One minute we’re talking about how to politely persuade some people not to walk on a wall, the next we’re proposing permit access to the countryside, and regulation to enforce compulsory insurance and qualifications for climbing small pieces of rock. Because that’s what you’re implying is inevitable, aren’t you, Matt? I love the way it only ever takes you about ten minutes to decide the only possible outcome is some sort of apocalyptic catastrophe.Any of that is far bigger than the BMC anyway. As a lifetime resident of Cloud Cuckoo Land, it strikes me that a policy of polite but persistent education / outreach using modern methods and a well-judged voice is infinitely preferable.
Overall it is quite frankly weird that a climbing organisation wouldn't champion climbing and promote participation. What the ORG has said is they think we can do that but with a few caveats.
As has been noted by T_B and others, the Fell Runners Association stance is one that could be considered:QuoteThe EnvironmentFell running is perhaps unique amongst sports in that it does not seek to attract ever-greater numbers of participants. The reason for this policy is that we have to balance our sporting interests with the impact on the environment. The sad fact is that the hills of Britain simply will not cope with ever-increasing pounding of feet. Protecting the environment is one of our primary aims. We continually liaise with agencies and landowners over access and racing over environmentally sensitive areas. The Fell Runners Association will continue to protect your interests in these and many other matters.http://www.fellrunner.org.uk/join-the-fra.phpIf I had my chance to redo the Membership Survey now after having taken the time to think more deeply about it, and following the destruction of Whitehouses, my answers to the participation section would certainly be different!
The EnvironmentFell running is perhaps unique amongst sports in that it does not seek to attract ever-greater numbers of participants. The reason for this policy is that we have to balance our sporting interests with the impact on the environment. The sad fact is that the hills of Britain simply will not cope with ever-increasing pounding of feet. Protecting the environment is one of our primary aims. We continually liaise with agencies and landowners over access and racing over environmentally sensitive areas. The Fell Runners Association will continue to protect your interests in these and many other matters.
Recommendation 8: The BMC should responsibly encourage growth and participation in all areas of the activities that it represents, recognising the access, conservation and environmental issues that growth could causeAs per the commentary for recommendation 7, this recommendation now has the addition of access, conservation and environmental considerations. The BMC must balance the desire of its membership to encourage participation against the need to preserve finite and often fragile environments, and ensure continued access to the crags, hills and mountains ofthe UK within a landscape of increasing participation.
Taking a step back from my outrage, I don't think that increased participation is necessarily a bad thing as there are lots of crags which require more traffic. The problem is that I don't believe that the increased participation will be accompanied by an increased diversity in the crags that people visit.
I would be very interested to see a published strategy describing what measures the BMC will be implementing to increase participation, and how exactly they will be seeking to minimise the impact of this.
Quote from: Will Hunt on March 14, 2018, 11:27:39 amTaking a step back from my outrage, I don't think that increased participation is necessarily a bad thing as there are lots of crags which require more traffic. The problem is that I don't believe that the increased participation will be accompanied by an increased diversity in the crags that people visit.So your second sentence makes your first sentence redundant?
Quote from: Will Hunt on March 14, 2018, 11:27:39 amI would be very interested to see a published strategy describing what measures the BMC will be implementing to increase participation, and how exactly they will be seeking to minimise the impact of this.+1
Not entirely. I'm saying that increased participation does not have to be bad, if the effect of increased participation is matched by the spreading out of climbers' impact. This is possible.However, I don't believe it will happen. The evidence shows that people's tastes in climbing accord with whatever is in vogue at the time. Even if, in years to come, the bouldering zeitgeist is replaced by a scrittly moorland bouldering fad or a return to trad bimbling, this just moves the problem to a different place. I suppose the challenge is to make it fashionable to be a non-seiging all-rounder.
Earl. Obvs.
This is a microcosm of the wider point though; it's not where people climb on mint spring days when it's been dry for weeks, and even the infamous The Path of the Penitent Mole at Numberstones End is dry that's the issue, but where all these additional climbers will end up on days like Sunday.
Tom, an example of an association with a not dissimilar playground who are explicitly not pro participation was given above. The point I think most are trying to make is that people are getting into climbing anyway, they don’t need the BMC to be actively encouraging more people. The BMC do have a role in trying to get these new climbers into their membership so they’ve got money to pay for Shark’s Beemer (amongst other things).
It would be bizarre (understatement) if any organisation did not promote increased participation...