Pat:
Regarding my improvement... it was a combination of practice and GOOD BOATS.
An earlier post questioned the role of expanding classes / opportunities for recreational boats in racing. I did not have time to post when it came out, but Kaz had a great response about getting a race boat in order to race. That is what worked for me.
For 3 or 4 years I would show up at 1 race a year and race in a Cascade and a MR (Royalex) Howler. My strategy, just as Bob described above, was to just get near the gates, since there was no way I could clean them (and I REALLY left them swinging).
I started this year's race season with a personal goal of finishing within 150% of the time of the winners. That is, if the winner finished at 200 points (seconds) I wanted to be at least at 300. I guess I met my goal.
The biggest contributions:
1. Millbrook Boats. The designs are incredible and really reward the paddler / racer.
2. Pointers from racers. There were no long lessons, just pointers (Hint for novices- these guys will not step up and tell you how to paddle your own boat; but if you ask they are great at coaching). I just listened close and practiced. It worked. Some of the greatest fun Patrick (9 year old son) and I have had have been at the races.
Thanks for your work on behalf of slalom racing- I am grateful to all who contribute to the races and give guys like me a chance to learn.
Jim
Open Canoe Nationals Ballot
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NEOC Slalom Rules
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Fellow canoeists:
Here are the ballot results. I thank you all for your input into this decision making process. I did change my mind on Item 3 when it was apparent that Alan would be elected. He is a fine gentleman and may well get a few Montanan's and Idahoer's to compete in our Nationals race. The only real change in the rules will be a trial of my percent of winning time in each event for scoring the combined. And a big thanks to Adam for having this forum to discuss these issues as our Open Canoe Slalom Committee forum is down.
Pat Cleary NEOCSC Rep
RE: Results of the Nov 2003 ballot
Item 1. The new Open Canoe Slalom chair position. Fortunately we have two well qualified people who are willing to act as co-chairs. Are you in favor of having Connie Miner and Sam Montague function as Open Canoe Slalom co-chairs for the next two years?
13 YES zero NO
Item 2. Gate penalties. Are you in favor of changing our present penalty for touching a gate from the 10-second penalty to a 5-second penalty?
6 YES 7 NO
Item 3. Member-at-large. Are you in favor of electing Alan Burgmuller as member-at-large?
12 YES 1 NO
Item 4. Calculating the Combined Event. Are you in favor of using the proposed percentage method for calculating the Combined Race Event (as described by Pat Cleary) at the 2004 Nationals in order to further evaluate this method prior to adoption?
12 YES zero NO 1 abstain
Item 5. Time period for the Nationals. Our current rules state…”Article VIII, 11…The Open Canoe Nationals should take place between June 20 and August 20.” Are you in favor of replacing this rule with the following? “Because of seasonal differences in river flows at potential race sites across the country, the Open Canoe Slalom Nationals may take place at times other than the mid-summer period.”
7 YES 6 NO
Item 6. Are you in favor of having Dan House continue as member-at-large?
11 YES zero NO 2 did not vote
Individual votes, listed 1 through 6, are as follows (Y=YES; N=NO; A=abstain; n/a=did not vote):
Bollermann Y Y Y Y N Y
Cleary Y N Y Y Y Y
Cook Y N N Y N n/a
Figdore Y N Y Y Y n/a
Foti Y Y Y Y Y Y
Herring Y Y Y Y N Y
House Y N Y A Y Y
LeClair Y N Y Y N Y
Oxenford Y N Y Y N Y
Paton Y Y Y Y Y Y
Peterson Y Y Y Y Y Y
Smerda Y Y Y Y Y Y
Westwood Y N Y Y N Y
Note: In accord with a Draft E-mail protocol recently received from the ACA, the co-chairs (Bob and Jill Stecker) did not vote…”The Chair should only vote to make or break a tie.” Also, please note that Bob and Jill will remain on the OCS voting committee for the next 2 years as Past Chair, as also prescribed by ACA.
Here are the ballot results. I thank you all for your input into this decision making process. I did change my mind on Item 3 when it was apparent that Alan would be elected. He is a fine gentleman and may well get a few Montanan's and Idahoer's to compete in our Nationals race. The only real change in the rules will be a trial of my percent of winning time in each event for scoring the combined. And a big thanks to Adam for having this forum to discuss these issues as our Open Canoe Slalom Committee forum is down.
Pat Cleary NEOCSC Rep
RE: Results of the Nov 2003 ballot
Item 1. The new Open Canoe Slalom chair position. Fortunately we have two well qualified people who are willing to act as co-chairs. Are you in favor of having Connie Miner and Sam Montague function as Open Canoe Slalom co-chairs for the next two years?
13 YES zero NO
Item 2. Gate penalties. Are you in favor of changing our present penalty for touching a gate from the 10-second penalty to a 5-second penalty?
6 YES 7 NO
Item 3. Member-at-large. Are you in favor of electing Alan Burgmuller as member-at-large?
12 YES 1 NO
Item 4. Calculating the Combined Event. Are you in favor of using the proposed percentage method for calculating the Combined Race Event (as described by Pat Cleary) at the 2004 Nationals in order to further evaluate this method prior to adoption?
12 YES zero NO 1 abstain
Item 5. Time period for the Nationals. Our current rules state…”Article VIII, 11…The Open Canoe Nationals should take place between June 20 and August 20.” Are you in favor of replacing this rule with the following? “Because of seasonal differences in river flows at potential race sites across the country, the Open Canoe Slalom Nationals may take place at times other than the mid-summer period.”
7 YES 6 NO
Item 6. Are you in favor of having Dan House continue as member-at-large?
11 YES zero NO 2 did not vote
Individual votes, listed 1 through 6, are as follows (Y=YES; N=NO; A=abstain; n/a=did not vote):
Bollermann Y Y Y Y N Y
Cleary Y N Y Y Y Y
Cook Y N N Y N n/a
Figdore Y N Y Y Y n/a
Foti Y Y Y Y Y Y
Herring Y Y Y Y N Y
House Y N Y A Y Y
LeClair Y N Y Y N Y
Oxenford Y N Y Y N Y
Paton Y Y Y Y Y Y
Peterson Y Y Y Y Y Y
Smerda Y Y Y Y Y Y
Westwood Y N Y Y N Y
Note: In accord with a Draft E-mail protocol recently received from the ACA, the co-chairs (Bob and Jill Stecker) did not vote…”The Chair should only vote to make or break a tie.” Also, please note that Bob and Jill will remain on the OCS voting committee for the next 2 years as Past Chair, as also prescribed by ACA.
Open Boat/Open Mind