Here we go again. One more “sign that sailing is dying.” Key West Race Week is no more after a more than 30-year run. Must mean sailing and racing are dying, right? NO! Absolutely not. And, don’t let anyone tell you that is why KWRW will not happen in 2018.
Sailing isn’t dead. It’s not even mostly dead. It’s just different. As much as sailing is different than it was 30 years ago, Key West is 100 times more different. Just ask anyone who’s tried to buy real estate down there this year.
In 2017 regattas on the Chesapeake are seeing great participation. Here are some numbers: 230 boats competed at the Annapolis NOOD Regatta, and 100 raced at Southern Bay Race Week. Over 50 boats sailed from Annapolis to Newport in the biennial 475-mile race. New events such as the Eastport YC Boomerang Race are popping up, and others have been successfully reinvented such as PSA’s Race to Rock Hall (formerly to Queenstown).
Fleets such as the Viper 640 and the Sunfish are seeing a resurgence. There are conversations about improving handicap rules. And, SpinSheet is promoting more time on the water through our Century Club and SpinSheet Racing Team powered by Team One Newport. Doesn’t sound like sailing is dying to me!
Sure, participation was down in Key West, and the cost of putting the event on went up. Something had to give, so there isn’t a KWRW in 2018. But, there are lots of other great southern regattas to get us through the coming winter. And, hopefully someone will come up with an excellent new plan for Key West for 2019. The sailing is just too good to let it go forever!
In the meantime, as sailors, here’s what we need to do:
- GO SAILING!
- Take a non-sailing friend sailing.
- Don’t skip your favorite regattas. Participation drives sponsorship, and sponsorship covers rising costs.
- Support the businesses that support sailing:
- Thank the people who advertise in SpinSheet! Without them, you wouldn’t be reading this.
- Thank the companies that sponsor regattas. Without them, there are no regattas.
- Buy products from the companies that support SpinSheet and sponsor regattas. After all, if they don’t make a profit, they can’t support sailing. And, in the end, it’s all about sailing!
We here at SpinSheet spread the word about racing and celebrate the people and companies who make the racing possible. Help us help you. Get out there and go sailing, and when you spend money, spend it with the people who make your sailing possible!
Sailing isn’t dead. It’s not even mostly dead. And, while Key West Race Week may be taking a break, there’s plenty out there to do! Visit our calendar for regattas. ~Mary Ewenson
