Fitted dinghy heritage at risk as sport struggles
FITTED dinghy racing, an endemic part of Bermuda's heritage, is today falling by the wayside, some sailors believe. And it is hoped that a fundraiser, to be held in support of the Bermuda Fitted Dinghy Association next week, will revive interest in the island's age-old sport.
"We are trying to revive interest in the fitted dinghy class," said Kees Van Beelen, a former crew member of the fitted dinghy Contest, which sails out of the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club (RBYC). "It's the only endemic Bermudian sport. The rules are unique to the class and the boats, their measurements - everything is totally unique to Bermuda. Every good sailor on the island, the Who's Who of sailing in Bermuda, has sailed in these boats. And so we're having a party to raise funds for some of the other syndicates who are struggling a bit as they are rather expensive boats to maintain but the idea behind it all is to get people together - old sailors, supportors, people in general - to have a good time and celebrate the dinghy class."
Mr. Van Beelen said the problem was caused by a lack of funding, a lack of people interested in taking on the responsibilty of racing and maintaining the boats and an apparant lack of interest by members of the public.
"(Premier) Jennifer Smith, at a prize giving during International Race Week, said that Government was fully behind sailing in Bermuda because it's such an important part of our heritage. Perhaps by making people more aware of our heritage they might want to get involved.
"At the moment, if you look around the class, you see the same faces all the time. We need people to come along and essentially take over and sail the boats but it's a real stuggle. You don't see as many people out watching as you once used to, outside of May 24 and the Queen's Birthday in June.
"In general, there doesn't seem to be much interest in it. People forget that it is an important part of our heritage with the sea, that it all started when people used to race boats out to the sea to go fishing. The Jubilee Cup, a regular match between the Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club and the St. George's Dinghy Club, is the second oldest sailing trophy in the world, so you can see the history behind (the class). It's older than the America's Cup.
"A lot of the problem is due to not getting support. We have to get people interested in the class, and sailors in particular to come out and race. People forget that it is a competition. There was once a lot of club pride, a lot of parish pride and now it looks as if it's all sort of slipping away and we have to try and maintain that important part of our culture."
According to Mr. Van Beelen, it is hoped that a cowboy night, planned for next Saturday at the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club will revive some interest and raise some funds to support suffering syndicates.
"Hugh Watlington organised one ten years ago and it was a huge success. This is the first time in two or three years we've had an event like this and it's partially to raise awareness, partially to inject some money into the class and partially just to have fun."
He added that there are a group of talented young sailors in Bermuda, but many are too young to take on the responsibility required of a skipper.
"We have a whole group of young sailors in the Opti-class which is run out of the (RBYC) - 10 and 20 year olds - and even in Somerset, there's a whole bunch who are really good sailors but they're too young to get into it because of the responsibility and the committment involved but part of the idea behind (the fundraiser) is to get people involved who may not know there's a need. If there are people who are interested in sailing, they should find out who the skipper is in each club and get in touch with him.
"Crew work is essential, so people should realise there is a need for lots of practice. They must be very committed. Even if you can't sail, but you are willing to learn, to practice and commit the necessary time, you should call. At the moment we're struggling to fill the places on the boats. "
Another former fitted dinghy racer, Hugh Watlington, agreed with Mr. Van Beelen, but said he believed the sport was going through a bad phase.
"Some clubs have problems raising money to keep the boats in top-notch condition. A few of the clubs are not in great shape but I think we're just at the bottom of a phase. We're trying to get young people involved but in a few years, as little as one will have young sailors ready to start taking over the boats. Two, Challenger and Echo really don't have anybody who is really keen to take on either boat on a full-time basis and they need back-up from past skippers and crew."
Mr. Watlington said that the Junior Sailing Programme, the East End Mini Yacht Club, the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club and the Government sailing programme at White's Island were all producing excellent sailors who, at some point, could be approached.
"(Former sailors) including myself, are now getting into other things in life as we get older. We don't have the time to dedicate to racing that we once had and in the interim period, nobody is taking on certain boats and raising crew and making sure they practice."
"The St. George's Dinghy Club, the RBYC and the Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club are the three mainstays at the moment. Eventually the interest will come back I'm sure of it but it's a bit of a shame on a race day to only see three boats out there. We're just at one of the low points right now.
"Hopefully we will raise some funds at the Cowboy Night at the RBYC. We'll have the Kennel Boys and a hollering contest and a swearing contest where you can't actually (use foul language). We're also going to have a jail you can pay and stick people in. It should be fun."
The Cowboy Night at the RBYC begins at 7 p.m. on May 18. Tickets are $50 and include dinner and entertainment by the Kennel Boys.