Cost, hassle-to-fun ratio, antiquated equipment, American
individualism....these all may have something to do
with the decline...

But skiing, windsurfing, hunting, Hobie-Catting, are
also in decline...so IMHO it just reflects where peoples
interests are/are not these days.

Most activities with steep learning curves and high
hassle factor are never going to compete with simple
to learn snowboarding, cycling, walking, etc.

And if you don't qualify as a 'cool' sport ie paragliding...then
it is even more difficult to attract participants.





At 22:30 30 December 2004, John Sinclair wrote:
I look at soaring's lack of groth from a purely economic
point of view. When I got into the sport (1970) one
could buy a competitive sailplane for about the cost
of a 4-door family car ($10,000) Now days a competitive
sailplane costs almost 5 times as much as the family
car. Little wonder we can't attract new blood.
JJ