Isolation
Did ya know that in the sport of climbing they operate the following system......
Climbing Competition Isolation Area
For on-sight rock climbing competitions, climbers must attempt the routes with no previous knowledge of the route or sequences. This is accomplished by holding the climbers in a waiting area called "isolation". This area separates the competitors from viewing the routes, talking to other climbers who have completed their climbs or talking to spectators or coaches.
Prior to climbing, climbers in each category will be taken to preview the route. After the preview they are taken back to the climbing competition isolation area until they are called to compete. When a climber is called from the isolation area he is taken to the transition zone. Even though this is considered to be part of the isolation area, the climber is not permitted to talk to any climbers or leave and return to the transition area. In the transition zone the climber makes the last preparations before climbing. Sometimes the competitor will be requried to tie the rope to their harness while in the transition area. When the climber is called from the transition area, he is taken directly to the wall to climb. If the climber has already tied in to the rope, the rope is carried with the climber to the wall and the climber is expected to begin climbing immediately.
....could you imagine the difference that a system like this would make to the sport of freestyle. i bet it would alter competition results a fair bit. it would however be fairly difficult to coordinate.... especially when one considers the difficulty currently in organising an irish event anyway...
The point of it isn't that they can't see the wall but that they can't see how the other climbers get up the wall, so for paddling the competitor wouldn't see what moves other guys are doing or know what routine they'd have to beat.
You might be able to do it at Clifden? Or make the competitors wear hoods (with matching orange jump suits :) )
in boartercross races, such as the bbb or flesk all the competitors can see the lines to take and what not to take, the level of water at a drop or whatever........however i have to say the wet west this year did try something like this, holding back the release of the water until bout 20 mins b4 the race giving you no time to scout the run. i found this to make the race alot more interesting.
i've always thought the that the dargle would be a savage river to do a boater cross on, but that the only draw back would be that theres no real place for a crowd to watch,.
would make the party even better cause there'd be a pretty good carnage video :)
you get the insurance sorted, i'll get the rain
kids under 15 will need to have a signed consent form form parent,
inflatable's go last !!
