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Re: Age in the killie hobby
Hi,
I think there are a fair number of under 40 killie keepers, but there
are the usual practical considerations that keep them out of the
organized, expensive hobby.
I'm 41, and have been a killie addict since I was 32, after wanting
killies (but not seeing any) for 20 years. I participate on the list,
attend occasional club meetings when UNYKA or the AKA wander close to
the eastern Canadian border, and think about conventions. I've only
attended one (Syracuse) and loved it.
I noticed some things. Most of the people of hair colour I spoke to
there had driven short distances to the convention. Most of the people
(generally men) who had travelled distances seemed closer to retirement
age.
For me, with two children under 5 at the time, a 4 hour drive was
do-able with some organization, as was an overnighter at the hotel. I
could never do that regularly - what parent could? I take care of the
fish in the evening after the kids are asleep, but when the kids are
awake and I'm not at work, even Tampa Bay can't be a priority. With 2
local aquarium clubs, offering 20 possible meetings per year within 10
km of my house, I was able to attend three meetings last year, and I was
the speaker at two of them.
Just look at the number of 'breeding age' people who get great pleasure
from killie-keeping, but drop out because their responsibilities squeeze
their hobby time out. I see a lot of under forties in the local clubs,
but, fishkeepers seem to often be kid-keepers too. When the kids grow, I
think these people (and hopefully their kids) will be at conventions,
etc, but until then, they are likely to be names on a list like this
that no one can put faces to, because they can't travel to the events.
It doesn't mean they aren't out there.
Gary
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