How to get more Asians involved in sailing pursuits?

The way forward...
One solution to getting more Asians involved in yachting pursuits, came up during general discussion at the annual AY Boxing Day BBQ and has continued on with comments gathered from the January News and Views Editorial.

For Asian countries to have any chance of catching up with the developed nations racing abilities, we need to make yachting more accessible to the general public that want to try sailing and safely partake in other recreational boating activities. At present, today's disjointed format is a total miss.

Most Asian youngsters usually start with school sports and go onto state or national funded government programs that are challenging and fun at the same time. If the racing side of the sport is to be accepted it has to quickly develop into something that local sailors can aspire to win and over time grow into a sport the general public can identify with.

Initially to get the ball rolling it would cost less than a luxury imported car and can be conducted within the existing framework of national and state sporting bodies, yacht clubs, marinas, regatta organisers and generous sponsors.

The best way to start is by selecting a safety approved 8m performance sportsboat design that can easily be built in Asia and trailored across the length and breadth of the peninsula so existing sailing organisations can train local sailors to go on and form racing teams at selected regional regatta's. A nippy sportsboat is not only more affordable than bigger boats but better for learning the basics of sailing and teamwork.

The One Design racing format could be a simple windward/leeward course were possible in front of a spectator gallery and, like in tennis, it would be only the winner going through to the quarter finals, semis and a grand final. No races would be held in under five knots of constant wind.

Sports such as tennis and golf spectators get to know the competitors and are easy to follow, so they make good spectator sports. In the long run for sailing to succeed in Asia, it needs to be more exposed on television which will make local sailors more well known. Like the Monsoon Cup held recently. If local competitors are not involved or unknown, the sport is not interesting to the community at large.

Once that's up and running in then introduce a three-boat, country-by-country Team Racing competition between Asian Nations for big money prizes is the way to go. The idea is to have cameras rigged around the course plus on each boat to produce quality TV broadcast coverage.

It would be a mistake to think everything in the quick summary above can be achieved at once. This is a three year plan. These changes will have to be introduced gradually and relies on local boating organisations banding together as a unified group and introducing the plan to respective authorities for approval and assistance, as we must learn to walk before we can run.

We invite anyone interested in commenting and organisations willing to assist with coordinating a unified program to contact AsianYachting's Capt Marty at info@asianyachting.com  to put forward your point of view.

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