Commodore’s Message 2025

Good evening, everyone.  It would have been great to join you in person this evening, but the eight hours of driving in winter wasn’t on for me!

It is great to see, via technology, the good turnout to our AGM and dinner.  Good to see, and I would like to give a special welcome to visitors Roberto and Stevennina Drasssinower who, I am told, are here checking us out!

As we think back on our 2024 season that was, we can find a lot to be happy about.  We had very enjoyable events at our traditional venues, and I think it is now fair to say that Peterborough Sailing Club has become a new traditional site after three consecutive years of visits from us. 

We did find challenges in participation at times (an example being the North American’s), but we did have a great turnout at MSC for our Canadians – 14 boats, I believe. 

Also, it was exciting to see two new championship teams: Alastair and Andrew at the North Americans - a closely contested competition that had a very narrow points spread. Of course, Alastair did serve notice at the Heist in 2023 that he and shiny new W11386 were out to win.

Then, just one week later, Ross and Eric bested the fleet at the Canadians – with Mike and Marg a very close second, something that could have gone either way. 

However, not content with just a win at the Canadians, a few weeks later Ross and Eric followed up with a win at the Heist. 

Congratulations to all our winners and well done by all participants!

As we all know and understand, the great regattas we have are only possible due to the wonderful teams of volunteers that come out to work for us, giving their time, energy and hospitality to making things run smoothly.  Thank you to all our volunteers, nothing could happen without you!

I do have one complaint, however.  Ross seems to have not understood the rule of sailing etiquette that says the people who organize regattas, and host regattas, should not win that regatta! It always seemed to work out that way for me at least…. 😊

The Big World out there

Looking further afield, it appears that not all is well in the sailing world. Sailing organizations around the world are facing similar difficulties, primarily decreasing participation.

In Dec 2024, Australian Sailing released its annual Clubs Survey 

It seems that the top 5 Challenges faced by clubs there are:

1. On-water participation.
2. Attracting new members
3. Recruiting and retaining volunteers.
4. Retention of existing members.
5. Funding for infrastructure and maintenance.

…and these are issues very familiar to us here in Canada.

Sailing in the UK is also changing. 

Since 2002, participation in sailing is trending downwards.  The only exception was a brief blip up in 2021 due to Covid restrictions. Other issues:

Access to the sport is repeatedly cited as an obstacle too great for many. 

• Sailing  now competes with sports that are seen to be easier to get into, such as paddleboarding, kayaking and wind/kite surfing – sports which are growing across all age ranges.
• Of particular concern is the drop in numbers of 16- to 34-year-olds in racing and cruising, with small boat sailing (dinghies and open dayboats) worst affected. 
  
• Apparently, the picture is not much better for the 35- to 54-year-olds, except for yacht cruising, which they say is
 stable.
  
• At this point, the 55+ age group is growing in most activities, which is keeping the sailing industry ticking in the short term but with no cohort coming behind. 

Do these points sound like us Wayfarers?  Perhaps more than a bit!

All this is, of course, quite concerning.  Wayfarers, similar to most dinghy classes, continue to thrive in certain regions and demographics. But we, too, face all the challenges listed by those reports from Australia and the UK.

How do we convince a young professional of any type, male or female, to spend limited resources on a wonderful boat such as a Wayfarer when a modern, well equipped one costs as much as $20,000 or more?  Even good used, competitive Wayfarers are expensive now.

In addition, how do we get newcomers to commit to travelling to regattas and cruising opportunities when their family, work and social commitments override such activities?

There is also another consideration which has resulted from our changing world…. many of the current 55+ generation grew up messing about in boats and may have taken up racing en route.  At that time, there were far fewer diversions. We did not have the options that young people now have.

Without a doubt, we Wayfarers face challenges which will necessitate strategies to sustain ourselves, adapt and grow participation.  Thankfully, we have a great boat that more people need to learn about and come to enjoy!

Here, closer to my home, some positive news. The North Bay YC is trying to address some of these issues, thanks to a turnover to younger people now involved with the Board. One example is Steve Turcotte, ex TS&CC.  He is intent on attracting younger sailors and has lined up two used CL14s and one CL16 with the intent of starting a junior program. I will help him if I can!

Wrap-Up

BUT enough of pondering the future of sailing in the World!

We have a busy season coming up for us in 2025, not only for our local racing but also for our teams making plans to go to the Worlds 19 in Skive, Denmark. Although the Beowulf team won’t be in Denmark, we do expect to see all of you when we gather for the Warm Water in June. Our intention will be to challenge you in preparation for the Worlds competitions!

With all that said, I will close off by thanking our Chairman Rob, Secretary Scott, Treasurer Mike, Membership Kit, Webmaster and communication guru Al, John, Leo, Jan, Alan, Alastair, Sue, and Steph (our keen and enthusiastic executive group) for keeping our Association alive, on track and contributing to the international world of Wayfaring. 

A wish all of you an enjoyable evening of Wayfarer comradeship and a safe and uneventful trip home at the conclusion of today’s event.

Thanks for listening.

David Hansman

North Bay (via Teams link)

18 January 2025