Hi All,
Nice to replys to topic, what is needed are pages like modelers like Bluebird..... aimed at a younger modeler ......Larry..
Hi Larry, and others who are discussing the younger generation, how to get started, boat builds, costings etc, etc.
As a contributor to Model Boats magazine via the BMPRS News column I do try to include members other interests in Model Boats and not just the offshore racing element. I'm always keen to promote the younger generation joining in the fun. In fact over at BMPRS we have had a handful of 'junior' members rejoin (plus a few new one's as well) this season along with their mums and dads who have been around last season learing the trade so to speak, they are a breath of fresh air, their enthusiasm is right up there. They are being eased into the racing gently learning about how to behave safety wise in the pits and launch area's and they get to run their boats around during lunch breaks for a bit of fun and build up their confidence. This is something their parents have instigated, they want them to learn the 'proper' way and gain a bit of respect from fellow racers
I agree with the way they have gone about this, several of the parents have said they could have bought an RTR boat or cheque booked a scratch built race boat but their kids enthusiasm deserved better, so off they went and involved them in the boat build, they learn racing etiquette by watching the racing, they are quick to jump in and watch lakeside boat repairs asking numerous questions, all part of the learning process. This season is when we hope it will all come to fruition when we start to see some of the youngsters actually entering the racing in their own right, and good luck to them.
With regard to content in the magazines as a contributor I'm always open to content from anyone regarding 'boaty bits and bobs' and I do try to cover member profiles as an added sideline. In last years MB mag I also covered a basic build on an A and D class racing boat build with costings, hints and tips etc. I would love to see contributions from interested parties who would like to see photo's of their boats in print, if it's not my cup of tea then I'm sure the editor can put you in touch with a relevent contributor to get your interest published, but it really is down to communication, communication, communication, that's you communicating with us, as we don't always know what is out there. The same goes with local clubs it is up to them to entice the younger generation into the hobby, I know it's difficult these days they seem to be more interested in their lap tops and social media (or as I prefer to call it their life support machines
) than get their hands grubby and build something to be proud of but there we go ! Having said that one of our youngsters that has gone through his, dare I say it, 'apprenticeship found his photo in print and rushed it off to school to show his teachers who became very interested and asked all sorts of Q's of his parents, seems he might be getting a bit of sponsorship as well, and good luck to him, so I suppose all is not lost.
Can I just say good luck to all local clubs who are trying to encourage the younger generation into model boating but a word of warning, we have to comply with certain regulations, take a look at the BMPRS website
www.bmprs.co.uk where we have policies in place to cover the aspects of junior and vulnerable members. These are covered under our own intellectual rights so please don't nick them
, sorry about the longish reply but hey
Cheers
Scoop