#dinghy – Just because Irish dinghy and one design fleet attendances appear to be holding up well in recession doesn't mean there is nothing of concern in the numbers involved in what is the backbone of Irish sailing.
In fact, there's probably a window here for about five years while the domestic classes still have reasonable numbers, but a lot of the current crop of senior sailors are getting older. After that, the whole scene could really nose dive, not helped by lack of cash amongst 30–50–year–olds, which will stymie the future growth of junior sailing classes such as Oppies.
More dinghy sailing promotion on so many levels is needed to bring new blood into the sport. Euro for euro it is so much more deserving than some other waterborne initiatives this season.
This weekend the first ever staging of a World championships on Ireland's inland waters takes place on Lough Derg with the Mirror worlds. Next month, the Olympic Laser class European championships sets sail on Dublin Bay.
It illustrates a buoyant scene for now and one that accurately supports claims made by sailors last Spring that much more should be done to promote dinghy and one design sailing.
There is still the same 20-40 boat fleet sizes and strong participation in classes like Lasers, RSs, GP14s, Fireballs, Mermaids, SODs, Wags, FFs, SBs and Squibs. This month, RS titles were decided in a record breaking turnout on Belfast Lough.
There was confirmation of this at this month's Volvo Dun Laoghaire regatta with SB20s, FFs and Squibs all healthy at about 20 each and on the dinghy course you had Laser Standards, Fireballs, Mermaids, IDRA 14s and Water Wags all in double figures. A couple of new–fangled Moths too!
Of particular note was the Beneteau 21 keelboat fleet – now dubbed the Dublin Bay 21 – racing as a one design class for the first time.
Last weekend in Skerries, 15 contested the Irish Fireball title (well done Kenny and Dave), a hundred fought for three Laser titles on Lough Ree (well done Chris, Seafra & Cliodhna).
And to add to the point at a local level, last week, the National Yacht Club hosted its biggest ever junior event with a combined fleet of 180-boats off Dun Laoghaire, for a club regatta!
On the downside, it is disappointing Dragon numbers are low but that's pure economics isn't it? Wayfarers have cancelled their National Championships in Wicklow too.
Overall, we should not be complacent because of a seemingly buoyant summer period. All is not well.
This week Glenans Sail Training Association signalled problems at its operations in Collanmore and Baltimore, traditional strongholds for adult dinghy sail training.
As we know in any yacht race, if we are becalmed, we fall behind. We need to find the new wind. There is a need to grow the sport through the extensive Irish club and class network, otherwise it will die.
Support of dinghy sailing at junior, local and national level can have far reaching benefits for all aspects of the sport, a point well made last April by dinghy and one design delegates at the National Yacht Club workshop in Dun Laoghaire.
