Surfski Knowledge Base

Larry Goolsby 05/06/06 #1274

This year's race was about a month later than last year's race but you couldn't tell that by the weather. Cold and windy. A good turnout with 4 double surfskis and lots of double outriggers. The winds eased up on our southern journey but drafting was still a more optimal move in order to keep a good pace. We kept bumping the back of John and Ben's double ski until they finally quit paddling until we agreed to give them a ride. Joost jumped on the tail of a double
rower while Ian McKenzie hopped a ride on Kiesling's and Turcan's K2. The K2 with Ian got an early lead after hugging the shore to get out of the wind. Once around the island, we lost sight of Ian, Joost, Don and Peter T. so we didn't know the outcome until we finished. It was raining pretty good down by the island but you really couldn't tell unless you looked at the water around you.

Shaun and I never got more than maybe 10 feet from John and Ben's double through the whole race. On the northern stretch we could hear several paddlers behind us talking about when they should make their move but we really didn't know who was drafting on us. Dean and Eric Moll were at our side for much of the downwind run and Jeff Hilburn came up just to let us know that he was there. The last mile to the finish got heated up with the other double, Dean and us going all out. The Canadian double beat us by a few seconds while Dean beat us by 1 second. Might have beat Dean but Shaun quit paddling about 50+
feet before the finish (same as last year, gotta do some shock therapy on that boy). Ian was first overall (and this was against a double rower) with Joost and the K2, John and Ben, Dean, us in next and Hilburn in behind us (unofficial because I didn't care once I crossed the finish). I looked up last year's times and most all of us had done better than last year. This was another great race and it was good to see that so many paddlers were in pretty optimal shape for this early in the spring.
Reivers Dustin 05/07/06 #1276

I wanted to first of all thank Joost and the race support team (and specially thank you Janice and Nik and Ann). This is also a good place to acknowledge SoundRowers for providing a good culture and template for races.

Here's the meat of my message: not having an awards ceremony did not bother me much. I didn't hear any grumbling about it. So I want to get this off my chest. I've tried race directing and I am terrible at it. It's a tremendous bother and any simplifications outweigh “more help”. Certain of you who direct these events with no heavy breathing at all may be tempted to offer advice (more of that “help”). For my money, keep it simple. Give us an obvious course, a clean start, and accurate results posted whenever you get a chance. That's what I want.

How about anybody else?

rd

Jeff Hegedus <jhegedus@…>05/07/06 #1280

Yeah great point. Hangin' out casual and hearing the race stories is cooler, and I agree about keeping it simple. But please don't quit bringing lots of that great nut mix, I love that stuff; and I hope Michael never gets tired of taking lots of pictures, he does an awesome job.

David Scherrer 05/08/06 #1283

All very good, but Sus really wanted her blue ribbon…………..

David S.

Michael Lampi 05/11/06 #1292

I know several folks who were bummed by not having the awards ceremony but were willing to accept the fact there wasn't one.

The ribbons, boat numbers, etc., weren't there because no one made arrangements to get them from Steve Wells who stores them at his unit in Gig Harbor.

For future reference, I am making weekly trips to Beaverton, OR on Mondays from Bellevue, WA, returning on Fridays, and am planning on attending most if not all SR races. If someone wants me to pick up or deliver something to Steve, I probably can do it.

–Michael Lampi

P.S. Thanks for the kudos re: photos. It was hard to keep the lens

 dry when all I had was a wet handkerchief.

Joost Zeegers <flypaddle@…>05/11/06 #1293
Hey gang,

Just for the sake of discussion, had we handed out ribbons, we would have given away 29 total. Of those, 16-blue(1st), 8-red(2nd), and 5- white(3rd). From the 1st place ribbons, 10 of them were the only boat in their class!! Which begs the question, what is the relevance of ribbons? I realize that ribbons have a different significance to different people, and I can understand after doing well after a hard fought battle with other participants, then getting a ribbon could
have some meaning. But if the majority of the 1st place ribbons go to participants where they're the only boat in their respective class, how could that ribbon possibly have any meaning? Maybe if we handed out a participation ribbon to all finishing participants such as what is done in a lot of running marathon races, that might be a solution.

After the race, I talked to a large variety of participants, and asked them if I should send ribbons afterwards. With no exception, everyone that I asked could care less, and told me not to worry about it. I'm proposing for next year that instead of ribbons, to offer monetary funds for all top three participants in each class. There is a catch however, to qualify for a “class”, there has to be a minimum of five boats, or no money will be awarded to that group. If for example, only three women HPK paddlers show up, they can still qualify for money, but there class would be mixed in the a HPK class consisting of both men and women. With the same example, if five women HPK paddlers showed up, then they would be considered their own class, and potentially have a greater chance for a money prize. The amount of money prises would be based on the amount collected at registration.

What do you guy's think?

Joost

mike Gregory <falloff999@…>05/11/06 #1294

Money, sounds good! Strong motivator. A winning idea Joost!!! Thanks, Mike G.

Brad Clements <dexifabo@…>05/11/06 #1295

Joost,

Whether it is money, ribbons or prizes donated by local business, I like your idea of qualifying a class before there are official results for the class.

Brad

Morris Arthur <marthur@…>05/11/06 #1296

Hmmm, Debbie and I in the tandem would get less blue ribbons—and probably not much money.

However, I too like the idea of “official” (broader) classes, even if they are defined just before the race.

That way, all of us only-boat-in-their-class folks can focus on something besides overall results.

The trick would be to pre-define what classes would be “opened up” when a particular class doesn't have enough participants.

Joost's example of women HPKers moving to a “mixed” HPK class is an easy example….

Instead, what if Joost is the only one in a K-1? Do we let him into the HPK class? … or do we put him with the 2X rowing shells (where he likes to hang out anyway :)

Just considering the possibilities,

Morris

dexifabo@… 05/11/06 9:37 AM »>

Joost,

Whether it is money, ribbons or prizes donated by local business, I like your idea of qualifying a class before there are official results for the class.

Brad

Reivers Dustin 05/11/06 #1297

Wow, this post lit up the servers.

If I recall, this was a hot button for SR years ago. The problem then was, for most of us we could just give some of our race fee directly to those elite paddlers who show up. I can count first place finishes on the thumbs of both feet. Don't let this kill the idea though. It's worth a good look, especially now that there really is a good mass of competitors for almost every race.

A related question is: what should happen with race fees? (Jeff Hedge wants gorp!)

Somebody ought to light this fuse over on the SR group site, (Micheal L., Steve B?) I think Joost just likes to make turbulence.

rd

Michael Hammer <michaelhammer62@…>05/11/06 #1298

Greetings,

In my experience swag generates the most interest from people. In mountain bike racing, it is not the ribbon or medal, but the new set of tires, chain lube, or Kona beanie that people get excited about.

Remember last years San Juan challenge? Those tables set up prior to race with all the great swag laid out for people to ponder generated interest.

In addition, swag is open to everone that participates in a race. So even the weekend warrior that gives boating a try can “win” something.

Mike

susanbennerstrom <susanbennerstrom@…>05/11/06 #1300

Hey guys

David was just kidding! I don't need or want blue ribbons, or ribbons of any color (well, maybe I do, but that's my own problem). They're fun to get, but totally beside the point. Besides, being the only boat in a class shouldn't qualify as “placing” – it's sort of like ALL the kids on the soccer team getting trophies.

We're in it for the fun, right?
Susan B
PS – Michael Lampi, thanks again for the great photos!

Tim 05/11/06 #1301

I prefer the swag option more than money.. Most of the kayaking (ww) events I go to have small prizes for the top 3 (mugs and such) but then a raffle for the rest of us average people who will never place in the top three but enjoy going to the races. I still enjoy the pint glass or mugs with the event inscripted on it years after the event..

Plus I have always enjoyed winning stuff from a drawing, which helps me enjoy the sport more..

I do agree with the minimum amount of particpates per class..

(Is there a slow HPK class?) ;^)

Tim