How many middle and back of the pack paddlers out there would want the option to have a shorter course in OC-6 Racing? One thing I have seen in our sport is the lack of options for paddlers that do not have the time or desire to train for the long distance, Or they are just not good enough athletes to compete in the longer distances. Sucessful sports need to have options, Triathlons, Running, even golf are so popular because there are options for everyone. With the exception of sprints, there are few options for paddlers that want to race in open ocean conditions at distances that are better suited for the "weekend warrior" or paddler that spends a few days a week on his OC-1, or goes out with the club but never improves.
I have seen a stigma attached to short course racing in OC-1 racing here in So Cal, that needs to stop if we want the OC-1 races to grow, I think the same is true for OC-6 racing to keep the clubs from loosing so many novice after just one year. We should be more concerned with getting paddlers on the water and keeping them there than we are about how far they race.
Submitted by OceanOhana on Mon, 08/20/2007 - 7:36am
why short change yourself. i believe you'll eventually reach this potential. you don't have to train everyday. its more quality over quantity training that'll get you better. its mainly the iron races that'll require a long hard effort on your part. the rest, just get in there with your team and help each other inside the canoe and out. these long races provide you with goals to reach for. don't give up untill you've accomplished what you set out for. think positive...
#1 Mon, 08/20/2007 - 9:10am
I am not worried about myself, I have plenty of ability to race long. I am more concerned with the majority of paddlers. Ever wonder why race day takes forever? Many times the middle and back of the pack paddlers are strugelling to finish, the next race can't start until the last one comes home, I have watched the last two years our club have an awsome novice crew winning the majority of the races, only to see one or two return. There is another issue there of course, which maybe the huge commitment it takes to paddle. For top crews it is like having a second full time job. But what if you do not want to be in the top crew, You still have to go to the open workouts, and what if you want to race and you don't want to do 18 miles, There is no place for you or you are pushed off to the weaker clubs. Why is the sport so against having shorter races for those that want them, And wh\y the stigma attached. A runner is a runner when he puts on his shoes and hits the pavment, it doesn't matter if he goes 5k, 10k or 100K. He is still a runner and there is a place for him to train and race without the negative conitations.
Two years ago when I added the three person division to the Catalina OC-1 relay we had a great response and even better last year, Why?? Simple answer, It allowed the middle of the pack paddlers the opportunity to race along side Karel, Andy, Danny, Steve etc, (OK maybe just for a minute) As a two person relay it is a tough race and not for everone. Many would never do that race if it did not have the three man division. I believe Tom BArtlett added a similar division to Kauai as well, And I am pretty sure the same result was true. Why not OC-6? Are we really that good we don't need the average paddler.
#2 Mon, 08/20/2007 - 11:57am
i agree with oceanohana. i love this sport, i'm in great shape, have no problem with the distances, but TIME is the problem. if i could, i would be on the water every day for hours, but i have small children and a husband who would like to see me. part of the charm of oc6 is the team work, comeraderie, and socializing with adults! but for people who have husbands and kids that are interested in other sports or are too young to paddle, it is very difficult to keep up with the hardcore paddlers without spouses, kids, etc. oc1 is great, but us "moms" like to be with other adults. i think there's a huge population of "middle of the pack"-ers that could really grow the sport but there's no room for them right now.
#3 Mon, 08/20/2007 - 1:20pm
Get some races organized in your area. Here on O'ahu we have the "Pre-Season Long Distance" races. They are between 5-10 miles long with a different race occuring on different weekends. These races are fundraisers for our local clubs and they are usually out of the hosting club's practice site. The reason it is called "Pre-Season" is because it is run a few months prior to the start of our Summer sprint season (regattas). The races are really fun with no changes...just a good, long, iron paddle with a great party after.
Long Distance races aren't THAT long...are they?
Mikala
#4 Mon, 08/20/2007 - 1:31pm
Keep in mind the travel for us California paddlers versus Hawaii Paddling, as well as the different formats, Here in So Cal we started racing May 12. From May 12 until catalina September 9 there are 17 Saturday's. we had races on 12 of those days. If I were to travel to each of those races I would have traveled over 1461 miles, Add a few out of town races, Molokai, Tahoe, Kona, etc, There are very few extra days to add a race, Burnout is a huge issue here in So Cal, The commitment level is very high and the expectations are that you make it to each and every practice, the boat load and unload, cleaning days, ans well as making it to every race. Try and take a "break" and you either have to deal with the backlash or what I have found most do is they never come back, We have seen the rise in OC-1 poularity, One key factor is the ability to paddle when you want, and for however long (or short) you like, My guess is that the sport is going to see a shift from the highly structured practice schedules to more of a "Team California" format, For those of you not familiar with Team Cal, It is a bunch of REALY old guys that paddle on their own on the OC-1, Then get a six man practice in when they can and race. The amazing thing is they have placed consistantly in the top three overall at most if not all of our races.
I am not saying that we all should be required to race shorter races, That would be silly, What I am suggesting is that we offer an alternative for those weekend warriors that want to be on the same water as the top paddlers and compete in the same condidtions, Just not for as long.
#5 Mon, 08/20/2007 - 2:07pm
Like mikalakayaker says, organize it! Of course then you're looking at spending way more time than if you were to just paddle the longer races. Maybe some philanthropic soul will read your pleas and do it for you...
#6 Mon, 08/20/2007 - 2:35pm
As our club rep to the SCORA assosiation, I am trying to plan it, Or at least get feedback to see what the paddlers want and if they would support another format that would be run in conjuction with the long races. Adding another six man race to the schedule is not an option, we are already running too many races. How many races do you all paddle each season? This could be another string but lets add it to this one.
#7 Mon, 08/20/2007 - 2:51pm
Here in Oz, our regattas have a short course race and long course race. The short course is aimed at novices but is not strictly limited to them (anyone can paddle), while the long course is for the more experienced paddlers. However, if you race short course, you can't back up for the long course. This way, everone is catered for.
Cheers.
#8 Mon, 08/20/2007 - 3:33pm
Chris,
All racing sports offer sprint and/or distance races on land, air or at sea. You can spend all day making comparison's between Nascar vs NHRA, Marathon running vs 100 meter dash....and each race has world-class athlete's competing against each other.
But "promotion" in a positive manner starts with you. Quote "How many middle and back of the pack paddlers out there would want the option to have a shorter course in OC-6 Racing?" It may be the truth, but I bet there's a lot of open paddlers who's might be better suited for shorter distances. We all can't be superb slow-twitch athletes.
Offer it and see what you get; eg OC6/Open Class - 5 mile. I know there's a bunch of paddlers in the NCOCA who might be interested.
Brad
#9 Tue, 08/21/2007 - 6:28am