Chris:
Great question. I'll preface my response since we don't know each other by stating I'm in marketing, and have spent 30 years dealing with recreational markets. So, I've got a bit of time under my belt when it comes to studying participation.
When I was commodore of the Nite association, one of our objectives was to increase participation in Nite racing. I wanted to know reasons people owned a Nite, but didn't race. I phoned and/or e-mailed Nite owners from the east coast to the Dakotas.
These are just qualitative statements, but I routinely heard:
A) INFORMATION. They didn't know where or when sailing was taking place. The majority didn't even know the websites existed. (We're highly tuned-in to the sites, but most are not, especially prospective people).
B) INTIMIDATION. They didn't feel they could be competitive, and were somewhat timid to "try it" because of fear of being embarassed, being in the way, being hurt or hurting someone else. What's interesting on this point is that this is a fairly easy issue to overcome.
C) TRANSPORTATION. It sounds almost unbelievable to those of us how have our trailers figured out, but most iceboaters don't travel. They drag the boat out of a shed, set it up on their home lake and that's it. They have no concept of setting up the boat and taking it down each night.
D) BUDDY SYSTEM. If they know someone who races, the chances are much higher that they'll try it, but only on a local basis.
E) TECHNICAL INFORMATION. Our websites are full of information, but most of it is written at a level that requires prior knowledge. It can be difficult to get into the loop. Also, when multiple ideas are posted, when happens frequently, it delivers a new idea to those who are racing, but it creates confusion to the newcomer because they can't decifer which is better. The result is they do nothing.
So, to your question, the barriers for entry into the sport:
A) TRIAL. The greatest prospect is someone who currently owns an iceboat, but has never raced. When they use their boat or jump in another and have a casual, local race, they realize this is something they can do. A level down from this is a softwater racer who has never iceboated, but knows others who do. Again, trial on a local level draws interest.
B) LOCAL LEADER. If there is a local iceboat activist, the barrier of support goes away. Prospects have hundreds of questions, and the more one-on-one opportunities to look, see, touch, ask, the better. We've all experienced the situation when someone is walking through the pits while we're setting up. They're actually checking us out. When we strike up a conversation, it's like tapping a keg.
C) BOATS. Yes, boats are a barrier. But to draw a prospect into our sport, it's not as big as it seems because very few people will just plunk down $x,xxx on an iceboat just to try it. They want trial. Our national website needs an improved "for sale" area. This would help everyone. The MC scows has an excellent example of how to list used product for sale.
www.mcscow.orgD) SAILING INFORMATION. Big issue. Non-racers often said they just don't know where to find places to sail (if they were willing to travel or to check us out. Remember, to most the idea of going lake to lake is foreign). Many of our sites are dominated with in-side kidding and jiving. It may be fund for the writers, but it excludes the first time people. What we need here, in essence, is an editor. It would help if our national organization creates an area within the website that is untouchable except for ONE PERSON to post regatta information at a specific time, every time. This person also posts results at a specific time, every time. I know it's easier said than done, but it would help.
E) MONEY. This was not an issue of participation. Money works like the accelerator in your car. We make a series of decisions as to how much we'll spend (or how far we'll push the pedal). When prospects learned of the opportunity of aluminum or silver fleets, the money concern is slightly diminished, but they don't really believe it until they see it. However, the MONEY issue comes up big WITHIN THE ACTIVE PARTICIPANTS because of fear of the un-ending escallation of technology. The perception is that to race on the top end, you have to dump tons of money into constantly changing equipment. And in many ways, that's true.
SAFETY There is a perception that racing is dangerous. Minor issue, but it's there.
THE ICEBOAT STORE. The retailing of iceboats and related parts is minimal. This is a problem from an awareness angle. If I were a sailing retailer, a sail manufacturer or a boat builder, I'd develop a short presentation that introduces kids AND their adults, and then I'd get on my feet and present it to softwater sailing schools, boy scouts, junior high tech classes and science classes, yacht clubs, etc. We always have to remember that a non-participant is often unaware we even exist.
BOTTOM LINE SUGGESTIONS FOR THE YOUTH MOVEMENT
A) Increase awareness of the hull-building plans that are currently available on sites such as the Madison Opti program.
B) Possibly ask a few non-builders if they understand the plans and simplify if necessary.
C) Play down discussions of National and World Championships. It may be cool to some in the sport. For those outside the sport, it just adds to the intimidation factor.
D) Demonstrate the re-sale value.
E) If I were a sailing retailer, a sail manufacturer or a boat builder, I'd develop a short presentation that introduces kids AND their adults, and then I'd get on my feet and present it to softwater sailing schools, boy scouts, junior high tech classes and science classes, yacht clubs, etc. We always have to remember that a non-participant is often unaware we even exist.
I'd be glad to help in this area anyway I can. Call me, email me. I'll do what I can because I truly love this sport just as much as you.
