Rob B
Well-Known Member
Will Laser skippers have to be US Sailing members for Laser events in the US?
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Will Laser skippers have to be US Sailing members for Laser events in the US?
Will Laser skippers have to be US Sailing members for Laser events in the US?
I tried to read up on this before posting, but there is a lot of vague information floating around the web. From what I gather, the intent is to require membership at major regattas like national champsionships but not weekend races at local clubs. I'm not sure where a district-level Laser regatta would fall.
I failed to find anything on how this would be enforced. I guess regatta organizers would have to deny entry to those who cannot provide proof of US Sailing membership. When running a regatta, there is enough stuff to worry about - collecting entry fees, finding a qualified race comittee, organizing meals. To now have to enforce mandatory membership in US Sailing would be an added burden.
I could see a few gung-ho clubs trying to enforce mandatory US Sailing membership to race in their regattas. After one or two instances of people throwing a fit over it, I predict they would quickly drop the matter.
I fail to see how this would encourage more people to attend races. If strictly enforced, I think it would tend to decrease the number of people racing.
There are two questions here, the one you have above and the one in the title. The answer to the one above is that unless US Sailing changes their policy then, as I understand it, if you race anything (and live in the US) then you need to be a member of US Sailing.
The answer to your title (or, at least, what I think you mean): it is not our business to collect their membership dues.
Having said that, I do believe that if you live in the US and race sailboats then you ought to: 1) be a member of the club where you do most of your racing, 2) be a member of the class organizations of the boats you race, 3) be a member of US Sailing. Membership supports the organizations that provide the infrastructure that allow you to have your fun.
I agree with Fred's "Litmus Test". I'm not currently a member of US Sailing because the only support I ever get from them is the RRS (and I'm happy to pay for my copy of those). Were I sailing in a regatta that US Sailing organized, or was a major supporter of, I would have no issue with becoming a member.Did the "governing body" help in the scheduling and promotion of the event?
This is exactly right. Why make it harder and more expensive for someone to get started in sailboat racing? Maybe they could give new racers a free one-year membership that gives no benefits except allowing people to race.We have a hard enough time trying to attract new folk to sailboat racing already. This will just make it worse.
Our local club lists all their weekends as "regattas" so the race committee can get regatta credit to keep their credentials current. This new requirement would make most anyone "on the fence" about trying to race say "no thanks". Sounds counterproductive to me.
I've been a member for a while now and have recently taken a U.S.Sailing course for certification as well. It was great because the instructor was great, although not all their instructors are all that great.
However, if I had been required to join prior to my first regatta, I would never have sailed my first regatta. At the local level, we are already struggling enough trying to get new folk.