What's Going On With Racing Participation?

[Rick D]

I participated in a hundred mile overnight race this weekend. It had maybe a dozen boats. It has ORCA, PHRF and Cruising classes. It was well promoted. Twenty plus years ago, it had over 300 boats. Another race was very well done, innovative and publicized. Maybe two dozen boats total. Disappointing.
Newport/Ensenada gets about 200, down two-thirds from its high.

I'm guessing changing demographics, greater family orientation, competing physical sport competition, economics and more committed or intense careers. Other people say the intimidation of racing starts and rules, confusing handicaps and yacht club bias discourage participation. What do you think?

 

[justsomeguy]

Economics.

 

[THECUSCUS]

Poorly managed racing bodies that totally don't give a sh*t about the little guy (or the slower boats). It's all about the bigger, faster, more expensive boats. It's that way with just about any sport I guess. It's all beome about who can spend the most and less about just having fun.

 

[Brezzin]

The ocean racing rules and requirements are forcing people out.

 

[Parsons]

Many things

Since we're all guessing, I'll put in my 2-cents ... It's a combination of things. First, there has been a decline in the number of sailors for a variety of reasons (stinkpots are easier to learn, cooler, and you can pull the kids on the tube). Consequently, fewer skippers, buying fewer boats, mean fewer racers.

Second, the sailing industry is pricing itself out of the average-joe market. Real wages (inflation adjusted), except for the top 1%, have not risen in over a decade. When I look at the glossy sailing mags, they all review 40 - 50 footers. I submit that not 1 in 100 of you reading this can afford a cool million in recreation money. In order to even club race, you need all the appropriate electronics, plus $15 grand per sail canvas. Don't know what your recreation budgets are, but I'll stick to cruising.

Lastly, It's all of our faults. When was the last time you invited someone to crew on a Wednesday night, or learn to sail? From my experience, unless you're friends with a sailor, you never set foot on a sailboat. Yes, there are commendable youth programs and intro courses, but they are too few to keep up the interest level. Go ask some novice to join you this week.

 

[Butch23065]

More than one issue...

I believe it is more than one simple answer. Economics play a big part in the lack of participation. Sail boat racing never was a poor man's sport. The cost of even the most basic modern equipment today is pretty staggering. Most people that race want to be competitive so they need reasonably good equipment. Not the best that money can buy, but equipment that will allow you and your boat to perform at its optimum.
Blaming it on the rating systems is a cop out. I spent two years finishing in last place and blaming my rating. Then I had some good sailors crew with me and now I am winning some races with the same handicap. I know one sailor that does not race anymore because he feels his handicap is unfair, but he usually beat me on corrected time when he was racing.
I also bekeive some clubs don't want to change. The average sailboat today is not 20 feet or less. However a lot of clubs still want to run the races like they always have.
When we travel to an out of town regatta that is done well, we are eager to do it again next year. That means good class assignments, course assignments, communications, and options for slips or moorings.
The big name races certainly are expensive and they cater to the the larger boats beacause their owners usually can afford the expense. However, there are still affordable regattas available for those that want to race and have fun on the water.
Is that the problem? Are there less people that want to race and have fun on the water?

 

[finding41]

Everyone I know thinks sailboats/sailing/yacht clubs are all expensive adventures. ( I correct there thinking when given the chance.)
(Someone actually asked me once if they had to pay to watch a regatta from shore!)
Our yacht club holds an open house every year trying to get new members and new people to take sailing lessons.
I race on Wed nights and at all the club regattas I can attend. I have inquired about racing at other regattas and found nothing too outrageous. (Pay the fee, have the safety equipment, have a passport (Great Lakes), show up.)
I take friends and acquaintances that have never sailed out occasionally. (Even some customers on my mail route.)
Yesterday (PERFECT WEATHER. Sat July 20/13 London Ont.) my wife and I took a childhood buddy and his wife out to the club for a steak BBQ and a sail. The lake had 2 other boats on it! They were amazed that the place was almost deserted. (I less so.)
I told them it cost me $2.73/ day to have use of all the club has to offer and access at two other lakes locally. The boat is like a cottage to us. They had thought I won $ or something...
Allot of the non starters/sailors just have the wrong idea of what sailing actually costs. I've heard people at the beach say it would be great to have a sailboat. That when they see a beautiful sailboat pass by off shore. I did that once. Then I researched sailboat prices. Then I researched what would be the best boat for our needs. Then...... (Now I'm looking for an Opti for Squeaky!)
I don't know if it would be a good thing to tell the stink boaters how inexpensive the sport actually is. Maybe some of them. But definitely not some of them.