A recurring theme in recent debate within sailing circles is that of decline: participation, membership, youth involvement and regatta turnouts are all under the spotlight with some estimates concluding that a drop of 20 to 30 per cent could be involved.
But accurate statistics and consistent methods for reporting even the numbers that do exist are woefully absent.
For some, quality rather than quantity is an equally important metric and while subjective, looking to the premier events in a given season delivers some class of an insight.
Looking at the 2014 fixtures, the reliable pattern of regattas and championships offers organisers an opportunity to prove the attraction of the sport either through quantity or quality or even both in the fleets that turnout.
Junior participation is supposedly experiencing a decline in numbers though this could yet be explained by the natural consequences of demographic changes rather than a drop in popularity of the sport amongst the under 18 cohort.
First up in a busy season will be the annual Youth National Championships to be held at Howth Yacht Club from April 24th to 27th and with Easter falling later this, slightly less chilly conditions may draw extra numbers.
Hallmark of regatta
Aside from deciding Ireland's youth champions, trials for international events as well as future high performance indicators are a hallmark of this regatta. The 420 and Laser Radial classes race from the Thursday to Sunday, all four days as part of the Youth Worlds trials while the Laser 4.7 and Topper events as well as Optimist trials will be held over three days.
The Optimist fleet event will also be the first of three trials to decide the teams for the annual World and European Championships for 2014. In a boost for the class that may well have a bearing on participation growth, the Europeans are being held on Dublin Bay this year, hosted by the Royal St George YC from July 12th to 20th.
But for the fully-crewed big boats, clubs and organisers have failed to address the annual mid-season congestion that crams what could be a paced, five-month season into barely a couple of weeks even before mid-summer. Concerns for fall-off in participation ring hollow with this missed opportunity.
The annual Irish Cruiser Racing Association National Championship will be staged at the Royal Irish YC in Dun Laoghaire from June 13th to 15th and the return to a major centre for the sport should deliver a fleet of 100 boats, possibly more.
Biennial highlight
The RIYC has also partnered with Wicklow Sailing Club for it's own biennial highlight and coming two weeks afterwards might be ideal timing to gather extra entries for the 704-mile Round Ireland Race that starts onJune 28th.
Except that this presents a choice for possible competitors who may be planning on entering the Royal Cork YC’s Cork Week that begins racing on Tuesday July 8th. The club has reduced the programme to four days though maintaining the number of races. Two-handed entries will also be accepted for the first time competing for the Sir Thomas Lipton Cup that dates to 1900.
