Race organization/ what can we expect ?
safety? but you can count on a t-shirt and lunch.
Ok in any given island one man race you can expect what ? 4-5 escort boats and that seems to be an acceptable amount. We won't question that. OK but these 4-5 escort boats cover sometimes over a hundred one-manner. Imagine if 10 got into trouble? You are not safe at all. On the ocean, safety is an illusion, count only on yourself, hope others will help.
#5 Sun, 02/24/2008 - 8:35pm
Hmmm. Why did this subject come up now? Did someone do today's race?
I've heard from a couple different people they were none too happy with how it went. Not sure what happened exactly, but there were some bummed out paddlers.
#7 Sun, 02/24/2008 - 10:09pm
Having put on cycling races for many years, I think that first and foremost competitors want a race that starts on time and has the results up promptly.
Beyond that, people want to feel that they are getting value for their money. That means, food, t-shirts, good distribution of prizes, etc. unless the entry fee is truely minimal.
Safety. With large numbers of paddlers spread out over several miles, its only realistic that paddlers realize that first and foremost they are responseable for their own safety. Yes, there should be some sort of safety "net", but you got to be able to save yourself until you get saved.
Fun. Some races just have a good atmosphere.
#9 Mon, 02/25/2008 - 5:53am
How much are paddlers willing to spend? As a group paddlers are pretty cheap, Obviously not in the equipment we buy but what we want for our money, Honestly 15.00 for a race for what you get is outstanding, Look at any other sport ie, cycling, running, triathlons, You are hard pressed to find an entry fee for less than 20.00, That generally does not include lunch, or a t-shirt.
For 15.00 I think you can expect to get a race, period. You want lunch, safety boats, insurance, permits, and a t-shirt. Get ready to start paying for it,
Safety should be the first concern for any race organizer, I have seen too many times that one or two of the minimum three safety boats that are supposed to show don't, The race is held anyway because you know there will be huge grumbling if it is not, The biggest problem is many times Safety boats are donating there time and expenses, If they don't show or the weather is too cold what are they out, Generally nothing, I honestly think we should have certified safety boats, they should know the rules and what is expected of them, and how to deal with situations, I heard recently of a safety boat that left for the harbor knowing there was still a very slow paddler on the water that they were tired of watching, or the time a paddler doing the Malibu to Marina race had a rudder problem, after being given a tool to try and fix it was told they weren't sure if the rules allowed them to help and took the tool back and left him to paddle zig zag for the entire race, Or there was the time I watched safety boat pull up to paddlers, ask them if they wanted to jump on the wake and proceed to pull them ahead,
You will get what you pay for,
#12 Mon, 02/25/2008 - 1:20pm
Numerouno, the closest to beer and strippers is the Kailua Iron. Hooters girls and 1 free beer.
oceanohana is right. I imagine its very difficult to organize a race. There are so many factors to worry about. Plus you'll never make all the paddlers happy. Someone will always bitch and moan.
eckhart, I would be willing to go out on a limb here and say I bet very few race organizers make money.
Poops on all of us.
#15 Mon, 02/25/2008 - 7:10pm
What services can paddlers expect from the race organization ?
Submitted by eckhart on