Second attempt - reformatted as a .txt file and pasted :
A few comments and suggestions in no particular order:
The Club is a very useful resource that was started in response to a lack of support for cruising hovercraft, or to be precise, for operators who didn’t want to be involved in competition. It was very active and campaigned for our rights at Weston and Langstone. There were regular hover-ins that were actively promoted and involved advice, help and training. These were a great place for people to get together and form local friendship groups, leading to further activity.
However local activity seems to have reduced and we have lost the initial enthusiasm and drive. I would go as far as to ask if we have lost our way and are more a group of isolated individuals who correspond electronically and operate home built long distance cruising craft. The web based side is excellent but we seem to have contracted into a few local areas with a smaller number of more experienced operators while the less dedicated enthusiasts have fallen away. This is a normal part of the growth cycle of a club, but post Covid do we need to rekindle the occasional users interest in our hobby as that is where most members sit ? The old 80/20 rule.
Cruising isn’t just about long distance trips. The origin of the club was that it was for people who didn’t want to race. Are we putting operators off by promoting a type of activity that many don’t want to undertake or feel confident about? My idea of a cruise is an hour up the coast, a cuppa and a potter home again in time for tea and sticky buns, not a 50 mile endurance test. Some people are happy with a 100 mile run but many want a shorter and less intense form of operation – just going out with others for a short trip and a chat on the beach.
It would be good to see more promotion of local meets. I tried to run events in the Bristol Area but there has been no take up and it seems that the Severn/Bristol Channel area has gone under the club radar. It may be there are no hovercraft about these days but we used to get a good response to events promoted by the club - remember the regular Sharpness event – that was brilliant – I organised the Avon run that was rammed with craft and the Run to the Wrecks. We also pioneered the Permit Launching Scheme at Weston. There is just one craft registered now. Where have they all gone? Is this the way the club has developed or are hovercraft no longer the attraction they once were? Are we neglecting a major aspect of our sport?
For many members attendance at an event means long distance travel and then accommodation. Aside from the cost of fuel, that isn’t practical unless you have a motor home or a secure place to park the craft and local accommodation. Camping isn’t for everyone, especially as you get older, so perhaps regional events are a way forward.
For some of us, a major but hidden disincentive of going to a new event in an unknown location is the potential hassle of finding somewhere to park a big trailer and tow car with the parking restrictions that seem to exist in any waterside location.
It is supposed to be a hobby and wondering if you will get a parking ticket and unload/load safely spoils it for me. I appreciate that it is difficult to find suitable places but I have noticed that when good parking, storage and launching is part of the event and clearly detailed, more craft seem to take part.
I would like to see club resources and promotion of new events outside the current core areas, promotion of the sport and charity activities to raise the profile. This will promote interest in the craft and get people involved. Raising money for a charity usually gets publicity and seems to make people more inclined to join in. It also opens doors for launching, hospitality and even escort boats – and benefits the chosen organisation !
Are we offering any training these days ? We used to hold the occasional day near Bristol and it brought people together and was great fun. It also promoted safer operation, we had the RNLI man in to give advice and we then did a training run to qualify new pilots at Sharpness. There was little interest last time it was suggested but if the idea was promoted by the Club as a formal event and some added activities included, it might be different ?
A few suggestions:
Active promotion and organisation of local cruising events – encourage, advise and support members who attempt something in their area.
Training days. We had a superb training programme run by Ian.
Attendance at local shows ( static or demonstration ).
Involvement in water safety events.
Publicity activities, charity runs etc.
High profile charity events – how about a round Britain relay … possibly suicidal but it would be a first !
New stickers and promotional stuff as part of the membership package.
BUT … you can’t expect individual members to arrange events without encouragement and enthusiasm from the top. Creating an event is a daunting and complicated job and must be a top down process with active support and encouragement, even if local members do much of the work. Support from a national organisation greatly helps and opens doors otherwise closed to individuals. I am sure that if members are encouraged to suggest and help arrange local events with advice and assistance provided by the club, then activity will increase.