I understand why there aren't many sailors under 30, yet its kind of discouraging. I began racing with my dad religiously when I was 10 on nacra 5.5sl's and I remember there were so many young adults that were racing on everything from hobies and prindles to nacras. Now, in my early 20's, everyone else that races with us is at least late 30's. I consider myself fortunate, I have raced on hobie 18s, 17s, nacra 5.8s, 6.0s, and all the Inters. I purchased a Formula 18 at the end of last season, but the boats that most young people can afford aren't being raced anymore because they are viewed as not competetive. At one of our regattas someone actually told me that they wouldn't come back and race with their boat again because it was a hobie 20, and even though they were a decent sailor, they didn't feel competetive. The point I'm getting to is people have to start and learn somewhere, and sometimes the high preformance boats aren't the place to do it. But the boats such as the hobies, prindles, and now even the nacras seem to be being phased out. I guess I'd just like to see more young people getting into sailing and not feeling so left out because they can't afford speed.

Leah