Below is the Log entry from the latest edition.What follows is my opinion, take me on if you so wish.
I cannot agree more with the sentiments expressed in the article. In the Dabchick classes’s defence it should be made clear that a group of parents orchestrated the move of the Optimist and Lasers to another venue even after it had been advertised at Aeolians.This was done without the knowledge of the Dabchick Reps and the Aeolians committee, how it was sanctioned by SAS smacks of collusion and is in my mind a disgrace.The Dabchicks felt they were obliged to honour the Aeolians commitment and proceeded with their event. Granted it may have been another venues turn to host this event, but what happened to consultation and inclusive events ? May sanity return…..
OWEN
This is the article published by Richard Crockett :
Log entry
with Richard Crockett
It came as a jolt from nowhere when news of a serious accident involving Cape Town sailor Lance Burger and an attendant craft at a regatta in Mossel Bay, was received.
Burger is an exceptionally competent sailor who was seriously injured when run down by a powerboat while capsized. From reports received he is lucky to be alive having received critical injuries inflicted by the powerboat’s propellers. It does appear that his buoyancy aid saved him from further critical injuries to his chest and stomach.
This kind of accident is rare, and can happen, as can all manner of incidents when going to sea in a small boat. This does not mean that our sport is unsafe. It is not. On the contrary sailing is an inherently safe sport, but due to its adventurous nature and the fact that it happens on water and not the land, incidents instantly become newsworthy.
I am sure that there will be some sort of enquiry, but the initial lesson learnt is that dinghy sailors should always wear their buoyancy aids. I am sure that all yachties join me in wishing Lance Burger a speedy recovery, while extending their thoughts and prayers to his wife Jennifer and daughters Heidi, Nicola and Alex.
I was appalled just recently to hear that in the Northvaal area their Provincial Championships for the Optimist and Dabchicks were split between two venues. This is utterly insane and detrimental to our sport as our youth classes need to work together to grow the sport. This does not simply split two fleets, but also those families who have kids sailing in both classes.
I firmly believe that South African Sailing (SAS) should rule, once and for all, that these two youth classes, and indeed ALL youth classes must compete alongside each other at all times. It’s difficult enough attracting newcomers to our sport, and even more difficult keeping their interest so that they become lifetime sailors, that splitting them is destructive. The Dabchick class has been under pressure for many years as administrators and parents appear to lack the understanding required to see the value it has to our sport. The opinion of many is simply that as it’s not an international class, it’s not worth promoting. What utter rubbish! The problem with international classes for youths is that their parents want to live vicariously through their children, and then push them to compete under great pressure at the top of the fleet so that they can attend international regattas and world championships.
The Dabchick has produced many a top sailor, especially our ‘more mature’ sailors of today who learnt their sailing in the class long before the Optimist was launched. It’s a truly South African design, and one which has stood us in good stead for over 50 years. SAS, please don’t let this class slide into oblivion. To keep our youth in the sport and to encourage them to become lifetime sailors, they need to learn to have fun in a boat, and that the sport is fun with many opportunities as they grow into it. Instead we teach them to race from the first time they step into a boat which is why the graduation from Optimists to other classes as our youth sailors grow older continues to diminish.