billmcinnis
Member
There has been quite a bit of discussion in the forum on the cost of attending the Worlds and the effect on attendance. I think there’s more to it than just the Worlds. I think the cost of attending all of the major events is keeping the attendance down. I live in Massachusetts and I attend about 10 regattas each year in the northeast, some one-day, some two-day. They cost me about $1,500 and put about 4000 miles on my car.
In addition, my wife and I went to the 2006 and 2007 Midwinter/International Masters events. The total cost, including gas, tolls, entries, and the cheap hotels was over $3,000 each year. This also puts over 3,000 additional miles on my car each year.
I considered going to the Worlds, NAs, and Masters this year. However, I’m skipping all three (last year as well). If I went to them (without wife) my costs, mileage, and cost per day of racing for the major events would be as below:
Mid-winters/Masters $3,000 3,200 miles $500 per day
Masters $1,400 3,500 miles $700 per day
North Americans $1,800 3,000 miles $450 per day
Worlds $1,700 600 miles $400 per day
These estimates are barebones but they still total $7,900 and over 10,000 miles of driving, just for the majors. The average cost is about $500 for each day of racing. I can afford it, but, sailing a Sunfish isn’t worth all the time, effort, and $500 per day of racing.
For us in the northeast, a significant part of the high cost and time required is the fact that, over the last three years, almost 80% of these regattas have been held in the south, which requires extra driving, hotels, and meals.
My purpose in writing this isn’t to complain or criticize. I just think it should be recognized that, when looking at the big picture, the time required and cost of attending the major regattas is significant. I also think that, unless something can be done to improve the situation, attendance will continue to decline.
In addition, my wife and I went to the 2006 and 2007 Midwinter/International Masters events. The total cost, including gas, tolls, entries, and the cheap hotels was over $3,000 each year. This also puts over 3,000 additional miles on my car each year.
I considered going to the Worlds, NAs, and Masters this year. However, I’m skipping all three (last year as well). If I went to them (without wife) my costs, mileage, and cost per day of racing for the major events would be as below:
Mid-winters/Masters $3,000 3,200 miles $500 per day
Masters $1,400 3,500 miles $700 per day
North Americans $1,800 3,000 miles $450 per day
Worlds $1,700 600 miles $400 per day
These estimates are barebones but they still total $7,900 and over 10,000 miles of driving, just for the majors. The average cost is about $500 for each day of racing. I can afford it, but, sailing a Sunfish isn’t worth all the time, effort, and $500 per day of racing.
For us in the northeast, a significant part of the high cost and time required is the fact that, over the last three years, almost 80% of these regattas have been held in the south, which requires extra driving, hotels, and meals.
My purpose in writing this isn’t to complain or criticize. I just think it should be recognized that, when looking at the big picture, the time required and cost of attending the major regattas is significant. I also think that, unless something can be done to improve the situation, attendance will continue to decline.