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| Scuttlebutt News: Industry Commentary by Bruce Brown
I often read that traditionalists would prefer to have the oceans and anchorages to themselves, like the old days when few sailed and fewer left the protection of their own harbors. I hear those same people swear about the increasing prices of products and the difficulty in finding the gear or even the boats they want to sail. It becomes a difficult discussion to hear when on the one hand, a desire to be out there in the calm of the sea dictates we pay a high price for our pleasure. Remembering that those days of few boaters and fewer sailors meant the elite were the only ones that could afford to enjoy the sport is a hard lesson to learn. How can we involve the sailors that are transiting through the various levels and help them to continue their passion for the sport? I witnessed an interesting element presented at a regional consumer event called Women on the Water. It was a focus to make boating more accessible to women. Seminars on boat ownership, boating terms and even demonstrations by women were available. Free admission was offered and almost a thousand women participated in this one-day event. It continues to show me that there is an active interest in boating and the industry continues to struggle to make it accessible to that 52% of the population. There is an interest and it deserves to be addressed! As a sport, the racing element of sailing does not offer an easy transition from the youth racing to college (few programs to choose from - although more than in years past). Beyond the college level, our sport does not offer easy access to racing for those with the desire but without ownership of a boat. Many clubs have a crew list and a summer program for weeknight race events that allow for "pick up" crews. Few top-level racing programs are willing to bring along some new pick up crew. But remembering that someone gave each of us our first chance to race on board a boat might be reason enough. I would suggest a regional sponsored program that encourages bringing a new crew on board those races that are more casual than the high-level championship races. Let's keep things local and they stand a chance to work. If we try to bring a national body to organize, we will loose the momentum required for success! Our sport needs some new thinking to keep it alive! We need to offer simple ways for new participants to share in the fun. "Share the Fun" is a simple way to grow our sport, bring sailors along in their level of ability and keep our passion alive. I have seen handicap races that give extra credit for older crew, younger crew, more women and couples. These fun races get lots of participation and are keeping some regional programs alive. All comers’ events will also make racing interesting. Limiting to Yacht Club members excludes sailors from participation. Looking for ways to bring more participation to our events will increase awareness in the public eye for our sport and perhaps even help keep costs down by increasing the size of the market. Lets open a discussion on how to bring our new sailors along and keep that passion alive before we give everyone another reason to choose a different sport! Note: Bruce Brown is the principal in Bruce Brown and Associates, which offers services in marketing and merchandising of products in the marine, outdoor and hardware industries. |
 
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