It seems like the OC1 racing scene on Oahu is going backward instead of forward. With the sport growing in other parts of the islands and even the world, here on Oahu, there seems to be less of an organized association of OC1 events. I could be wrong, but that's just my perception. I know the logistics of putting on races are difficult at best and there's a lot of hard work involved, but with so many paddlers here on Oahu, I would think that there would be a stronger push to have more races with more people involved. Would it be possible for OCRA or Hui Waa to get more involved in the OC1 racing events to further the sport of paddling? Maybe OCRA and Hui Waa could have individual clubs host OC1 races just as they do regattas. That would promote more club paddlers involvement in races and the turn outs would be greater. There could even be shorter courses for the keiki to prep them for the longer races in the future. I read where they have OC1 racing events on lakes and such in other parts of the world. What about a regatta/sprint type of race every once in a while instead of just the longer ocean races? Just like the World Sprints, there could be a similar set-up except without so many events in the many different categories. It could be just OC1's and OC2's doing the same distances that the OC6's do in the regular regattas. This is just a thought to stimulate some discussion amongst paddlers.
Submitted by hawaiian_paddler on Fri, 02/23/2007 - 11:35am
I've organized sprint and distance races for OC6's and OC1's. I can say it's much more work to organize a sprint race compared to a long distance race (assuming you are running heats, semi-finals, and finals). It does make sense to have short distance or sprint races (ie. much safer) for the kids. Anyway, just a few comments from a guy who paddles on OC1 in one of the other parts of the world. :-)
Ross
Philadelphia, PA
#1 Fri, 02/23/2007 - 1:31pm
You know what the biggest problem with organizing the oc1 season? Paddlers are the most bitchy, complaining, whining, know-it-all, I need to add my 2 cents, wise ass people in the friggin world (me being one of them).
Imagine if you are organizing the races and everyone and their uncle are complaining to you, telling you how they think it should be run, and telling you whats wrong with everything you are doing. Paddlers are shooting themselves in the foot everytime they complain. They don't understand the easy fix to all the complaing and problems is not to have a season at all. Its digusting how much paddlers bitch and moan.
Ok that should rouse some conversations.
Poops
#2 Fri, 02/23/2007 - 2:07pm
Yo Poops, tell us how you really feel :)
#3 Fri, 02/23/2007 - 7:49pm
"You know what the biggest problem with organizing the oc1 season? Paddlers are the most bitchy, complaining, whining, know-it-all, I need to add my 2 cents, wise ass people in the friggin world (me being one of them).
Imagine if you are organizing the races and everyone and their uncle are complaining to you, telling you how they think it should be run, and telling you whats wrong with everything you are doing. Paddlers are shooting themselves in the foot everytime they complain. They don’t understand the easy fix to all the complaing and problems is not to have a season at all. Its digusting how much paddlers bitch and moan.
Poops"
How's it goin folks, long time listener, first time caller here.
I don't disagree, but it's useful to note that this is sadly the case pretty much everywhere, in all types of sports, motorsports racing, etc...
Got a favorite tv show? Try looking at their 'fan forums', and everyone's suddenly a qualified director or tv script writer.
#4 Sat, 02/24/2007 - 6:50am
I agree the OC-1 organization on Oahu leaves much to be desired. Manny did a great job with his 1st Pa'a race, and showed everyone that there is an alternative to Kanaka Ikaika, and their questionable and abbreviated race schedule (1st race is 15 miles??).
In my humble opinion, the time has come to take the sport to another level, and this can only be achieved by a motivated group with a unified vision. I understand and respect how difficult it is to put on a single race, much less organize a cohesive season, get permits, insurance etc., not to mention convincing sponsors to donate money, food and product to the cause.
We need a well thought out schedule of races, starting short and increasing in mileage over the course of the season, with a variety of courses and locations, keeping in mind that triangle/upwind courses are not nearly as appealing as predominantly downwind runs.
Have East side and North shore races, but start them later so the majority of urban dwellers can wake up at a decent hour.
Sponsorship and marketing are the two areas where there is the most room for improvement. Let's get local businesses to buy in to the sport, the athletes and personalities that make paddling such a vital part of living in Hawaii, and showcase our sport and the celebration of ocean athletics to the people of Hawaii and the world. Hospitality companies, restaurants, apparel companies and surf/water sport brands have a unique opportunity to tap into a great marketing opportunity if presented intelligently. There needs to be a more cohesive effort to brand paddling and paddlers in print and tv, taking a page out of the Tahitian book and showcasing our best athletes as the fit, healthy, daring and compelling stars that they are to all of us that paddle for fun or competitively.
Get a PR firm to help develop a branding strategy and work with media outlets and local businesses to showcase the sport with maximum benefit to both the paddling and business community. There is so much untapped potential, and thoughts of OC-1 or OC-6 as a future part of the Olympics are not farfetched when K-1 and surfskis are already included.
Food for thought and discussion...
#5 Sat, 02/24/2007 - 10:37am
bigjed, sounds like you have it all figured out. now just take several thousand of your own dollars to get things started and it will all work seamlessly. all we need is a really cheap, really effective PR firm. I'm sure there are complanies just waiting on the edge or their seats to throw money at a race that is held in Kaneohe or Waianae.
#6 Sat, 02/24/2007 - 6:34pm
I agree with POOOPS (about OC-1/OC-2/surfskisers), here is one of the best examples, yesterday's KALA Kukea Ironman Challenge, put together by HNCC. Low OC-1/OC-2/Surfski turn out. Fair OC-6 turn out. If you want to put together a race, you would think that the clubs good paddlers would have wanted to race, just as team building. BUT NO.. Nalu Kukea, Jordan Purdy, Kai Mowitt (Surfskiers) (HNCC members)and 2 under 18 (surfskiers) raced. 2 OC-1's and 1 OC-2 mixed. Where was the rest of the club, not to mention PAA and Kanaka Ikaika paddlers. Kala Kukea was a very beloved coach, paddler, mentor and firefighter, and it has been 12 years since his passing. Why not respect someone who gave his all for the paddling community. Where were all those people, that could have taken there time to give a nice ALOHA to a Hall of Fame paddler. I was told by the club that well Kanaka Ikaika re-arranged there schedule, NOW THERE is some respect. Clubs try to make it so that they don't interefere with others events, maybe organizations should do the same and not re-arrange the schedule. HEY 6 miles is not going to kill you.
Paddle with Strength, PONO and ALOHA
#7 Sun, 02/25/2007 - 3:17pm
bigjed, thank you thank you, you have proven my point perfectly. Perfectly. As jc9 said why don't you volunteer to run the races? Sounds like you have it all figured out.
I think we need to cut race organizers some slack here. They are doing the best they can. They may not be perfect but who is? Talk is cheap, if you think you can do better, or you have something to say, then get out there and become an organizer.
Poopsie poo
#8 Mon, 02/26/2007 - 10:03am