PILOT SPIN
Spin Zone => Spin Zone => Topic started by: Anthony on June 30, 2020, 07:25:41 AM
-
Any sailors or former sailors here?
If one regularly reads featured letters and opinion pieces that bounce around the internet (e.g. Junior Sailing Needs a Reboot), one might be excused for thinking that the sport of sailing is in decline shedding existing participants, struggling to attract new ones. With so many other activities to choose from there is understandably genuine concern about how best to promote and develop sailing to get youngsters and novices involved and to keep the more proficient motivated. Ideas flow in from all directions which is great, since I don’t doubt it pays to keep this 'issue' at the forefront of our thinking.
All sports and past-times need to introduce youth and enthusiasm while retaining wisdom and experience in order to survive. A concept now frequently and irksomely described as creating a 'legacy'. I am only too aware that getting kids interested in anything other than screen-based entertainment comes with a major parental hazard warning. (In case any of my progeny come across this article by mistake: “You are doing fine; although perhaps a bit more enthusiasm about cutting the grass wouldn’t go amiss especially if you want be able to access the trampoline”).
Like every outdoor activity, sailing is competing with the comfort of the couch and the virtual world. It is also competing with other sports that perhaps require cheaper equipment, less infrastructure and, dare I say, commitment. Boats need time spent on them out of the water, just as much as on the water to get the most from them. Otherwise they break and everyone goes skateboarding instead. Yes, this is bitter personal experience speaking. At least they did not start messaging their friends about their useless parent … in front of the useless parent.
Is the Virtual World replacing the real world??? Are we becoming lazy cattle that are fed and taken care of to just exist in our virtual world?
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/sailing-really-sport-decline-giles-pearman
-
As a happy counter point, I offer our local "yacht club". It's very active with the local schools, and it offers sailing class scholarships to pretty much any kid who wants to learn. We have several sailing classes a day all week long with races each weekend. We have a couple dozen small sailboats (flying scot) free for the taking for members and quite a few larger ones. It's a very active club with tons of activities for families and kids. Plenty of volunteers and really great instructors.
Unfortunately this year the virus hit and the water is so high it's dangerously overlapping the pier.
-
As a happy counter point, I offer our local "yacht club". It's very active with the local schools, and it offers sailing class scholarships to pretty much any kid who wants to learn. We have several sailing classes a day all week long with races each weekend. We have a couple dozen small sailboats (flying scot) free for the taking for members and quite a few larger ones. It's a very active club with tons of activities for families and kids. Plenty of volunteers and really great instructors.
Unfortunately this year the virus hit and the water is so high it's dangerously overlapping the pier.
That's great anecdotal evidence, and a nice story but like all the EAA chapters getting kids involved does nothing to curtail the numbers.
https://www.tradeonlytoday.com/industry-news/sailboat-industry-continues-decline-in-units-and-dollars
https://www.stamfordadvocate.com/local/article/Boating-popularity-continues-rapid-decline-8044603.php
https://www.boatus.com/magazine/2017/october/why-arent-millennials-buying-boats.asp
-
Agreed. Bright spots here and there but nothing compared to the overall general decline.
-
Any sailors or former sailors here?
Is the Virtual World replacing the real world??? Are we becoming lazy cattle that are fed and taken care of to just exist in our virtual world?
"Morpheus : This is your last chance. After this, there is no turning back. You take the blue pill - the story ends, you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill - you stay in Wonderland and I show you how deep the rabbit-hole goes."
I went to the dark side about 10 years ago and sold my 26ft sailboat and bought a 21ft bowrider. It was the only way to get the family on the water with me, on the sailboat they quickly grew bored with seeing the same mile or two of the lake all of the time. I do miss it though, and when I retire, I WILL re-join the sailing club, and I WILL get myself a nice used Flying Scot to day sail and race.
If the SO were into it, I'd sell it all (including the plane), and buy myself a good used Amel Super Maramu, spend the rest of my days on warm waters and in tropical islands. T-shirts, shorts, and deck shoes forever...
As it is, I'll take the Scot and dream about the rest.
-
"Morpheus : This is your last chance. After this, there is no turning back. You take the blue pill - the story ends, you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill - you stay in Wonderland and I show you how deep the rabbit-hole goes."
I went to the dark side about 10 years ago and sold my 26ft sailboat and bought a 21ft bowrider. It was the only way to get the family on the water with me, on the sailboat they quickly grew bored with seeing the same mile or two of the lake all of the time. I do miss it though, and when I retire, I WILL re-join the sailing club, and I WILL get myself a nice used Flying Scot to day sail and race.
If the SO were into it, I'd sell it all (including the plane), and buy myself a good used Amel Super Maramu, spend the rest of my days on warm waters and in tropical islands. T-shirts, shorts, and deck shoes forever...
As it is, I'll take the Scot and dream about the rest.
I was thinking of "The Matrix" when I wrote that. ;D
I used to sail years ago with friends that had a sailing school. We'd rent a couple of 35 - 40 ft sailboats and cruise the Chesapeake or L.I. Sound for a weekend. 24/7 party time. It was a blast. I've always wanted to try living on a sailboat. I think that would be fun.
-
Let's say "inactive sailor". Like flying, once you've got salt in your veins, you're locked into the sea forever. Growing up we owned a Flying Scot "Ketchup", #2971. Ketchup was the kind of racing we usually did. I also went to summer camp on the NC coast and learned to sail and race sunfish, lasers and eventually Lightnings. My last year there I just spent all summer on the camp's 40' yacht and played first mate, learning to run it, navigation, mooring, etc. I had a blast :) Loving the water is what took me toward the Navy as a military branch. CG was a second choice, AF third and Army and USMC not choices at all...I was too smart to qualify.
I can easily see this being a problem and partially for the same reason it's a problem for pilots. Kids don't want to be outside and they've been taught to be timid. The cancel culture also cancels ambition because how dare you go out and do great things. Adventure is unheard of. When I was 17, I was driving between Florida and NYC regularly for different things...my son doesn't want to drive to Chick-fil-a to get food for dinner (so he eats what we give him)
-
Let's say "inactive sailor". Like flying, once you've got salt in your veins, you're locked into the sea forever. Growing up we owned a [snip]...my son doesn't want to drive to Chick-fil-a to get food for dinner (so he eats what we give him)
wow - when I was 17 I'd drive at the drop of a hat... I bought a car as soon as I could...
Maybe it has something to do with growing up, I'd walk or ride my bicycle instead of having Mom or Dad drive me everywhere. My impression is that a lot of people today will drive their kids everywhere.
I just still can't grasp how kids aren't looking to drive...
-
I can easily see this being a problem and partially for the same reason it's a problem for pilots. Kids don't want to be outside and they've been taught to be timid. The cancel culture also cancels ambition because how dare you go out and do great things. Adventure is unheard of. When I was 17, I was driving between Florida and NYC regularly for different things...my son doesn't want to drive to Chick-fil-a to get food for dinner (so he eats what we give him)
Feminization of schools and society combined with the instant gratification of technology. At least that's what I think. When kids do drive, what do they want in a car today? Infotainment and technology. That's what they care about. I wanted performance, a stick shift with a clutch and something fun to drive. I also wanted Independence and freedom. Don't kids want Independence anymore?
-
wow - when I was 17 I'd drive at the drop of a hat... I bought a car as soon as I could...
Maybe it has something to do with growing up, I'd walk or ride my bicycle instead of having Mom or Dad drive me everywhere. My impression is that a lot of people today will drive their kids everywhere.
I just still can't grasp how kids aren't looking to drive...
Yup, I rode my 10speed everywhere, until I turned 16 that is, then I drove a lot. But when I couldn't get my hands on a car, I still biked a lot to visit friends and go places.
Luckily, my now 17yr old daughter wanted her permit on the day she turned 15, and that 1st year we made her drive us everywhere. No excuses. Night? Raining? Traffic? You're tired? Tough shit, you're driving! I was a very picky driving instructor, just as my dad was tough on me.
She took her driving test on her 16th birthday, passed, and now drives herself everywhere. She puts more miles on her car than my wife and I drive combined. As long as she maintains her grades, she gets free use of our 3rd car (2016 Ford Fusion), and I pay the gas/insurance. When she goes places with friends, I insist that she drives, as I know how I've trained her and have confidence in her abilities. We haven't had to drive her to school or anywhere else for the last 1.5 years, she's doing it herself and is doing fine.