Club rules or our others see us

V

Viking

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I was reading in 'the other mag'. (ST) in the 'riding light' Colin Jarmans column the article about 'club rules' (Jan 05). It reminded me of my first introduction to my new 'sailing club' you will note sailing NOT yacht club! over here in Norway. I was introduced to the club 'Formann' (Commadore) I presented myself... "Ah!" he said "You do realise that this is not the sort of 'yacht club' you get in England. This is a 'hands-on' SAILING club". As I tried to reassure him that I was a 'hands-on' sailor. It dawned on me the impression, infact the way others seemed to see us. 'Us' being British, alright English, yacht club members.
I'm sure we not all 'club tie, G&T and 'form' types. but it seems, its the impression we give!
 
I must admit this impression is the main reason I've never joined a yacht club in the UK. I've been into one or two over the years, some (e.g. Hardway, Gosport and the Royal Victoria, IOW) are downright friendly. But I know that's not how they are meant to be. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
if you think it's bad in the UK, try spain where yacht clubs are often the social clubs of the upper classes and anything resembling a sailor is looked at with horror.
 
Yes, I learnt about Spanish clubs the hard way. But they do handle it with style. In Bilbao we were half way back to the boat before we realised we'd actually been chucked out.

It wasn't so long ago that many British clubs were like that. Just a few still are.
 
In the USA they seem to vary from friendly in the extreme to snooty in the extreme. I've been very fortunate in the UK as I've only had one unfriendly experience, which is just as well as my sailing club does not have its own clubhouse!!!!! Went to Mobile Yacht Club (AL). Very friendly and helpful, but the 'aims and objectives' of their women's section made me giggle. I can't imagine any of our lady members complying!!!
 
stuffed shirts...

this is the antidote for a stuffed shirt image (yes, the 'clubhouse' consists of 4 shipping containers and a tarpaulin)
yachtclub.jpg
 
Re: stuffed shirts...

At the end of the day its the people that count, not the club image. If a club forgets that then its time to leave. As for Sailing or Yachting at my club there is a underlying effort to ensure that those of can't sail (/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif) and those that can have an equal input to the running and direction of the club. So far its made for a good social mix of people and activities which I believe has benefitted the club.

IMHO of course,
Jeff.
 
Re: stuffed shirts...

So you're saying that people who don't sail can influence the activities of the sailing club.

Does this mean that you have 'non marine' related activities happening at your club ?

What do the actual sailors think of this and are the non sailors related in anyway to the sailors or can Joe Public just join and have an influence ?
 
Re: stuffed shirts...

that is the bar. everyone arrives by dinghy and everyone has sailed at least 1000 miles to get there. the bling crowd who arrive by plane go to the exclusive club up the road.
 
Re: stuffed shirts...

I only mean that there are those who can sail because they have a boat with sails, and those who can't because their boats don't /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

As a result my "Yacht" club does have a varied range of activities. It does take all sorts, you know.

Regards, Jeff.
 
Re: stuffed shirts...

We english are rather good at this sort of thing in all walks of life.Take for instance a recent TV programme featuring the Thames.The swan uppers would be surely all be better served wearing a decent pair of waterproof overalls,but memory indicates that some sort of bright red military style tunic was involved.Not very sensible if all that ex west london poo was still floating around after the heavy rains of last summer.
 
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