SEILmagasinet · video

What this video covers

Per Christian Bordal, secretary general of Norges Seilforbund, outlines the federation's strategy for growing Norwegian sailing beyond its current 22,000 members across roughly 110 clubs.4:04 The central problem he identifies: clubs recruit almost exclusively the children of existing sailors, not their classmates or peers.10:50 He calls for a recruitment campaign — something resembling the old-fashioned membership drives he says have disappeared — with a goal of doubling weekly active club users.11:23 Funding constraints shape the federation's work; money from Olympiatoppen targets elite sport, while broader recreational sailing relies on tipping-fund distributions and a newer membership in Norsk friluftsliv.9:21 The junior league and ungdomsliga formats are credited with retaining sailors through university and feeding classes like Melges 24.14:49 Bordal traces his own path from Optimist through Europe to the Laser (now ILCA) during the strong Norwegian dinghy generation of the late 1980s and early 1990s, then into coaching, running the sailing line at Horten videregående skole, corporate sailing events, boat importing (Italian Grand Soleil yachts), and finally the federation.20:06 He argues the federation's elite program is in good shape and that membership growth in clubs — not Olympic medals — is the priority measure for the years ahead.22:59

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