The Medway and Swale Boating Conference on Saturday 9th March will be looking at a range of topics including the very future of sailing and sailing clubs.
Sailing and clubs in particular are facing a decline in participation brought about by social and economic changes.
The conference’s first key speaker will be Liz Rushall, a keen sailor and the author of the Futures report commissioned by British Marine and based on data provided by the RYA and British Canoeing.
Liz set up the RYA’s participation and membership committee, which focuses on growing sailing and watersports. She is passionate about the future of the sport and will share ideas that can help keep our clubs active and growing
Also starring at the conference will be Dave Selby, known for his hilarious column in Practical Boat Owner. Like many of us at the grass roots of boating, Dave prefers to think of sailing as a pastime rather than a sport, and argues that it doesn’t have to be expensive, which is clearly true for the kind of small plastic boats he favours.
Dave describes himself as a passionate but useless sailor who’s been fumbling around the east coast for years in Marlin, his 18-ft Sailfish, without dying once.
Other issues likely to be covered by the conference will include: ageing club memberships, the decline in active participation in boating, rising costs (eg business rates, port authority fees), neglected and abandoned boats occupying moorings, and silting-up of moorings, slipways and navigation.
Lastly, are you coming? For more information and to book your ticket, visit the Conference page on the MSBA website.4