Is sailing really only for the wealthy and white? That's an accusation made in a New York Times editorial at the end of the London Olympics sailing events by Bomani Jones, a sports and culture columnist and former ESPN commentator. In the editorial titled "Sailing Is a Sport Apart," Jones opens with "the last thing I want to watch is a sport where the biggest determinant of success is being rich" and goes on to argue "The name of the game is access" and "it's hard to get behind sports that are so obviously exclusive." He also points out "how overwhelmingly white the Olympic [sailing] participants are."
That observation of color is true, but does that demonstrate the sport is "exclusive"? The same day I read Jones' column, I saw in my small-town local newspaper a notice of inexpensive sailing lessons offered at the local yacht club. The cost is low enough to call this a community service rather than a profit-making enterprise - hardly "exclusive." I know also about nearby Boston's great (and relatively cheap) community sailing center. True, to become a competitor at the start of your sport you'd probably want your own sailboat, but small models such as used in the Games can be found used pretty cheap. So if it is true that sailing is a mostly "white sport," where does the fault lie? Is it perhaps due to a wide range of cultural and historical factors rather than being "exclusive" - a term that to me implies some intentionality? No doubt this involves complex issues, but I'd prefer to see suggestions for improvement rather than arguing to remove sailing from the Olympics.
Comments
I too read the “article” and dismissed it as someone attempting to attract attention as opposed to something “serious”.
As to the “color”, U.S. swimming and diving (among others at the Summer games) are mostly white, just as basketball and running (among others at the Summer games) are mostly non-white. I, like you, think this is more due to a wide range of cultural and historical factors rather than anything intentional.
The original author’s comments about women’s gymnastics showed an utter lack of understanding of the realities of that sport. It is in fact as expensive, if not more so, than sailing to participate in at the competitive levels. Personal equipment cost are comparative and club/team dues (as well as club equipment) are also comparative. For example, in gymnastics club dues/fees are $600+ per year plus team dues/fees of $1,000+ per year (the low end being such as the YMCA). Club equipment cost for gymnastics are at least that of sailing (e.g. a used floor starts at $5K for one that is barely usable and goes up fast).
I know this because both my daughters were competive gymnast. My wife and both daughters coached (or currently coach) gymnastics. My wife and order daughter are/were judges. Lastly my wife was on the Board of Directors of a gym and my oldest daughter is the purchasing agent for the gym where she coaches.
Lastly, cost of entry into sailing need not be expensive– see Puddle Ducks (www.pdracer.com).
How many white long distance runners are their .or how many black swimmers ? Its a cultural thing not a money thing .You like it you do it
Well, sailing is elitist, therefore it is attractive.
I am sailing during 60 years. Sailing is not only sport, but a way of living. It is not for reach men, it is only for elite. These two sets are not overlapping sets.
Stop bothering us with the “race, elitiist” slogans. Just try and go play street basketball in the inner city. Good luck!
I am shocked at the racial ignorance here! “Just try and go play street basketball in the inner city. Good luck!” What a racist statement! I’m white, and spent years working in the “inner city.” If you have the courage to go, you will find blacks and Latinos most welcoming and friendly! As for “culture” – do some research. You’ll find black American sailing was striped from the history books. The great clipper ship crews were a majority black, but the names of black sailors were expunged from all the records. In the1800s 1/3 of Nantucket whaler crews were black.. The British preferred black sailors over whites as they were more industrious, patient, intelligent and loyal. The Caribbean and Africa have a huge culture of black sailors. Think about it – the % of white people in U.S. population is declining rapidly. The % of people of color is rapidly approaching 50% and surpassed 50% in many states. Is sailing marketing to them? No! As a business strategy, any industry ignoring half its potential market, the most rapidly growing segment, is doomed to decline. You see few, if any, black faces at sailboat shows or in editorial and advertising in sailing magazines. I’ve heard arguments like blacks don’t want to sail or they’d be doing it. Wrong! They’ve been excluded, feel excluded and we have ignored them at our peril. If yacht racing and sailing are going to grow in the next 20 years, they must wake up and make a massive effort to get blacks and other non-whites into sailing. Yes, wake up! You can be white and exclusive no more if you wish to grow and survive. Sailing is not marketing to its entire potential market, rather only to a small, declining white segment. How stupid. Reach out, make an effort! Look at what Tiger Woods and Venus and Serena and now Gabby Douglas have done for their sports. Where is their counterpart in sailing? Even the late Roy Disney called sailing a “white-bread” sport and advocated a major push for diversity. “Been a long time comin…”
Sailing, unlike majority of other sporting acivities, requires not only muscles, but brains and courage.
Whites cannot running, blacks cannot sailing, but it does not mean that blacks are better than whites or vice-versa.
Each man should have his own style.
I learned years ago there are three basics types of people. People who whine and cry as they go through their endless list of why “it” is impossible. You have people that talk…….and talk and talk…… and you have people that DO. It sounds like a cliche but notice the people around you and take some good advice and avoid the whiners like the plague because they are eager to bring you into the fold.
About needing money for access!?? I’m from Seattle Washington, up here we have lots of boating types. When I started sailing my own Ranger 19, I was 25, I’m 65 now. Also as you might suspect, I am a person of color. Diversity of boaters never came into the picture, except where very expensive boats were the subject. Did the story mention “How White Dressage” is. Better ask Mrs. Romney. I think interest in the sport is more a defining point. Think Cool Running. That said, people who are very good at a sport will generally find a way to compete. Even a team from Africa won in the International Little League World Series. Leave “COLOR” out of Sports it not a bearer like it was in the past.
Thanks for your sharing. I also like “How Elitist Is Sailing?” for the title.