Saving Sailing: The Story of Choices, Families, Time Commitments, and How We Can Create a Better Future

Everybody who is involved in sailing must read this. Weekenders, coaches, trainers, regatta sailors, club members, all who share the passion of sailing should think about the future and how to organize this on micro and macro scale. Saving Sailing gives you a start, a hand. The rest you should fill in with your family, club members and class members. It will take a lot of effort, maybe sacrifices, but it is the only way to go. Nice readable book, it will not give all the answers you want but it is the only book available that seriously handle the subject.

Recreational sailing has been on a down turn in recent years...why? "Saving Sailing: The Story of Choices, Families, Time Commitments, and How we Can Create a Better Future" uses Sailing as a model to discuss the fall of free time in America as a whole, Nicholas D. Hayes encourages readers to value free time as a source of family time and how more involved activities as a family lead to a greater unity. "Saving Sailing" is preaches the value of leisure and family, highly recommended.

This book is not just about Sailing, but is really about saving all family oriented activities. The author is a strong advocate for getting involved in activities WITH your kids, and not just being a spectator. This activity might be sailing, or it could be hunting, or camping, or sewing, or whatever else you choose it to be. Choose to learn something well, and as Hayes points out maybe it will become a pastime. Then, choose to become a mentor and share your knowledge and experiences with others. A great book and recommended read for anyone, but especially for those who find themselves constantly running from one child's activity to the next!

I'm always impressed when a new author puts 'pen to paper'(fingers to keyboard) and puts their own ideas forth in such an engaging and thoughtful read. As a sailor, I've 'met' all the people and heard all the stories Nick discusses but could never have connected all the insights and lessons into such a cohesive argument for change in every individual's and family's approach to sailing and life. Nick connects us to the value of a 'life pastime' with solid data yet told with the open heart of a passionate sailor and story teller. Dedicated sailors will enjoy the read and recognize more about the values sailing offers. However, the lessons taught can be understood and utilized by every family regardless of their personal pastime - fishing, hunting and sailing or 'other'. Certainly an enjoyable and enlightening read.

"Page by page, insight by insight, I thought Hayes wrote this book just for me and my wife. We're at the formative stages of family life with our two year old son Jack, and I really think Nick's book will help us `find our thing...and help us do it as a family.' Maybe our thing is sailing!" ---Bill Goggins