On Thursday 17th May 2007 the combined clubs committee responsible for steering the Sussex Regatta held a debrief meeting to discuss the outcome of the 2007 Sussex Regatta.
All the feed back received from competitors was discussed and taken on board and will be considered for the 2008 event.
However one item was raised that was felt too weighty to be decided by those sitting on the committee.
There is a general feeling that perhaps the event should not move between the three clubs, BMYC, SYC and SHYC. Given the logistical problems that this presents, maybe it would be better to run the regatta from the same venue, but organise by a central committee comprising members from three main participating clubs?
This is where we need your help. Please will you post your views here on the forum. We will monitor and comment as appropriate. We look forward to hearing your views[/color]
bit of an unfair question, i acknowledge, but hey-ho . . .
is there any feeling among regular participants that one of the current venues has been consistently more succesful than others; or, conversely, is there any possibility that a "neutral" venue might be adopted (I can't think where!)?
Brighton Marina has the virtue of being central to the current structure of the regatta but I confess it's not my favourite place.
and has the committee considered the case for extending the regatta by including clubs like Littlehampton?
it is very decent that the question has been aired, but I suspect that this is one of those occasions when the views of them what participate should predominate
for myself, if i never have to spend another wretched Sunday beating into a westerly around Beachy Head . . .
apologies, my innate forebearance has reasserted itslf :!:
8)
Robin,
Thanks for the opportunity to provide some input - using the forum in this way is a great idea.
Is the committee intending the regatta to become a major event on the South East? If that is the direction being taken, then the logical answer is to fix the host club (and I am assuming Sovereign Harbour is seen as the venue with the best facilities). The inevitable next stage would be to try and guarantee a good turnout, so underpinning the commerciality of the event, by moving to an open format with boats coming from outside of Sussex.
This all sounds great if you are a raced-up rock star, but I wonder if we'd be missing the point? The Sussex Regatta is a great chance to not only poke around the other clubs but to experience the different racing conditions along our coast. There's also a great deal of pride when a club carries off a successful regatta and the drive to "get one over" on the other clubs must encourage house committees to spruce things up with a 'regatta spring clean'.
Then there is the effort involved in attending. Competitors from distant clubs will be discouraged, especially those with smaller boats. Taking our old J24 Juvenile Delinquent down to Sovereign Harbour from SYC was a fairly big deal, especially when you then need to arrange and pay for accommodation and then face issues about getting back safely (small day-boats and long passages don't make for a great end to a bank holiday weekend).
My fear would be the loss of grass roots support and those boats that only race when the circus comes to their own club simply wouldn't attend at all, and I think this was noticed at the last event - the SYC turnout seemed very low.
The host club also gets a significant financial and PR boost which cannot be ignored. I suspect all clubs have issues over keeping caterers and if the regatta always goes away, then they not only lose income from the event, but those competing away take their wallets as well.
All things considered my vote is to keep on rotating.
Steve Vyse
Barda
Thanks Robin... We hope that this will reveal if one venue is more appealing than another
Brighton has the obvious advantage that one can get in and out of the marina quickly and easily at almost any state of tide. Facilities are ok, though Yacht Club space is very limited.
Littlehampton boats rarely take part. The Arun Yacht Club did host the event once, but moorings are very short and getting in and out of the river is a real issue for deep draft yachts and makes timing of the event tricky. The AYC are very good at running events for dinghies, maybe we could utilise their race management skills, if it got them on board??
Thanks Steve
The financial gain is actually very small. The voluntary work involved is massif for the small gain; I think I remember having some 30 people on the gang last time it was at SYC!
Good point about local attendance when the show is in town.
Hi
My limited experience of the regatta over the last two years involves one failed attempt getting to Eastbourne in the first place (on my sonata) and this year crewing aboard Truant.
I think Steve V's comments are pretty much bang on in that the outcome of whether we should continue rotating largely revolves around how we see the event growing in years to come.
Eastbourne has my vote for a serious racing regatta given its facilities and access for boats from sussex and kent.
Whilst loyal to SYC and the Brighton area generally my vote would be to keep it in Eastbourne and accept that small boats will occasionally struggle to get there!
I hope the forum provides some useful input Robin.
Best
Ben
Steve, one more thing. I think, and I am only speaking for myself here, that at the moment we are happy to continue the event as a local derby with around 50 or so entries. Much more than that and facilities become a real issue, and need handling differently. Keep in mind 50 boats brings in excess of 300 people to the host club.
The Sussex regatta is a great event which I feel is looked forward to by a great number of people. One of the joys of it is going to other bits of water to play on. There are advantages of giving it a home but i think we would be giving away an event. I think it is great the the orginising commitee is tri-club and ideally should remain a constant but to base the event at only one venue would be a mistake the less hard core racers would be penilised for not having the regatta at their home club. As for the money the event might not show any great profit but I am sure the cateerers and the bars look forward to the event coming home.
I am aware how much effort goes into the event and the sucess of the regattas is testimount to the skills we have in the three clubs. let us keep working togerther and build on the sucessful base we have and keep the event rotating between the three bit of water and also encourage others to come and play. Possibly combine a national championship to gain some profile to this great regatta.
All,
Brief intro first - Hi, my name is Jeff Penfold, a member of SHYC, and one of the people who has been sitting on the Sussex Regatta Committee for a couple of years now. I have also been part of the joint handicapping committee for a similar period.
However, for the purposes of this forum, I'll be putting my personal opinions forward as somebody who tries to race an old 32' cruiser about from time to time.
Enough of that.
In reply to the suggestion about combining the regatta with another event. My experience with this approach (albeit with dinghy events) is that it changes the character of the event, makes the organisation of it more complex, reducing the appeal to the more "grass roots" people for whom a pure inter-club event raises some personal pride.
I suppose the question is "what do we want the regatta to be?"
For me the appeal of the Regatta has been the opportunity to visit other clubs, meet new people, have some fun and do some racing against a whole new bunch of people.
Regards,
Jeff.
As a competitor, I favour alternating the venue as it makes it a bit more interesting, and gives an opportunity for a shortish passage race on the way there.
As a BMYC member I would find it boring if it was always held in Brighton. Also, if it was to be at Eastbourne again next year me and my crew would probably think twice about going, as its harder to get to by road etc.
Variety is the spice of life............!
Having been involved when the Combined Regatta started I see no good reason for changing to a fixed venue.I share the views of others along these lines.I am of the old School "If it aint broke dont fix it"
As someone who has only taken part once, I agree with the view that its main appeal is a regular opportunity to compete against neighbouring clubs and that the rotation of venues is part of its attraction.
The regatta that I took part in was based at Shoreham and that year SYC boats predominated, but there were also several Brighton based competitors and some SHYC also.
It is probably inevitable that the host club will atttract greater participation than the most far-flung. The only time I took part on a club rally to Sovereign Harbour it was hard going struggling back in the face of strong westerlies - this in a 42 ft boat. Under those conditions I would not have wished to attempt it in a small cruising or racing yacht.
Very interesting stuff, keep it coming.
Robin,
you have certainly created the fastest-growing Topic so far! But i suspect most of the enthusiastic contributors are those who enjoy the event without the undoubted headache of organising the thing.
Is it possible for you or your colleagues to put the debate into context by elaborating on the nature of the logistical difficulties? It is obvious that this question has not been raised without some soul-searching.
robin
OK Robin. I will try:
Each venue has its advantages and disadvantages
Eastbourne: Good moorings, good access to a fine club house, slow locking, is a fair step to reach from the main body of boats in the west.
Brighton: Good access to the sea, good moorings, not so good club facilities, very central to the main body of the Sussex fleet.
Shoreham: One lock can hold whole fleet, available most states of tide, good club house facilities but a long way from moorings, mooring facilities limited, reasonably near the main body of the Sussex fleet.
Then it is a question of reinventing the wheel each time. The host club must almost start from scratch in organising the event. Paperwork is no problem, it is all the socials and admin that eats time and staff. A completely new team needs forming for each Regatta in order that we have enough committee boat crew, admin staff, publicity, socials, mark laying boats with crew and helm and so on.
At the end of the day none of this is a problem as long as competitors are prepared to accept an event that has a completely different feel each time. For example, say we keep it as it is and move the event each year, competitors shouldn't pick on an unavoidable weakness of the host club for criticism. Each venue is different and this may well add colour to the event??
Hope this helps??
I think a central organising committee is a must to ensure that lessons from previous regattas are carried forward to future events. Basing the regatta at one venue, no matter how attractive, would inevitably lead to the event going stale with the same boats turning up (and not turning up) each year. Surely the best of both worlds would be to centrally oversee the racing side of things but alternate the venue to allow each club to put their own slant on the socials.
Thanks Neil
It is becoming clear that whatever happens, the central organising committee is the key. My only concern is that this committee is robust and committed enough to plan and execute the event, year on year despite the venue.
To an extent this is what happened for Sx Reg 07. In rotation it was BMYC's turn to run the event, but it was held at SHYC. The central committee sat each month. BMYC committee members took care of on the water, SHYC handled the shore side and SYC committee members handled admin. All drawing on help from club members as appropriate.
Ok, the idea needs development, but 07 is proof that a central committee can run the Sx Reg at any of the Sussex venues
Quote from: "Robin Stevenson"Ok, the idea needs development, but 07 is proof that a central committee can run the Sx Reg at any of the Sussex venues
Surely this can't include Brighton until they get themselves a proper home?
Quote from: "SteveV"Quote from: "Robin Stevenson"Ok, the idea needs development, but 07 is proof that a central committee can run the Sx Reg at any of the Sussex venues
Surely this can't include Brighton until they get themselves a proper home?
Why? Surely the theme that is coming through here is that the main problem for Sussex Regatta has been a discontinuity of organising comittee historically consequent upon, but not inextricably linked to, the changing venue. If a standing committee - perhaps modelled on the organisation of the Royal Escape - could be achieved, the event could probably "camp" in any venue, enlisting local expertise for individual regattas.
I have to add also that one thing I have learnt this year is what an inordinate amount of time these committees can consume.
Respeck, Bro's, for them as sit on 'em!
Indeed Robin, the committee can be based anywhere.
Time is one thing that is always in short supply, committees do need a big time budget.
A club committee is (unlike a company board) trying to achieve the best result for the members. This must be done with care.
However let us not stray from the question. Do we think the Sussex Regatta should operate from one venue or move each year?
apologies if my last posting was insufficiently lucid.
my feeling was that if doing a circuit of alternative venues was presenting insuperable difficulties by preventing continuity of organisation, the event should find a fixed home.
however, if a 'nuclear' organisational structure could be evolved, functioning independently of any one location and conserving its own knowledge-base from regatta to regatta, there should be no objection to the regatta continuing to cycle (or even sail) between hosting clubs.
i trust this helps.
"'nuclear' organisational structure"!! Robin, as I have reminded you in the past...I am a lowly builder...use words I may understand! :D
Think I understand now.
Thanks for yer comments guv :wink:
for what it's worth, i lift heavy boxes for a living - very verbosely!
:wink:
i can think of no good reason to permanantly stage the sx regatta at eastborne, as stated by steve vyes those of us with small boats lacking accomodation or the ability to reach eastbourne in all weathers will be excluded.
Understood Tim, but of the idea generally what do you think? move to a different venue each year or base the event at say Brighton or Shoreham.
For you as regular competitor, what are the advantages and disadvantages of moving the event each year?
if the regatta is to have only 1 venue Brighton would seem the better option, although i would prefer shoreham but thats a slightly biased veiw.
If there was to be just one venue then on reflection Brighton would be my choice for the sailing side of things - but they would have to sort out some kind of stand in club house/bar.
Steve V
would this be a hatstand or an umbrella stand?
Quote from: "SteveV"....... but they would have to sort out some kind of stand in club house/bar.
Steve V
Presumably required for drinking purposes and race briefings. Surely a hired marquee would suffice.
Apart from that Bri Marina has wall to wall bars and eateries.
It is interesting that discussion has move slightly away from "do we want to move the event each year" to how do we over come the problem of accommodating it at Brighton.
Are we saying that the idea of basing the event at one venue has merit?
As a member of the steering committeeyou will forgive me for trying to remain neutral on this subject?
Quote from: "Robin Stevenson"It is interesting that discussion has move slightly away from "do we want to move the event each year" to how do we over come the problem of accommodating it at Brighton.
Are we saying that the idea of basing the event at one venue has merit?
As a member of the steering committeeyou will forgive me for trying to remain neutral on this subject?
I was really looking forwards to racing off Brighton this year and the arrangement moving the event to SHYC was a dissapointment (only my personal view of course). Tidal restrictions made the feeder race a no-go and as you know we bailed out of the last race to get through the Shoreham lock with a day of the holiday to spend with our families. Tidal issues are likley to always make SHYC a problem for both Shoreham and Litlehampton boats.
With the locks, lack of moorings and SYC's split location Shoreham has its own problems, so for me Brighton has to be the top choice and I certainly wouldn't bitch if it always went there - after all Brighton is our 'capital city'.
Steve V
Clearly the suggestion has merits, Robin.
The concern is that these would be outweighed by the disadvantages - primarily that the regatta to date has enjoyed entries from three disparate clubs.
Sorry to bang on with what is looking like a tired theme, but i remain convinced by everything i have read that the organisational structure is more important than the actual location.
8)
Keep banging on Robin. After all that is excactly what this forum is for
Robin,
As another small boat owner, the access benefits of rotation is a real plus, but I absolutely uderstand the organisational innefficiencies associated with that. Purely selfishly, rotation, or permenantly at Brighton would get my vote.
Jan
(Olivia Anne VI)
Thanks Jan. It is interesting that from this debate we seem to rate access to the event and the racing area so highly, socials are important but not as important as the racing itself...hmmm. I think that is a good thing.
Interesting this, as I once sailed Mojo all the way to Cork to do Cork Week, where the socials are legendary!! We are odd folk us yacht racers
We didnt do the Sussex Regatta this year as like many others out and back takes time and crew were hard to find.So OK some go to Cork for a race !?!Having been in on the initial discussions to restart this combined event from the old Sussex Offshore Racing Group I have strong views about rotating the venue.In my opinion that should remain although we are all aware how difficult it is to run from Arun.As far as SYC are concerned I take the points on locks and split locations.We have the support of the SPA and Community Transport can be arranged.Why not have more Social Events at Southwick? If only we could get on with developing more bays.It will happen one day.I hope I live to see it.Surely in the meantime La Cala could be talked into providing a Marquee-its a no before we ask.A joint Committee to ensure continuity should remain and a grateful thanks to all of them.How about seeking a major Sponsor so that once again we could enjoy fireworks-I love fireworks-at our Ball.
Robin commented:
QuoteInteresting this, as I once sailed Mojo all the way to Cork to do Cork Week, where the socials are legendary!! We are odd folk us yacht racers
It seems a perfectly rational navigational decision to me.
It did to me...until I realised the true extent of what I was doing!! Memorable though!