Eastern Promise
by Mark Jardine 14 Oct 12:00 PDT
Traveling worldwide to observe sailing practices is enlightening, and my recent visit to China for the Shuifu Jinshajiang River Regatta was among the most fascinating events I’ve ever experienced.
Exploring an unfamiliar country and immersing myself in a culture that feels both distinct and surprisingly familiar, while witnessing the sport’s evolution within a massive population over a sprawling geography, was truly mind-blowing.
The event occurred on the Jinshajiang River near Yibin, above a large hydroelectric dam, resulting in a slow current. The area features hilly landscapes, with trees cascading from the shores to the mountain peaks, providing a breathtaking scene.
Competitors included adults, university students, youths, and children, racing a fleet of four FarEast 28 yachts and thirty FD Future dinghies. The dinghy fleet comprised singlehanded and doublehanded teams from various clubs and colleges.
Some participants had only begun sailing a few weeks prior, yet it was remarkable to see how swiftly they grasped the basics and eagerly participated in races. The more seasoned sailors started employing tactical strategies, while the most adept began mastering the wind’s nuances, which were inevitably shifty and gusty due to the high hills surrounding the river.
Observing Captain Wei, who completed the first circumnavigation of the globe with a modern Chinese-flagged yacht in 2012, teaching children from his boat was truly inspirational. He is passing down his expertise to the next generation, and the children clearly admire him, enjoying his teaching style. Similar to a coached fleet at an event in the UK, he circulates, offering tips as needed, like adjusting the mainsail trim or using the tiller less to steer.
Parent-child teams competed as well, with children as young as six gaining their first experiences on the water. Some communicated with their parents via walkie-talkies from another boat, providing reassurance of their presence if needed.
The younger sailors were visibly enjoying themselves and eager for more. During lunch, we discussed how to identify the wind using chopsticks and bowls for demonstration, and they listened intently while scanning the water for signs of breeze in the afternoon.
Mr. Wang Lukun, the Race Officer who participated in the 2019 Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, was clearly passionate about promoting sailing in China, eager to impart his knowledge to the next generation of sailors. Setting courses in light winds presented challenges, yet he made the most of favorable conditions to maximize sailing time.
An event like this requires significant effort, and behind every emerging regatta is a dedicated individual who transforms ideas into reality. Mr. Deng XinQiang rallied a team to bring the Shuifu Jinshajiang River Regatta to fruition, already discussing plans for advancing it in 2025. He is an amiable man who effectively gets things done. With a strong commercial background, his skills were crucial in bringing everything together.
China as a whole, alongside the CYA (China Yachting Association), is emphasizing youth sports, making events like this financially and logistically supported by the government. This was exemplified by Shi Huasong, the Communist Party Secretary of Shuifu City, attending the launch ceremony and declaring it open.
Mr. Liu, Vice President and Secretary General at the CYA, outlined a growth strategy for sailing, aiming to engage one million children and youth in competition over the coming years. He noted this number is modest compared to tennis, which has surged from nearly nothing to 20 million active participants in the country, yet it remains impressive on a global scale.
To ensure best practices, Mr. Liu recently visited the RYA (Royal Yachting Association) in Hamble, UK, to understand their training courses. The CYA has adopted the RYA Dinghy Level 1 to 5 scheme for training junior and youth sailors and has quickly established 30 training centers nationwide.
The FD Future, increasingly popular in the country, is an ideal dinghy for helping sailors learn. Its hull design is easily driven, stable, and capable of planing in breezy conditions. Constructed from a three-layer PE sandwich, it’s durable and can be sailed by one or two people, occasionally accommodating three with younger kids onboard. The boat drains easily, avoiding water accumulation on the deck and is simple to right after capsizing.
The rig is unstayed and intentionally straightforward, making it easy for newcomers to understand while minimizing maintenance. With the mast positioned relatively far forward, ample space is available, and it can be sailed with just the mainsail or supplemented with a jib and/or spinnaker.
While the standard mainsail lacks battens, there is a ‘Future X’ version with a larger 6m2 fully-battened sail.
Wang Zongping, Dean of the Sports School at Yunnan University, recognizes sailing’s advantages for his students. He noted that sailors possess an adventurous spirit and a desire to travel. As we know, sailing allows access to incredible places, and he quickly acknowledged how the sport can provide opportunities and broaden individuals’ horizons.
Although there are sailing and yacht clubs in China, few possess the membership structures familiar in the West. They generally serve as both event centers and boat rental organizations. As the sport expands, transitioning towards a traditional membership club model will be essential to foster sailing communities and promote generational engagement, inviting more locals to participate.
With Western clubs increasingly adopting boat hire schemes, it seems that sailing organizations globally are striving to find a balanced approach to membership, privately owned boats, club-owned vessels, and maintaining a volunteer/commercial equilibrium, often approaching these challenges from different directions.
Ceremony and tradition hold great significance in China, and the prize-giving was spectacular, celebrating winners and then inviting all competitors on stage to receive medals to remember the event. Copies of David Houghton and Fiona Campbell’s “Wind Strategy” book were distributed, which seemed particularly fitting at an event focused on identifying gusts and shifts.
I was deeply touched by my brief visit, witnessing enthusiastic and friendly sailors sharing their knowledge with a new generation who previously lacked opportunities to sail. Tracking the development of this sport and visiting regions where sailing is more established will be fascinating in the coming years. The potential for sailing’s expansion in the East is immense.
Mark Jardine
Managing Editor, Sail-World.com and YachtsandYachting.com
