A Brighter Future

by Steve Cockerill

Some five years ago I was in the office of the director of one of the largest one design dinghy manufacturers in Europe, discussing the possibility of a dealership - where I learned of their shocking mission statement that the dinghy sailing pie was getting ever smaller and their goal was to use all their energy to take more of the sailing pie that was left than everyone else. I must admit that I did not follow his reasoning then, and I still do not. I have spent the last five years trying to prove him wrong and I would like to explain to you my vision. I should add that in the last five years I have visited over 120 sailing clubs where I have given Boat Whisperer Talks, attended 18 National Championships, 6 European and 5 World Championships and talked to thousands of sailors - so I feel reasonably qualified to write a counter argument. My Vision is to make the sport of dinghy sailing ever more popular. If I can liken the numbers of active dinghy sailors to the size of a pie, then I take the view that I am dedicated to add new people to the pie and find better ways of keeping them in once they have caught the bug. I am also trying to encourage the industry, National Bodies and the press where possible to join in this quest. It's no coincidence that roostersailing has grown, using the same vision at the heart of the companies ethos, from a small rope development company to a million pound turnover company. Firstly let's look at ways to increase the size of the pie - probably the most obvious - The industry needs to provide the cheapest entry boats for young sailors - Rooster's partner OPPI is manufacturing rotomoulded oppi trainers that we supply at a mere £760 ready to sail. The manufacturer has a similar vision to myself and works tirelessly to produce the Oppi's at an affordable price. The whole project is almost charity! Rooster also stock rotomoulded rescue boats for less than £1000. This means that sailing clubs can take six Oppi's and a rescue boat package for a little over £5000. The 6:1 boats: rescue boat ratio is that recommended by the RYA. With this package - I hope to encourage friends of sailors and their neighbours kids and friends to start to be involved in the sport, not just the kids of sailors. Recently a new boat has been introduced - the Tera. Designed to be a 'cooler' entry level boat for older kids and adults who want a small tender to row and sail for just £995. Now we have two boats that can encourage more sailors into the sport. We need to sell the sport to new potential sailors and their families - we all know how sailing can make young people independent, resourceful or organised. I only have immense respect for the young sailors I sail against. Last year at the Laser National Qualifier in the 4.7, Radial and Standard Rig in Tyne Tees in 2005, we had 54 knots and a fleet of over 160 sailors on the water. Amazingly all sailors made it home. Most under their own steam, and many with help from support boats. No one suffered from hypothermia, everyone was properly dressed, but most of all, none of the sailors lost their calm. On this note I must praise Topper's recent DVD that they issued free with the Dinghy Sailing Magazine. A DVD that helps introduce the sport to potential kids and families - it was pure genius- if you have not seen it - you must! New and Lost interest -I see so many people at shows who show an interest in dinghy sailing and wonder how they should get into the sport. I really wish we could get off the ground an OPPI friendly club status or a Tera Friendly Club - or a Pico Friendly Club - so smaller, under manned clubs can welcome new members with open arms to help teach the kids and parents to sail within the structure of a racing environment. Imagine when a new customer asks - if I buy this boat how do I start to sail? We could give them a list of OPPI friendly clubs in their area and contact details to start them on their way. This is an initiative that I hope we can get off the ground in the near future perhaps with your help……. The Tera   Maintaining Interest Sorry - this part might be an advert - Sailors need access to the best clothing available to make sailing throughout the season possible and affordable. That way we don't loose summer sailors to a new sport the moment it starts to turn cold! Before you know it they have taken up squash! Rooster Sailing's quest for excellence in our layered approach to dinghy sailing equipment is not only market leading but it also means that for a little over £100 - a sailor can convert his summer and autumn kit into winter kit. A lot cheaper and more effective than splashing out on a dry suit! One design manufacturers should encourage racing to be affordable to prevent sailors from defecting to golf or more affordable sports when considering their options. Interestingly the replica sails market has been growing in the UK. Rooster has many of the one design classes covered - aiming to nearly half the cost of a new sail - that way sailors with a limited budget feel they can compete and enjoy their hobby to its best. Topper saw it as an opportunity rather than a threat and nearly matched the price of our replica sails this season. I think that they have sold lots more sails this year, so parents, kids and Topper are winners. Take away the top secret aspect of sailing - too much secret old boy stuff and new sailors will take up a sport that offers them more information to make achieving seem more possible. I personally spend about 20 evenings a winter traveling as far as Largs in Scotland to Jersey taking the Boat Whisperer Talk to sailors. The principle behind the talks is to inspire and reinvigorate club sailors. Rooster Sailing prides itself on offering free specialist information on-line through our hints and tips side of our website. Try to help disaffected sailors who feel they are at a disadvantage over those selected for youth or national squads - I have given away all the secrets of the trade - Rooster Sailing's Boat Whisperer DVD's have been a revolution for all sailors to gain the best practice information to enjoy and develop their skill - they are certainly revitalizing sailors love of the sport. Try to prevent the leaching of even some of the best sailors away from the sport when they feel that they have under achieved. I have seen so many sailors go through the RYA 'system' and give up once they have realized that Olympic gold was not on the cards. Most have left for windsurfing (which is not necessarily a loss to the pie) or partying. I think in this regard the RYA should pushing the idea of 'life sport' achievements rather than youth world championships and Olympic Medals as their sole drive. Why don't we have icons of our sport who are over 50! For example Keith Wilkins has won over 10 World Championships and we still don't see him in the magazines as much as we should. To make sailors feel that the industry is there to support them by attending major events with qualified support. All of the Rooster Team sail dinghies. Between us we attended 13 national, European and world Championships last year with our support vehicles and trailer in tow. We find that we learn more about the sailors needs by sailing and selling to them than waiting for them to come to us in our shop. Rooster Sailing will continue to work towards the ideal of increasing the size of the dinghy sailing pie. If we can help in anyway - try us!