Actually, this is a serious question. I only counted five crews from Masters on up. Seems to be an extraordinarily small amount. Just wonderin' why............
Submitted by jerryguy on Tue, 08/23/2011 - 7:30am
Actually, this is a serious question. I only counted five crews from Masters on up. Seems to be an extraordinarily small amount. Just wonderin' why............
Submitted by jerryguy on Tue, 08/23/2011 - 7:30am
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maybe its attrition.. Seems like we have a hard time even getting 6 to train consistently and to commit to a full distance season. Its real hard getting 9 or 12 older guys (geezers ?) Rules for sanctioned races that prevent crews from other clubs from combining on a per race basis makes it difficult to fill seats. Seems like whoever is registered and insured with the association should be able to join other similar crews as needed.; Would make participation more possibe.
#1 Tue, 08/23/2011 - 9:09am
As a new member of the " old geezer" club, I can tell you the best way to ensure mass participation is to have beers handed to you as you cross the finish line. Nothing like a few high fives and a clinking of bottle cheers to warm an old farts heart.
Dat, and loose some of da rules.
#2 Tue, 08/23/2011 - 10:47am
~poidog
So, are these rules recent changes? Seems like in years past there were many more older crews.
BTW, the term "geezer" is one of endearment, love and respect. I'm one too. I competed well into my 60s (graduated from Kailua H.S. in 1960), and that's why this question is significant to me.
#3 Tue, 08/23/2011 - 10:46am
Beer is a great incentive !
The way OHCRA rules work...if someone competes in a sanctioned distance race for a club they can't transfer out for the remainder of the season. I think just every mid or large sized club can field some geezer crews but each have trouble putting together a full roster of 9-12. Since so few older crews particpated I imagine there will be more at the Ayau since we will be free to mix clubs without breaking the elegibility rule.
Other then that....I don't know why there is a drop off in participation except for just plain old attrition. Auwe !
#4 Tue, 08/23/2011 - 11:28am
Reading that to mean Henry Ayau is not OHCRA-sanctioned, so club of origin not relevant for that race? Or, are you saying that since Henry Ayau race is final Oahu distance race of the year guys can trade no problem? thx.
#5 Tue, 08/23/2011 - 11:33am
The Ayau is sanctioned and I am hoping that since so few older crews combined for the Duke that there will be more coming together for the Ayau. That seems to be how it has worked in the last few years and especially since they added the 60's age classification and increased crew sizes for the 55's and 60's to 12.
#6 Tue, 08/23/2011 - 11:53am
Our club sprinkles the 50+ geezers (myself included) around in different crews based on which younger guys they can keep up with. No reason to paddle with slower geezers just cause you survived on the planet as long as them. Our geezers still race, just not all in one distance crew. None of our 60+ guys are racing distance though.
#7 Tue, 08/23/2011 - 12:03pm
Molokai Hoe Rules per the website
This race shall be open to all canoe clubs or organizations submitting an entry application
and meeting the requirements of the Molokai Hoe Committee. OHCRA Race Rules will
apply to this race unless herein modified. Merging of canoe clubs may be allowed. Each
club or organization must submit a complete entry application on an official entry form
provided by OHCRA. No entry will be accepted unless all the requirements herein are
complied with. The Molokai Hoe Committee reserves the right to accept or reject any
application.
#8 Tue, 08/23/2011 - 12:24pm
Now a days, you got to figure that some "geezers" can't make the regular late afternoon practices. They got to go babysit their great grand kids at that time, while their own kids work their 2nd or side jobs. I think if "geezers" can be accomodated between 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, after they drop off their kids kids at school, then more would participate at practice and races? Got to also figure that property taxes have tripled, electricity has doubled and now the water (sewer) bill cost more than the electricity bill, so geezers got to moonlight too, since many are on fixed incomes.
#9 Wed, 08/24/2011 - 11:01am
Yep Koa, all the more reasons we need those beers!!!!!
#10 Wed, 08/24/2011 - 12:13pm
Sometimes the geezers want to take some time off. It has to be fun and a challenge to get a good group together for the distance, and a lot of the geezers have done it so often and with success they want to take a break
#11 Wed, 08/24/2011 - 9:23pm
i'm with poidog on hoping that henry ayau race has a greater turnout, all classes. Duke entry fee went up after holding level for many years; Kailua iron also has fee increase after many years at same rate. Makes sense ->>OHCRA required greater fees from clubs hosting races. Economic times are what they are, and it is reasonable to expect lower number of entrants (geezers, non-geezer) across the OHCRA distance season. Duke Comparison suggests less a drop in geezer crews ("Masters+") than a drop in all crews:
#12 Fri, 08/26/2011 - 11:38am
I paddled on Kauai for for a few years.....I loved their distance season there. All iron..All cluubs participated.....save cost of escorts....only need 6 to fill seats. Much easier for geezers on pocket books. As far as sanctioned association races wish there were more 9 or 12 mile iron races on Oahu and also wish that the clubs would get more involved with the preseason nonsanctioned races. It seems that our only options are to do it alone. Easier with a full trailer and lots of helping hands. Regretfully we could not get a crew together for the Ayau this year....no way for Molokai. I really prefer distance to the regatta season but to paddle that seems like the best option. I hope others will get it together and be like Nappy.....always young enough to paddle hard and still have fun. The Tahitians have all their young bucks,,,,bet our geezers could beat their geezers.
#13 Sat, 08/27/2011 - 4:21pm
Tahitian "Geezers" retire gracefully from racing i believe, not sure why. Maybe Hiro can shed some light on that?
#14 Sat, 08/27/2011 - 5:24pm
They paddle with Seniors untill they are no more competitive. Also most of them don't want to enter a race if they know they can't do well...
#15 Sat, 08/27/2011 - 9:59pm
Thanks Hiro, i asked because i thought maybe there was a cultural reason.
#16 Sat, 08/27/2011 - 10:44pm
I guess Hiro answered the question put out by Jerry in the beginning and slso explained by mbsski and koacanoe...geezerdom is a good time to relax, coach and cheer on the younger guys......and when it feels right....paddle...still can.
#17 Sun, 08/28/2011 - 7:07am
Or hang around and maybe pass on a little info to the youngens. @ the WS there's elders.
#18 Sun, 08/28/2011 - 8:24pm