It's more a case of turning up the heat than coming in from the cold for Irish windsurfers ahead of the start of the national calendar. Largely independent of the Irish Sailing Association (ISA) for years, the Irish Windsurfing Association (IWA) has become a category one affiliated body to the national authority and has embarked on a progressive plan to develop the sport.
To more organised groups, windsurfing has always held a minority status with activities perceived to be limited to schools and adventure centres or for many, a holiday activity enjoyed in sunnier climes. With a membership of less than 100 sailors, such a status might appear justified.
But this year, following a period of reorganisation, the IWA is tackling many of the issues at the core of the sport with membership and participation growth a priority. Harry Hermon, the ISA's full-time club development officer is providing assistance and guidance to the IWA in developing a three-year plan as part of the ISA's own five-year strategy, Sailing - the Lifelong Sport.
According to IWA president, Caroline O'Hara, making membership a priority for windsurfers is the key to development. "We have moved on in leaps and bounds over the past year," she said. "We're heading for a more encompassing organisation that has been solely concerned with racing in the past. There'll be more emphasis on youth training and WOWI (Women of Windsurfing Ireland)."
The nature of windsurfers lies at the heart of why membership figures are so low says Hermon. "Windsurfers have a totally different approach than sailors. They don't focus on club venues but more on whatever beach has the best cross-winds on the day." Improving communications between windsurfers is key to the success of the plan.
Email groups and the internet will be the foundation of the communication plan but the task of properly uniting the widely strewn enthusiasts is the real challenge. For the year ahead, 70 members have signed up out of an initial contact list of 400 active windsurfers.
The IWA membership package for the year has been priced at £20 (£10 for children and students) and combines ISA affiliated membership, competition insurance with an extensive trade discount scheme. The latter should effectively mean free membership according to O'Hara.
Working with the ISA has opened up a range of services, apart from the professional support of Hermon. An application for funding has been made to the Irish Sports Council that should boost funds by £5,000 this year.
In the meantime, the wave sailing discipline that featured at the Professional Windsurfing Tour event in Kerry last autumn, is to be added to the IWA programme for this season. A training event is to be staged in Belmullet next weekend and full details of all fixtures for 2001 can be found on the IWA's website: www.windsurfireland.com.
