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Topic: Fixtures Problems (or Pete having a moan) |
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Pete Lindley |
Posted: 09-Nov-04 23:18 |
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Time to let off some steam...
We are having problems with arranging events due to sailing clubs requiring larger fleet entries before allowing us to race there.
Question is why are the numbers down? (ISO is coming back up though we all notice)
Where are the 500 Buzz's? 700 ISO's? 100 Boss's? 75 Spices?
As a minimum, why aren't they here talking to us!? (This also goes for other classes who struggle to put numbers at events)
A reason for non attendance - traffic is it getting so bad down south making it impossible to use the odd country road to avoid a queue?
If this carries on, then there will be no active race circuit, therefore, no interest in the classes (But there will still be interest in that persons boat when they take it out every Sunday). No active circuit and no interest will result in no committee and no class support. Then when your rudder breaks or mast snaps, because there is no committee, there will be no support when you approach the manufacturer / supplier.
Also as a result of no attendance to race meetings and no class support, people won't join the class association and funds will dry up. No funds will mean no attendance at the rip off boat show resulting in no class advertising resulting in no class interest and funds..... and so the downward spiral goes on......
No interest in the class means no newcomers to the class, which in turn means no old or new boats being sold. No old boats being sold, then the prices drop radically then they do sell. But knowing an old boat with a little TLC = a fast trustworthy boat, people buy them and don't opt for a new shiny one from the manufacturer. No new boat sales means the manufacturer loses interest in the class as there is no money to be made from them - fair enough!
Still the downward spiral goes on....!
Do we actually get to a point of no more downward direction?
Old plastic boats do eventually get tired if mis treated / left to collect water, moss, tadpoles in the boat bark, or UV light and general weathering or crews falling through sails etc. These then become dodgy to sail as things will break. Unable to get supplies from the manufacturer and no class / class committee support due to all losing interest in the lack of fleet attendance at events (the committee is usually formed from race meeting attendees), the owner with the faulty boat then gives it all up for dead and moves on.
The class eventually dies.
Ah.... 
So what is the problem?
a) Busy roads stopping people getting to events?
b) People are too busy sailing at their own club with a handful of others from their class?
c) People are too busy - work / family?
d) 30 boats won't go to the event at ANOther S.C. because of a poor turnout (but if all those 30 turned out then there would be a 30 boat turnout)
e) Their boat is in bits and they are having trouble with the supplier - but have failed to inform their committee who can help if they knew there was a problem!?
f) The weekend is the wrong time to go sailing?
g) No transport to events?
h) Owners don't know how to pack a boat away for road transport or can't find their road base amongst the weeds?
i) Don't know when the events are? (because they don't check in with their class ass'n - easy on this t'internet thingy!)
j) Don't know there is a race circuit?
h) We are restricted with clubs due to fast boats needing more water? (But sea venues are turning us away)
i) Clubs don't want classes that aren't already active at that club (This is true of Weston SC for one!)
Maybe I am stirring things up, or upsetting a few people by my tactful approach, but this isn't aimed at just us as individual classes or us as a family, or any other classes, it is sailing as a whole. Even though we were top of the leaderboard in the Olympics for the second time in a row, down in the real world, the UK seem struggle to get fleets on the water!
No race attendance = more insurance fees as I feel that sailors won't improve their skills and mastery of their high performance skiffs due to Uncle Albert who fought in the war saying they never had those in his day, and that those things should be banned as the sailor has no control and keeps breaking things because they now don't mingle with the true masters of the class who can teach them a thing or two about stopping capsizing and therefore preventing the mast from digging in the mud!
If people don't travel on the circuit, how are they going to improve their own club back home? If you see another club does something better or worse, you can feed that to the folks back home?
If clubs won't host events, then how are they going to get fees to survive? Put club members fees up who then can't afford it and give it up as a bad job. Also how do clubs attract new members when their old salty sea dog long time sailor members book in for their viking burial?
I know of clubs I would and wouldn't join if I had the opportunity / situation arose. Found out by travelling.
Before you mention The RS Ass'n, they succeed because they have a dedicated team who are paid to co-ordinate events from start to finish. They provide an excitingish circuit with sponsors etc. Many say so they should at the price of their boats! But every other class is run by volunteers who need the support of the sailors of its class, both in class fees to keep running and circuit attendance to keep the curcuit running.
Over to you lot - lets get some action, not just talk going here!
No support from you = no sailing.
Bed time... |
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Bob Ladell |
Posted: 10-Nov-04 01:21 |
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.............otherwise known as onward and upward 
Well ok Pete's right - if you want to be negative and take things to
their logical progression.
But - hey - we're the ISO Class !! Right ?? And we're positive thinke
rs - aren't we ? And we've gone from 22 at the Nationals in 2002 to 34
in 2004. And that's a GREAT increase isn't it. And we're going for 40
+ in 2005 - and 50+ in 2006 - aren't we !!!!
No - don't give me that response - we ARE going to have 40+ in 2005 a
ren't we !!! ' cos we're going to ***make*** it happen. That's ALL of
us - not just the Committee.
We've had a GRRRREEEAAATTT season with some excellent winds. OK a few
of you decided to recognise your limitations - and all respect for th
at - and not sail. No problem at all - no broken boats and most import
antly, no broken people. That contributed to a few lower than hoped fo
r turnouts - but safety prevailed for people and insurance claims. Tha
t's just fine.
Now to 2005 - we have a good circuit being built. Steve and Ian K-G h
ave been working hard together to get it sorted out but had two major
problems :-
1 clubs don't respond to e-mails
2 even phone calls have no replies
So - how about giving the Commodore and sailing Sec at YOUR club a ha
rd time and getting a venue set for 2005 or 2006. Liaise with Steve Be
ll asap please - and MAKE it happen !!
How does that advert go ? You can do it, if you ISO Q it
Looking forward to that ton of responses in to Steve - steve "AT" 30a
vonway.freeserve.co.uk
Cheers
Bob
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Stuart Buzz 722 |
Posted: 10-Nov-04 12:56 |
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Do you feel better for that Pete. . .
It is a recognised problem and one that i've been trying to deal with in my area. Since getting my Buzz a year ago i've managed to get a second one at my club, Medway Yacht Club (well done James), and during the last month 2 more Buzzes have been purchased at my adjacent club, Wilsonians Sailing Club (a blast in a force 5 helped with the choice for one of these over a Laser 3000).
My next objective is to get these to attend the open meetings. James (Buzz 888) did come along to Datchet and thoroughly enjoyed it, although along with many others a few breakages occured.
I have tried to encourage others to come along to open meetings but I think the problem with the Buzz fleet is that Buzz sailors tend to be young or have children (not that i fit into either catorgory!). This means that cost can be an issue, especially if campsites are not available locally or transport to and from the events can be an issue (i believe another problem now is that when you pass your driving test you are not automatically able to tow, a seperate test has to be taken. I'm not sure of the exact details but worth checking up on). There are also some that put club racing first, which is obviously great if there are many Buzzes to race against.
Onto the subject of clubs to host events, Medway Yacht Club is always keen to host open meetings and do not have a boat limit or any other complications. We have a supperb clubhouse, large changing rooms and our own campsite. The only thing we don't have is a large area that can be used for windward, leeward courses without sailing further down river (The Dragons done this last year when they had an open meeting at the club). We can however provide normal courses using navigational bouys located on the river if this was of interest. Maybe it would be an idea to include Medway Regatta as an event for next year as this is already an organised event and they would give us our own start if there is 5 or more boats. This is actually run by Wilsonians Sailing Club, but our facilities can also be used.
Medway Marathon - 26th June 2005(26 miles, good practice for regatta?)
Medway Regatta - 2nd/3rd July 2005
The club websites can be viewed at www.medwayyachtclub.com and www.wilsoniansc.org.uk (I apologise for the lack of a Handicap Class page at Medway Yacht Club, I am in the process of developing this now)
I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the above. . . |
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Bob Ladell |
Posted: 10-Nov-04 21:18 |
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Way to go Stuart !!! Nice to hear about success stories. If you could get those 3 or 4 BOSS' on the circuit as well that would be even better.
Towing test - you are correct - although I don't know the details either. Costs even more money. Enough said !
Medway / Wilsonian - thanks for that. I'm sure Steve is watching this thread and will follow up on it.
Thanks for your feedback - and help.
Bob |
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apawtionofshawts |
Posted: 10-Nov-04 23:01 |
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its a fair shout. i feel there is a simple answer to this, some where some how, just can't put my finger on the right medication. regular opens? more adverts in the big mags? some how the rs assn' gets away with charging high membership fees, but then owners of rs' can afford it possibly. an insentive, an attraction, to turning to a iso buzz etc to bring more and more ppl in? im hoping the dinghy show '05 will help bring a bit more interest to the spice, which is a good thing. this is an expensive idea yeah, but would it reep the rewards? |
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Ian Moss |
Posted: 11-Nov-04 00:21 |
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The problem with the dinghy show is people at the show either already sail and know exactly what they are looking for, or can't sail, and are looking for guidance!
Unfortunately neither the Buzz, ISO, Spice or Boss seem to appeal to either of these groups!
Of course the classes still have to be at the show just to remind people we still exist and pick up the odd convert.
Looking at Pete's argument our problem is current owners do not turn up in enough numbers at open events. (They do turn up but we need more to get the prestigious venues)
As we know the boats are out there so we, 'simply' need to get the boats travelling. We can either encourage owners to travel to events, or encourage those who travel to buy our boat.
I doubt you will ever get many owners who don't go to events to start going so we need to encourage those who are likely to do events. Once you get to a critcal mass newcomers want to come along to see what it's all about!
I guess what I am saying let's not berate owners for not joining in but encourge potential owners to want to? Unfortuantely the argument that it is an easy to sail, good strong boat that is cheap and cheerful is just not going to do it for the type of owners we need to attract!
This goes for all classes!
Ian
P.S. Towing laws have changed for post 1997 licences but I think you will find trailing a lightyweight dinghy trailor is OK for anyone on a car licence. |
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steveb |
Posted: 11-Nov-04 09:12 |
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The number of boats is obviously very important in supporting open events. I am sure also that the bigger the fleet the more people we meet and more the general enthusiasm spreads.
Apart from clubs wanting a minimum number of boats at an open, many clubs won't hold an event if our class is not sailed in their club. The answer to this is to look at the clubs we all belong to and think would it be a good club to hold an ISO event (even better if its on the sea), maybe ask the club if they would be interested and let me know. I can then make further enquiries with a view to adding it to next years fixture list or possibly 2006. |
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jamesb |
Posted: 11-Nov-04 17:16 |
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Some interesting points raised here, but in the interests of a balanced discussion, let’s address some of the complaints & concerns...
Firstly, no active circuit = no interest in the classes. Probably not true – the average Buzz/ISO/Boss buyer isn’t buying the boat on the back of the quality of the race circuit offered, but because the boats offer great value & performance for the money, and a great entry point to Sunday club racing.
Secondly, are suppliers really going to lose interest in replacing broken parts & worn out sails just because there’s no active circuit? I don’t think so. As long as there’s a steady flow of people breaking things, the suppliers will be happy to make money by providing replacement parts. That said, there are definitely benefits to using the class association as a collective body to negotiate prices, specifications etc.
Finally, no race circuit = no funding for the class association. Well that’s a more fundamental point, and really comes down to how the committee chooses to represent the class members. Take the ISOs as an example – 700 ISOs sold, national attendance in 2004 of 34 boats, or about 5% of the class. So if we assume that there’s another 30 or so boats that may have possibly attended (but didn’t know about the nationals, couldn’t make that weekend, etc.), by continually focusing on the racing circuit, the committee is still only addressing 10% of ISO owners, and probably alienating a significantly higher percentage.
Perhaps it’s time to accept that dinghy buyers looking for a competitive circuit are going to buy RS boats, not Topper. That being the case, maybe the committee should think about how they can better address the needs of ALL owners, not just those interested in single-class racing. What does that entail? Well for a start, they could cut the incessant criticism of those owners who don’t actively participate in the circuit. Yes, it is fun to from time to time, but the majority of owners don’t have the time or the inclination to dedicate numerous weekends towing a boat across the country.
There’s no doubt that an active circuit helps promote the profile of the class, and there’s no doubt that the committee has worked hard to establish and run the circuit. But why not devote a little more attention to the needs of those owners not interested in taking part in the circuit, who make up the majority of the class?
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Pete Lindley |
Posted: 11-Nov-04 20:18 |
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How can we contact these people that only sail at their club / forgotten they have a boat in the weeds down the sailing club? They (the majority, not all) don't joint the class association, so we can't get in touch with them and are unable to ask them if they want help.
Any ideas along this approach that has been suggested?
This email came from David via the ISO Feedback form on the website:
"It is with much regret that I have had to sell my ISO, therefore I would like to cancel my membership to the ISO Association.
Unfortunately I have not been able to compete in the ISO curcuit, however the information that is available on the website and a training event run by the association have enabled me to get as much as possible out of my ISO.
I have to say that I have not had as much fun sailing any other dinghy as I have in the ISO.
Without the class association I probably would have spent much more time swimming!
Best regards
David"
So this is a not very active ISO Circuit attendee. but an active ISO sailor never the less. We have made his sailing better without realising it!!
Liking the comments guys. Good to see other opinions from the quiet members of the fleet.
Ultimately we want more attendees to the race circuit throughout the season or at least major events. Also the goal is to keep the class alive and active.
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Bob Ladell |
Posted: 11-Nov-04 23:51 |
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James - many thanks for your comments. Much appreciated.
If you would like to e-mail me direct - bob.ladell "AT" blueyonder.co.uk - it would be very useful to take your comments on board during our Winter discussions. Would really appreciate your input.
Bob |
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Lloyd Walker |
Posted: 12-Nov-04 17:05 |
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I can think of one simple way to increase numbers at nationals but it won't win me any friends in the Boss and Spice class. Last year I went to the ISO Nats at Falmouth which was my first ISO event (hope to do more now I have bought a boat of my own). The event was combined with the Boss and Spice Nats. I only saw four Bosses and no Spices. If the four guys sailing the bosses bought ISOs then 10% increase straight away. I mean why would anyone want to sail against three other boats when they could sail against 39? It is true that not many RS sailors will change to topper classes (me excluded) but there are plenty of people sailing other topper classes who I am sure would get better racing in ISOs. I can hear the angry keyboards tapping away already but isn't it time to draw on your strengths and they do seem to lay in the ISO class. For example this excellent web site would not exist if it were not for the ISO class it seems to me. No doubt someone will put me right but surely the spice can't offer better racing than the ISO can it? If there was just the ISO class think how strong it would be, why, they may even have to build a few! Me, contraversial surely not. |
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Stuart Buzz 722 |
Posted: 13-Nov-04 01:26 |
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Well, i agree with many of the past comments and i agree that the perfect situation is for everyone to get an ISO if class racing is what you want, and that is exactly what i'd like, but with a crew of just over 50kgs an ISO is not overly practical which is why i have a Buzz. With a Buzz you can go to every open meeting and know that the weather is not going to effect your racing, there might be a bit less or more wind than you may prefer but you can always race. Our ideal boat is a Spice, but without the numbers increasing it's not an option really, but i bet there's a lot of others that think that way but because of that the Spice class is not likely to grow. Anyway, happy sailing. Winter is coming, but that's why dry suits were invented eh. . . might have January off though! |
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ISO 653 |
Posted: 13-Nov-04 15:23 |
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Oh Dear !!
Goodness me - we went through all this several years ago in the Blaze class. 'Soul searching' is all you can call it and it does not add up to too much without real proactive involvement by all concerned. You simply have to decide what the class is about, who excatly are your target users, keep it all as simple as possible and then DO IT ! We only have 220 boat in the Blaze class and we do EXPECT to get more than 20% out to each nationals. If we can do it so can the ISO's .... and you have so much more potential (700+ boats for a start) if you don't get bogged down in depressing yourselves.
The target group of sailors have not really changed - it's regular racers surely. However one observation - if you do not move forward, see no change as being actually desirable you will end up with most of the 700 being owned only by those who just want the occasional 'cheap thrill' and are not too bothered with the rump of your circuit or the association.
You need to 1) sort out the rules - what is allowed and what SHOULD be allowed to expand the boats appeal (those bloody wings are STILL poorly engineered, ditto rudder stocks etc etc - what's happening there ?) Many more who DON't sail one today might be interested if you sorted the 'boat' - its all about appealing to FUTURE owners not only the existing ones. 2) Proactively offer to BUY boats off those who do not use them - sort them out and get the keen and the young into them 3) Focus the associations racing on the MAJOR handicap events - Blody Mary, Hoo freezer, IOS race etc) - you can have a ready made meeting within a meeting - and the association can put up it's own class prizes. The added bonus is that lots of others see you racing and think "well just maybe that's what I want" Small numbers have a big impact in this manner and for the dozen who turn up it feels like a major event - one of the reasons possibly that not enought do the current ISO circuit. 4)Don't worry about the manufacturers - do it yourself - it's not about their advertising is it - it's about your actions !? 5) Market the nationals early, offer early entry discounts, give good class association polo shirts to those who book early and so on. It's just plain old fashioned marketing.
Lastly - don't lose sight of that target owners group - they generally DO NOT sail an ISO today. So they might think the boat is untrendy, heavy, unrefined etc - well beat the 'others' on handicap at the high visibility events and you'll see ..... Develop the boat a bit along the lines of the one at the last show as well. Do this but also address the fact that the ISO LOOKS awkward and needs a minor make-over to widen it's appeal. You may not agree totally but we would not be trying to persuade the already converted only - we would be appealing to potential CONVERTS who will be this class's real future.
So start NOW - just turn up at the 'Grand Prix' at Grapham and the Bloody Mary as well for a start - does not matter if there are 3 or 13 or even 33 get out there and show the class is actually reviving and can take on the best of them.
Cheers - Mike Lyons (now ISO 1170 - 653 has gone to a new 'convert)
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Ian Keam_George |
Posted: 15-Nov-04 08:52 |
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Listen people there is nothing new about struggling to get the open circuit together. I know as I've been doing it for 4 years and every year has been difficult for one reason or another. No matter though; we had a circuit and people attended; sure numbers have increased in the past couple of years which is a step forward.
Having also been a sailing secretary and arranged opens as the host club I can tell you that there is always pressure from within to limit the impact on club sailing. Not many club members want their sailing cancelled when a class, not even sailed at the club, attends and then only in limited numbers. It's also an issue of resources (race officers, support boat crews, committee boats and catering). It's not unreasonable to demand a guarantee nor is it unreasonable to host events for boats only sailed at that club. This is the issue; nothing else.
It affects the ISO (and sister classes) as we're spread widely across the clubs with active fleets in only a few places (Emsworth, Essex, King George, Restronguet, Glossop. This would give us the core of a good circuit but we only hold events at 2 of these regularly. Unfortunately Essex has tidal limitations that make it unsuitable and Emsworth, I believe, has other issues.
This leaves those locations who will host you, regardless of boats in the club, for a commercial return; hence the minimum number guarantee. For these would could combine with other classes and maybe incentivise newcomers to the circuit. I never made the time to do this although I reckon the effort would be worthwhile.
To make the open circuit flourish and attract more people we first need club fleets and attention should be directed towards that objective. I'm sure 2005 will be fine; just like previous years.
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Nick M |
Posted: 15-Nov-04 10:18 |
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I dont see what all this hoo ha is all about, the iso class has done fantastically to raise its numbers; if the hard work continues you will carry on growing! It may sometimes feel like a hard slog (like trying to pull the BOSS kite up) but you will always reep the rewards at the end of it.
And no offence to Lloyd Walker and the iso class, but why move down from a BOSS to an iso when you can move up to the 49er. Yes you offer a very competitive circuit but so does the 49er (a new challenge and a fleet to race against at the end of it).
Basically, stop with the negative defeatist attitude and DO instead whinge - your class has the ability!
Nick M (BOSS 796) |
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Dean Lilllywhite 815 |
Posted: 19-Nov-04 17:25 |
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Thats one serious essay pete. Unfortunately we have not been able to attend many of the events this year due to other commitments (including the fact we race not only the iso but the rs800 as well). Next year we are hopeing to attend all events and are arranging things so this is possible. I believe richard lewis and andrew gould are also intending on doing the same. Thats 3 boats from slipper out of the 12 or so, as for the rest my dad is constantly helping and encouraging the whole fleet and i believe 3 or 4 of them are going to sail at a few of the events.
Although slipper has a large fleet of iso's it is also tidal ian and the launching would be near impossible due to the small beach, that along with the large amounts of yachts going up and down the channel would make it less than ideal.
Anyways look forward to seeing you all again next year
Dean |
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Andrew Gould |
Posted: 22-Nov-04 09:07 |
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Pete,
Well after being out of ISOs for 2 years (cruising the Carribean) it seems that numbers are well up at the nationals. The class seems to be in quite a good position. This is largely thanks to you Pete + Ian and Bob.
Well we've just bought an ISO again, for club racing and occasional open meeting and was thinking what we could do. Well there are two things.
First I'd like to arrange a training day down at Emsworth next summer. It should be possible if we pick the right tide and get the support of the club to allow us to use support boats.
Second, it would be good to have an open meeting down here. Emsworth does hold open meetings for Mirrors, Toppers and Lasers, but there isn't the space for an ISO open meeting. We can barely fit the club boats in the dinghy park and there's just no space.
However, there is an event we could all join in and that's Fed week, down in Chichester harbour. Fed week takes place every year at Hayling Island S.C.in mid August and is the biggest dinghy event in the country. We get about 400+ dinghies every year of which about 35 compete in the assymetric handicap. This normally has about 10 ISOs, 10 Laser 4000s, 10 29ers and a few Buzzes and K6s. The handicaps of The ISO,29er,Laser 4000 and K6 are identical (+/-1min) so it's basically a straight race for the majority of the fleet. The week is more of a fun racing week with plenty of entertainment laid on and only one race per day, all within the wide expanse of water inside Chichester harbour. There's sandy beaches at HISC and East Head and the racing is set in beautiful surroundings.
Why don't we promote that event via the ISO website and get 10 more ISOs to turn up? Oh, by the way, the cost is about £30 for the whole week and it is 3 out of 5 races to count. There's also the HISC regatta the Sunday before.
There's no further organisation on our part, it's all laid on and it is fantastic racing. I think we should promote this as one of the big ISO events of the season. Anyone keen on this idea?
Andrew
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Pete Lindley |
Posted: 22-Nov-04 13:54 |
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Thanks for the complement Andy, you are not the only one who thanks Bob, Ian and myself for our efforts. (All other classes please note that we put effort into our class and our class has grown!)
Three points I will claim personal credit to are contributing enthusiasm to the class - ensuring I attend practically every meeting (even the very low single figure turnouts over the past 11 years in Buzz and ISO), creating such an active website and message board, and finally, getting Bob on board as our chairman back at the Highcliffe Nationals! (Well volunteered Bob!  )
Anyway, I have stayed out of this thread mainly to let others have their say for a change. The key point is that I want more people on the race circuit. A constant high figure instead of peaks and troughs. The low numbers is the reason why we are struggling to get into some / most sailing clubs, so improve on the regular turnouts and we can get into bigger clubs!
The circuit numbers have grown and it is a pleasure to see new faces out there enjoying their racing / socialising.
I am now a meer mortal and understand why everybody didn't attend every event like myself. I have lack of funds and time at the moment. This is also a contributing factor why I never do normal sailing at weekends.
Keeping the events in the far south will ensure the lack of attendance from the further north people and will prevent potential newcomers from seeing the class. But when we do have an event further north - you southerners don't travel north to support the class!! Therefore we have a low turnout at the event and we aren't welcome at the club again!! Grrrrr!!! I helped keep the numbers up in the south through the bad times, now would you all mind contributing and doing the same a little further north of King George SC? We need to nibble away further north spreading the word and showing newcomers that we are a thriving active fleet, not an old, heavy boat, low competition, fleet.
The Emsworth training will really only be for the home club boats I feel, due to the low space, both ashore and on the H20. Any help / advice for the weekend, please get in touch Andy.
I think that Fed week is worth coinsidering as a circuit event - less work for all class organisers. It also means that there will be no commitment on number of class boats to attend. Also there is Abersoch week. Trouble is here that people need time off work to attend!
Fed Week, Pyefleet Week (Brightlingsea), Abersoch week, All need Annual Leave from work, and there could be a backlash in that people will attend these and use their brownie points instead of using them for the Nationals & Eurocup!??
Oh well, theres a few more bits for people to ponder over.
Pete
[Edited by Pete Lindley on 22-Nov-04 21:04] |
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Mark Dowling |
Posted: 22-Nov-04 17:36 |
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Great idea - I think we should adopt one of the major regatta weeks as a class - others do it Fireballs and Lasers at Poole week which is a really good one as well with loads of entertainment. Hayling Island SC has an amazing new clubhouse and think Fed week would be a winner - as we have our nationals so early I do not think we would dilute attendance - so think we need to pick a regatta and commit to it - could alternate with Garda |
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Jane Mark Buzz 847 |
Posted: 23-Nov-04 12:05 |
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Hi
At Langstone we do have an annual debate on what opens we will host, particualarly in light of the number of 'duties' required as we usually struggle to find enough people to roster for club racing before even considering opens. Usually we do a topper open and a Laser 2000 open (which is usually also open to Buzzes - I'll post a note when I know more details - it woudl be great to see some of you there) which puts us at capacity. It is often a 'p' course and is not unfortunately open to ISO's as it is felt that too many faster boats may put off the intended L2000.
Anyway reading the rest of the thread I note that Emsworth, despite having an active ISO fleet, feel it can't host an open due space and tides. Is there any scope of sharing clubs? Ie could you host an event using our club house using Langstone harbour but you arranging all the duties, race instructions etc. Evenings could be at one of the Emsworth club houses? It could even happen on a day when we are runing club racing in the other harbour. Just a thought and it would obviously take some negotiating between the clubs (sadly I am not in a position to give authorisation) but with a little thinking beyond the box it could work. If you think this is worth exploring more I could have a chat with our sailing sec to see if it something our club would consider? Let me know your thoughts.
I also agree that it would be great to see more buzzes (and ISOs) at Fed week (Hayling in August; mid-week) - not traditional windward leeward courses but really good fun - the tides make racing a real challenge. Goto http://www.hisc.co.uk/fedweek04.htm for last years info.
Cheers
Jane
[Edited by Jane Mark Buzz 847 on 23-Nov-04 12:11] |
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Stuart Buzz 722 |
Posted: 23-Nov-04 13:50 |
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Pete,
Just thought i'd let you know that we are prepared to traval north for open meetings as i'm sure some other Buzz sailors are as they travel miles as it is, the travelling would just be in a different direction! Do we need a passport for North of Watford though?!!
While we're on the subject of venues for open meetings there is Medway Regatta as i mentioned before. This is just during a weekend (2nd/3rd July) so it shouldn't involve time of work. There are 4 Buzzes already between Medway Yacht Club and Wilsonian Sailing Club so with some visitors we should have a reasonable fleet. For those who are keen there is also the Medway Marathon the Sunday before, boats can then be left at the club for the week. Medway Yacht Club also has it's own campsite which can be used. If interested have a look at the websites www.medwayyachtclub.com or www.wilsoniansc.org.uk for more details. I shall also post this on the message board nearer the time.
Stuart. |
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947_ Isabel_Joce |
Posted: 23-Nov-04 17:47 |
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Mostly for the BUZZ community!
I'm "trying" to sort out some additional fixtures for Buzzes including joining in with Open (handicap) meetings. If you have any suggestions please can you email me - isabeljoce@blueyonder.co.uk - I will try to get a "calender" of Events together with Chris H. I'll also pass details to Jude and get them on the website.
Please include me in your loop.
PS - who was Pete getting at regarding masts stuck in the mud??????
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Tim |
Posted: 24-Nov-04 14:23 |
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Guys,
On a lighter note I think we should try a organise an open event in the Red Sea. Currently down here for the week and its a very pleasant 30degC and blowing about force 5 all day! Sea is 25C and very very clear, just watch out for the coral reefs they will put a bigger hole in the boat that Pete's wings will! All I need is an ISO and not a Hobie 14
See you all soon
Tim |
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Ian Paterson |
Posted: 07-Dec-04 20:28 |
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Time for some Spicey input I feel.
1) message for Stuart, Buzz 722 - if the Spice is your ideal boat why not get yourself one and challenge the rest of us active spicers to join you in racing? Why deny yourself your ideal boat ? If everyone thought like you the UK dinghy scene would be a very restricted place. Are other potential Spicers are thinking like you & maybe thats why there are so few Spices sailing??????!!! Sailing a Buzz is great (I know having had one myself) but Spicing is another dimension for us lightwieghts who want to go 2 wire - go on, I dare you! I agree with you that much as the Iso fleet is the active one its not the boat for me (sorry Bob/Pete).
2) small fleets and non racing. As we have only a potential fleet of 75, getting 5 boats together is an achievement and a healthy percentage, and can provide enough interest for racing to be worthwhile. However with such small nos the fleet is v prone to non- appearance due to unforseen circumstances (last Datchet meeting for example) which is just a fact of life. The answer is for us to try to agree to make an effort to all get together at just a few events over the year to race. We will continue to have to rely on the more popular classes fixture list to provide the venues tho. happy to chip in ideas too...
3) Delivering something for Non-racing members. What worked well for us was training days to help us learn from each other (and latterly a trainer - thanks Pete L) how to get the best out of our boats. Good interest, enthusiasum and turnouts resulted. May not have resulted in more racing on the circuit this year but more days like it could well have an effect next season as people are more confident in their abilities.
Will save more general thoughts on fixture/venues for a later post.
Ian Paterson Spice 346
[Edited by Ian Paterson on 07-Dec-04 20:43] |
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