Minutes of the Wild Water Racing Committee

28^th November 2007

Held at Wild Water Kayak Club

Present: Martin McCarthy, Yvonne Glynn, Bruno Halter, John Ringwood, Liam McCarthy

Objectives for the Year

The following are some of the objectives the committee consider important:

• To further increase the numbers competing at races.
• To further increase the numbers of juniors involved in WW Racing.
• To facilitate paddlers in achieving their best possible results when representing Ireland abroad. To that end, we must ensure that standards of race organisation are as high possible, within reason.
• To assist race organisers in their efforts to run races in a more efficient manner.
• To formulate a selection policy for international teams

Improved Race Coordination

Members of the committee expressed a desire for better coordination at races.

A greater effort should be made to run races on time. At some races, more help is needed. Some suggestions were made as to how race organisers might be assisted:

• Race organisers should be encouraged to read the ‘Race Organisers Guide’ available on the website

• Yvonne agreed to contact race organisers on one of the days preceding the event to advise and help in relation to equipment, classes, prizes etc.
• It was decided to ask Keith to ensure that race organisers are familiar with the workings of the ‘beeper’.
• It was decided to purchase some shelter or cover to keep the clipboard with the finish times dry in bad weather.
• It was also decided to buy 3 good quality stop watches with good lap time facility.
• It was noted that two people at least are needed at the finish of a race and that the race number of each competitor be written down as they finish.

Race Numbers

It was suggested that race numbers be issued at the start of a season. The competitors would use the same number for the entire season. It would be the responsibility of the competitor to ensure that their number be clearly displayed on their boat.

A number bib could also be supplied on receipt of a deposit. Such a deposit should cover the cost of a replacement number. This suggestion would alleviate the considerable workload on the day of the event. This would help the smooth running of competitions.

It would also eliminate the need to bring number bibs to each race and wash and sort them after the race. However it would have the disadvantage of not having numbers relating to race reverse order. This would make it less obvious to the finish judge and to spectators which classes were racing at any one time.

Such a system could be considered for next season or could possibly be introduced in January.

No definite decision was taken at this meeting though it was agreed to visit the matter another time.

Racing Licence

Instead of paying an entry fee at each event, a race licence was suggested. Again this would reduce the workload on the day of competitions. The cost of the licence would be less than the sum of the entry fees for all of the ranking races. This would encourage racers to compete in races for which they have paid in advance.

A day licence could be purchased by those who choose not to buy the annual licence.

A disadvantage of annual licence would be the difficulty of dividing up the proceeds amongst the organising clubs. It was suggested that this could be done in accordance with the number of competitors attending each race.

No definite decision was taken and it was agreed to revisit the matter.

Class rationalisation

It was pointed out that under the rules of our constitution, we are obliged to have the following classes available at ranking races:

• Ladies
• Men’s Division 1
• Men’s Division 2;
• C1
• C2

It was decided that race organisers can choose to offer other classes if they wish.

Prizes should not be class specific in case an insufficient number of competitors turn up. It was suggested that no prize be awarded if less than 3 competitors enter a class.

It was also suggested that an annual trophy be awarded to senior ranking class winners instead of giving prizes at each event. It was pointed out that prizes for juniors be awarded at each event.

Competitors may enter a different class only with the committee’s permission and if that competitor offers an appropriate rationale for their request. In selection races all must race in their respective categories.

The committee have acceded to the requests from Liz Shouldice and Keith McGuirk to race in Men’s Division 1 for the remainder of the season, except of course in selection events.

The committee insist that race organisers observe the rules regarding start order. Start order should be in reverse order of the results in the previous race. Those who hadn’t raced previously will start according to reverse order of entry.

Website

John Ringwood and Bruno Halter made a commitment to revamp the website by the end of January 2008.

Selection Policy

It was agreed that there should be a minimum standard for selection for World Cup races. Stricter criteria will be used for World Championships.

Where possible, funding will be directed towards the World Championships and Junior International Events.

World Championships and European Championships will have priority over World Cup Events in terms of funding.

The selection committee is:

Martin McCarthy

John Ringwood

Yvonne Glynn

Liam McCarthy

Junior selection

It was suggested that a sprint and a classic race be used for selection to the Junior European Championships, to be held in Adda, in Italy.

A trip abroad was discussed for other juniors.

Senior Selection

It was decided that the Secretary email the other selectors with last years selection policy. This will be used as a discussion document. Ideas will be debated by email prior to a meeting which will be held in the next 2 weeks. At this meeting selection policy will be decided.

The events in question are:

World Championships in Ivrea, Italy

World Cup 1: Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic

World Cup 2: Lofer, Austria

Other Business

The committee has agreed to support Keith McGuirk in his efforts to develop C1 and C2. Interest in C1 and C2 has been expressed by Tullamore Canoe Club.

John Ringwood agreed to contact the ICU with regard to funding the expenses of an ICF Athlete Representative. Keith has drawn the attention of the committee to the fact that such a position has been advertised on an ICF newsletter.

Keith McGuirk has asked the committee to consider reviving The Home Nations. The suggestion is that it be held in a different country each year. Martin McCarthy agreed to write to the other three nations and seek their views on this matter.

As there was no other business, the meeting ended.