I know it was allowed in my college classes, but don't we call that renegade in canoe racing? I'm wondering how the rest of us racers and the race directors feel about paddlers who race the whole course but don't show up in the results?
Submitted by Molly on Sun, 11/22/2009 - 7:09am
This is my pet peeve, but I acknowledge that it is a big ocean out there. So don't paddle through the finish line and foul up the stats and standings. And be in good shape and up in your skills, so our chase/escort/safety boats don't have to help or tend to you, and therefore jeopardize a legit racer who may need help. Cool thing to do, if you don't want to register, is to make a donation of the race fee or partial donation, but don't expect a lunch.
#1 Sun, 11/22/2009 - 8:37am
Pay the entry fee as the organization is paying for escort boats, possibly timers and food- and trying to raise funds to support other causes such as kids programs or charitable goups. You get a posted finish time- something to gauge your performance and set your goals for improving your performance. It is a great social venue so join in and participate.
#2 Sun, 11/22/2009 - 9:03am
If you paid, you deserve to be reconized for your performance. If you did not pay.... then pay so you can be reconized.
#3 Sun, 11/22/2009 - 12:37pm
Think its called "no respect" not "renegade".
Yeah its a free ocean, but that's a feeble excuse.
#4 Sun, 11/22/2009 - 2:05pm
I agree with Jibofo. It sucks because you cannot tell someone they cant be on the race course yet they really are just to cheap ( or maybe cannot afford) to pay the entry fee so I doubt they would step up and pay a partial fee or anything of the sort.
#5 Sun, 11/22/2009 - 2:25pm
dont b to quick to judge now.
#6 Sun, 11/22/2009 - 4:46pm
Thats why I said "doubt". There are those with good intentions and those without, and we will always have both.
#7 Sun, 11/22/2009 - 5:21pm
As an athlete as well as an organizer of events in all kinds of sports including triathlons, duathlons, running races, surf contests and outrigger canoe races; bandit racing is as jibofo states, "no respect" and unjustifiable. In college you monitor classes not the final exam or mid term exam. If you want to monitor something, check in with some of your local groups and participate in one of their organized workouts or practice races. Those events can be very spirited and competitive and will give you an idea of what a race is like. Otherwise, pay the entry fee, do the event and get a feel for what it's like paddling in one.
People that organize and stage races put in a lot of time and effort to make the event happen. In this sport particularly, I doubt anyone is making a living off of putting on races. Most do it to help grow the sport, provide a service, a venue to test onself against your peers. Right now, I'm sure most organizers are getting a great deal of satisfaction from staging successful events and not much else.
Regarding bandits, I've heard all the excuses, can't afford it, want the experience etc. From the bandit standpoint, they are knowingly exploiting the situation for their own purposes and all the features a race offers. It is a huge ocean, so race day go paddle somewhere else. I find it hard to believe in this sport if you can afford a $3000+ canoe, you can't scrape together $15 to $25 for an entry fee. Bandits want the competition, the monitored race course, the timing and the real ugly perpetrators indulge in the food and beverages afterwards. Plus, they are leaching off of all the people that have paid an entry fee who's participation creates the dynamic that makes a race exciting and attractive. Unfortunately, all sports deal with bandits; selfish people that truly aren't into supporting their sport by supporting events and paying an entry fee. Bottom line, it's totally uncool and inexcusable.
#8 Mon, 11/23/2009 - 6:10am
Whoa! Harsh comments...it's not cool but does it really fall into the "ugly" category?
#9 Mon, 11/23/2009 - 6:40am
def. agree about the food intake and all that good stuff
sometimes people show up late or its their first day out and just want to train and see were they are because they arent seriuos 1 mannners. or as i heard last week just didnt have cash or a check at the moment cause they just got off work and hurried there. asked for a rain check but git denied.
#10 Mon, 11/23/2009 - 9:53am
from a race directors and racer point of view, the more the merrier and just don't get hurt let us know you ll be out there, so we don't loose you. and lets just say you'll get me when you can. I meant if it really made that big of a difference in the grand scheme of things pay me. but I would be just glad people showed up. good times
#11 Mon, 11/23/2009 - 10:06am
IMHO...
koacanoe and mulus pretty much sums it up. Just don't finish at the finish line if you don't have a number. I for one welcome more people on the course as it gives me more little mini targets for me to chase. It is a big ocean, it is a pretty common course that everybody trains in and safety boats (and the rest of us) should help anybody out there in the water regardless whether they pay race fees or not.
#12 Mon, 11/23/2009 - 10:20am
Some things to consider from the sponsors and participants point.
If something happens to a registered participant during an event that results in an insurance claim, the participant would be covered by the policy obtained by the sponsor. If they are not registered there is no proof they were an official part of the event, and no insurance coverage would be available.
If a participant is not registered in an event and something happens that results in legal action, is the sponsoring organization liable ? If an unofficial entry who was on the course is injured or lost, is the sponsoring organization responsible for that paddler?
#13 Mon, 11/23/2009 - 11:12am
nope
#14 Mon, 11/23/2009 - 11:56am
This may be harsh...but if you can't afford to pay the entry fees, better off staying at home and saving your money.
Besides the above mention things there are other concerns. Generally safety boats will consider a "bandit" as one of the racers. You may run off the line a bit, but more than likely a safety boat will probably come by and check "assuming" you are part of the race. Not cool you are using up the "race" safety boats.
It also affects the count number during the race. You start off with 100 paddlers, and then all of a sudden the safety boats are trying to figure out why the count is up to 102 or whatever...more "stress" for the race organizers.
I don't see why someone would want to "bandit" a race.......show some class and run the course on a different day.
#15 Mon, 11/23/2009 - 12:19pm
"I don’t see why someone would want to “bandit” a race…….show some class and run the course on a different day."
Races are typically on the weekends. Most people can only paddle on the weekends, and they will most likely paddle both saturday and sunday and/or multiple runs. Races are also often at the most convenient time of the day to do the run.. Starting before the race, fast guys will catch you...and you are in the middle of the race..start after the race...more then likely you'll catch up with the slow bunch...and you are in the middle of the race.
Here is where jerseys/uniforms supplied by the race organizers can be very helpful for officials to see who is racing and who isn't if that is a legitimate concern for the race organizers.
#16 Mon, 11/23/2009 - 2:25pm
Hmmmm, so add additional costs to the race because of people that don't want to pay? That seems logical.
Does not seem like it takes much planning to paddle on Sunday when there is a Saturday event, or the opposite...or how about this novel concept.....pay 20.00 and help pay for the races. If there is such a huge desire to be part of the race...take the correct step. Pay for it, or make a donation if that makes you feel better. Bandit racing is pretty funny.....can't believe paddlers actually try to justify it.
#17 Mon, 11/23/2009 - 8:24pm
I tend to agree with toko just because I think its more the rare case where people have a legitimate reason for doing like forgetting your money and they wont float you and things like that. Problem is, safety boats and jet skis wont refuse helping anyone (not that thats a problem) so if your a bandit and need help then your just totally screwing the paying folks. Either stay to the side or pony up the dough! Maybe they should start an entry class where you dont get a meal or any kind of prize or recognition in the results and charge say 1/2 price or whatever? All you get is a time. Dont know if that would even be viable. Its not really that big of a problem here on the Big Island but I have seen it done, and in a race where safety personnel was a large expense.
#18 Mon, 11/23/2009 - 9:14pm
I'd still take racing jerseys over cotton t-shirts and small lunches...never had time to stick around for the lunches or the raffles...
#19 Mon, 11/23/2009 - 10:08pm