You know, I think those are the biggest reasons why some people that are recreational sailors don't get into racing. We (as in us) need to be more open about it. I haven't done the racing thing in a while because of different reasons, but I like it and will do it again.

I helped a newbie one time by just following them around the course and gave them pointers as we went around the buoys. Well it wasn't a big regatta or anything, it was about 3 or 4 of us that set out some buoys and there were a couple of newbies. I didn't win anything that day and wasn't expecting too, but that person that I "coached" around the course really enjoyed it and said they learned a lot. They haven't been out since then, but they popped out a little one a few months after that.

After I did that, I told myself if I see a new comer to sport, I would do it again. I might not do well that day or that weekend, but if I can show someone that it doesn't really matter, they might be more willing to do the races.

We all like to win, but no one will win if the sport dies.


Anyway, just my humble thoughts on the vast universe of the internet. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />