A feminization of sailing
As the summer of 2022 draws to a close, the Glénans school is pleased with a busy season. Beyond the increasing numbers, the general manager of the association, Tom Daune, underlines the virtuous trends for gender diversity in sailing and how innovative nautical practices are making the famous sailing school evolve. "We had a record season for all activities, in light sailing and cruising. Onboard cruising represents 60% of the activity, and has been able to resume normally for this first almost normal season since the Covid. What is interesting is that the conquest of new trainees is done a lot among women and among them many juniors and teenagers. The challenge is to succeed in making them take responsibilities in the association and especially in cruising. The wingfoil, new this year, attracts a more feminine public than windsurfing or kitesurfing. The foil, which today represents 3 to 4% of the activity, leads us to question our working methods, especially on safety and the perimeters of intervention"
A desire to train boaters
The good news also comes from the recruitment of volunteers, which reflects the desire to transmit its passion for sailing. After 2 complicated years for the training courses, 2022 has seen a return to the levels near Covid, a good signal for the leader of the Glénans, confirmed by a study. "There were more than 450 level 4 instructors and more than 250 at the end of the course this year. Our survey on the social utility of the Glénans shows that 44% of trainees wish to pass on their knowledge and become instructors. And 75% of those who don't, it's because of lack of time."
Environmental expectations
The average age of a Glénans member is 33. With the evolution of mentalities and following the pandemic crisis, expectations are changing," notes Tom Daune. "The relationship to time has changed and people are less in a hurry to be on the water. They pay more attention to the organization of the course. We also have questions about the link between the environment and the boat, which is seen as a means of collective emancipation. We are questioned about the use of the boat, its deconstruction, the time we can keep it. Before, a boat lasted 10 years at Les Glénans, today we work on refits and some have exceeded that age."
The Glénans are therefore working on their offer to meet these expectations. The success of the trips to Scandinavia, by taking one's time, is an example. We are counting on the school to continue this renewal.
