult fleets stick around and Rambler who has punted on the kid pathway and now focuses on young adult newbies. My argument is that they are much closer to incorporating the requirements for reciprocity and community long with racing skills and rules, tatics, etc etc.

Personally, I define my cynicism when i consider the all most certain future. I don't see how you reimagine the sport... (not sailing) on a fee for service model pathway that we are on now.

 

[dogwatch]

Perhaps this observation justifies my cynicism? What is implied by this observation is the recognition of the large number of racers who bail. I believe the data show that Golf and Tennis don't have this amount of attrition and so that is the question. Why? I think we have overlooked some important factors that are unique to sailboat racing. Consider in the US... we built a system from the age of 8 on up to 22 where organized sailboat racing is about showing up at the dock and going racing. The 20 and 30 somethings continue this practice by competing on the event circuit mostly on OPBs. Sailboat racing requires a lot more then 4 people to schedule a match at the golf or tennis club. .... The reciprocity and community building that are essential to a sport run by and for participants and really wanting 10 boats on the line is missing in this structure. There is no expectation as to what these racers are supposed to do to maintain the sport and class. Similar to golf and tennis... they pay their facility membership fee, compete and walk away... No further commitment required. We have trained our new racers to purchase a regatta experience and walk away. I am cynical because I don't think you turn this culture around when these racers get some years on....

"their willingness to help run events will, we hope, rise, as it did for their predecessors."
IMO, The predicates for this outcome have been removed. Time will tell. IMO, the system we built has proven to be unsustainable.

Two important observations were from Gouv who noted that Kids who race in the adult fleets stick around and Rambler who has punted on the kid pathway and now focuses on young adult newbies. My argument is that they are much closer to incorporating the requirements for reciprocity and community long with racing skills and rules, tatics, etc etc.

Personally, I define my cynicism when i consider the all most certain future. I don't see how you reimagine the sport... (not sailing) on a fee for service model pathway that we are on now.

Gouv's observation doesn't accord with my experience. I don't see kids who sailed in adult fleets being any more likely to continue sailing into their 20s and I've known quite a few such. As far as tennis goes, I knew two players who nearly broke into the big time in their late teens but didn't quite make it and neither was playing a few years later. I'm not so sure sailing is unique in the disappearing 20 year olds syndrome. All anecdote, I know.

But I also don't see sailing as a sport being fundamentally reimagined. I'm not sure it needs to be anyway. It seems healthier in the UK and some other nations than in the USA, and for multiple identifiable reasons, but I'm not sure that is exportable. Or perhaps I mean, not importable.

 

[Prism]

The Olympics is primarily a for profit enterprise.

No, it isn’t.

 

[Rambler]

Again, maybe this is an Aussie (and probably UK) thing, but everyone in the fleet has to take turns on duty - which means running the club for a race day. Opening up, running the canteen, helping on the start boat, manning the tower and cleaning up and closing down afterwards.

Any kids in our race fleet are generally crewing on trailer yachts (the tide is too strong for beginner kids classes anyway). But they pitch in and help anyway. In fact there are some reallly marvelous kids down the club in their willingness to get involved. Whether their sailing will survive their HSC years, I don't know.

Conversely, when I'm on duty, I'll ask who from my training group of 20 to 40 yo's (who, not racing, don't make the duty list) is willing to help. I will generally easily get a few - often to the point of being overstaffed. They usually comment how it was great to see how the club and races were run and inevitably enjoy the day.

Just as an aside, to me one of the benefits of kids getting involved in sailing when I was doing that side was in fact them learning to give back to the sailing community in terms of getting involved in that sort of stuff (and helping out as assistant instructors in LTS classes). To the extent I've been able to track them (as friends of my own kids or children of my friends), those who were the most willing contributors were also the most successful adults both work and relationship wise.

 

[Tcatman]

But I also don't see sailing as a sport being fundamentally reimagined. I'm not sure it needs to be anyway. It seems healthier in the UK and some other nations than in the USA, and for multiple identifiable reasons, but I'm not sure that is exportable. Or perhaps I mean, not importable.

I agree the cultures and history are different and the plausible reasons are also different. i can't fathom a US reimagining of sailboat racing, the clubs, RSA's and US Sailing either. I do think the focus on reciprocity and community around sailboat racing is the solution as well as keeping in mind that nothing should undermine the integrity of the competition. The chaos that started this round ie Cayard, resignation, Olympic sailing management have not been resolved to anyone's satisfaction.. But... the can has been kicked down the road... rinse and repeat. same as it ever was. sigh....

 

[ILYAScow]

What saves the sport are the individuals that give a damn. The guy that helps the young couple rig their first sailboat. The person that takes the neighborhood kid to his or hers first regatta. The boat shop guy that fixes the accident that should not have happened. The older person who drops a sail when the old sail gets destroyed. The mom who befriends the family that doesn't have a clue of what her children enjoy. Many different faces, races, and stories. It is simple.

 

[Gouvernail]

No, it isn’t.

Ha ha ha!! That’s funny.

 

[John D]

In order to have small boat racing succeed it may be necessary to have small boat sailing succeed.