Sports clubs that make no effort to train novices.

[Profpointy]

My young brother went out with an older, more experienced buddy. When they surfaced, somehow the safety boat managed to miss them and they were carried away round the headland by the current, managing to swim ashore in the next bay. I hope that kind of thing can't happen nowadays but I fear it probably could if the boat skipper was incompetent.

The out of sight of the boat thing isn't related to diver experience or looking after novices. It is a risk of diving. Could be any combination of skipper error, poor conditions, sheer bad luck, even assuming the divers had inflated their safety sausage. Never happened to me, but it could happen. I take it the skipper would have driven round till they'd been found and called the coastguard if not spotted farily quickly.

 

[Electric_Andy]

I've also had similar experiences. As a 14 year-old I joined a Badminton club, I would turn up every week and pay, but would then be left out of the circle whilst they discussed who (among the "current" club) would be playing in what order at the next match. I was never invited to play, even though I was much better than some of the older members. I soon left.

My biggest gripe is football clubs. My stepson has been to 3 or 4 and at least 3 of them are quite despicable. Coaches shouting at the boys like they are in the premiership. Boys turning up each week only to be left off the team (or if they're lucky they get to play for the last 10 mins of the match if their team is winning comfortably). I know they need to be somewhat competitive, but at such a young age I do feel that enjoyment, inclusion and values are much more important than finishing top of the league.

 

[Lee_M]

Our cycling club claims to be brilliant for beginners and intermediates riders and the it is... except when fast riders turn up and go back the fast rides and leave bodies littered around the countryside as they break the group up and hammer along at the front. Sadly a lot of these riders are committee members so are blind to their own faults

 

[GrumpyGregry]

"Are you young enough, talented enough, fit enough to play for the first team?"

"Yes but I don't want to play for the first team, I want a more social level of engagement"

"Close the door on your way out"

Looks at sign saying Members Wanted on way out. Sighs. Joins another club....

 

[Globalti]

Many cockups happen when people blindly follow, assuming everybody else knows where they are going. I have had so many experiences of groups wandering around lost because nobody was taking overall charge of route finding.

 

[Runningcyclist]

I think the thing about beginners, particularly with the hill walking example is you probably have little real knowledge of what's being asked of you. If your experience of 'hill walking' is a safe walk up your clearly pathed local big hill in reasonably inclement weather then it's hard to imagine how committing and different the climb that the OP describes is. It requires a completely different skill set, and kit. How can the club expect a newcomer to know that? Surely if you've knowingly agreed to take a newcomer on such a committing climb, you as the club owe it to everyone to ensure that they know what kit is needed, that they know how to use it, and that they full understand the risks of what they're undertaking. I certainly wouldn't set off with a newcomer into the hills without making sure they had what they needed, I wouldn't put them or myself at risk. Leaving them behind, without the intention of doing so to summon help, is unconscionable. As told, I can completely agree with the OP. The blame lies with the 'club' in the form of the 2 experienced members who abandoned him and the newbie.

 

[PhilDawson8270]

I'd have thought it was 'bad form' if not downright dangerous to leave anyone to fend for themselves whilst walking in remote areas.

It feels like it should almost be criminal. After all, the effects of their actions are clear to understand.

 

[PhilDawson8270]

In the OP a 15 year old kid was left in the sea ?
That has got to be bordering on criminal ! even if he was with an experienced diver ,

Didn't see this post. I had the exact same thought, and posted before I'd finished the thread.

 

[raleighnut]

It feels like it should almost be criminal. After all, the effects of their actions are clear to understand.

I don't know about criminal after all we should all be responsible for our own safety but if I'd been left in that situation I'd have had words with the 2 that cleared off, some of which would not have been suitable for polite company.

 

[Profpointy]

In the OP a 15 year old kid was left in the sea ?
That has got to be bordering on criminal ! even if he was with an experienced diver ,

It 's not clear from. OP that the boat just f-off home leaving them them at sea - which would indeed be outrageous, or whether the got swepped out of sight resolved by swimming ashore rather than waiting to be fished out later - not ideal, but not the same situation.

 

[Profpointy]

I don't know about criminal after all we should all be responsible for our own safety but if I'd been left in that situation I'd have had words with the 2 that cleared off, some of which would not have been suitable for polite company.

I do agree with that part certainly

 

[smutchin]

you assume

Schoolboy error.

 

[snorri]

Whilst clubs may say "novices welcome", considering that most sports clubs are run by volunteers, I think few clubs will have a suitably trained and experienced volunteer on standby to take the hand of beginners through the early stages. In this modern age it would seem better to get some professional training and possibly basic certification before even approaching a club as a prospective member.

 

[Siclo]

Whilst clubs may say "novices welcome", considering that most sports clubs are run by volunteers, I think few clubs will have a suitably trained and experienced volunteer on standby to take the hand of beginners through the early stages. In this modern age it would seem better to get some professional training and possibly basic certification before even approaching a club as a prospective member.

Depends on the sport, in the case of a BSAC diving club I'd expect several individuals to be suitably qualified and experienced to deliver both practical and theory training from first steps with snorkelling through to decompression stops and what Boyle's law really means in an emergency ascent.

 

[Profpointy]

I'm not at all keen on any notion of (compulsory?) certificates before being "allowed" do something. If I choose to go for a walk in the Lake District am I really supposed to get professional training and sign off? Of course, no one is really suggesting that, but Aanoch Eagach winter travese is only a couple of steps up from Striding Edge in winter, again a couple of steps up from Striding Edge in summer which you safely, if not wisely do in the proverbial flip flops and metalica t-shirt. Take the cycling analogy - do we really want certificates before a tea-shop club outing?

On rambler might never have the nerve to do striding edge whilst another might thing Aanoch Eagach winter traverse a perfectly fine outing for their 3rd trip.

Even diving, which is hugely regulated. I strongly get the impression that the courses seem more fixated on getting signed off for something that the actual learning incomparison with than equivalent mountaineering or caving courses I've done to improve skills.and where certificates are not the thing.