IrishFreestyle

I really like the heats idea as it alows those who can really push themselves to go as big as possible on any given feature with out the risk of killing there score if they flush etc.

Sadly not the most ideal system for the likes of Gower as at some levels only dropping on is possible.

Also as much as I "want to save Rodeo" if our athletes are to go and be competive in internation competion. It is possibly a disadvantage to them having to qualify through a heats system oly to have to change there rides/style for international events.

Shame we can't have your cake and eat it!

But if WE want to "save Rodeo" we have to encourage all of our mates to "give it a go" show up to these events. It will be good for the sport, the specators and all competors.

And as Kim said;

"And if you do a lot of it, you might get better at it, which is fun too!"

Thhats my €00.02

Adrian

"níl a fhios agam........"

Hey!

Just a few comments in reply to the points that you have raised Adrian.

Originally, the team selections and national championships were one and the same events.  They were organised by the commitee and were essentially the only events run in the country.  They were run off as a circuit of 5 (correct me here if I am wrong) competitions. 

About four years ago, the was a noticeable lack of attendance and it was decided by the committee to change the structure of the events as a means of trying to rejuvenate interest in the competitions.  So, a two tier system was put in place.  Team Selections and National Championships were still to be organised by the committee and run to International Freestyle Rules.  Secondly, fun events were to be run in local areas by the paddlers of that area with guidance and support from the Freestyle Commitee.  The idea was that these events were to be less competition focused and more fun, the rules could be adapted to suit whatever the organisers decided.  Innovative events like the Riverfest run in Curragower and Wet West Weekend run in Clifden (excellent events) were put together. 

The people that put these competitions together undertook a huge amount of work (most of which is unseen) and I think that the best way we can support them and keep rodeo / freestyle alive is by taking part!

Just a few cents on a Tuesday afternoon - hurry up 5.30!

Hi All.

I would really appreciate if everybody voted in this poll. This is a great way of finding out/testing water for new formats for future fun competitions but its very hard to guage off a poll with only 25 votes.

Please take the time to vote, its annonymous .

Also please feel free to make suggestions.

Cheers

Jackie

To organise events with more related activities tied in, besides the standard rodeo format ie.: a head to head race, a car boot sale, a slide show, a party, Queen of the wave, boat throwing competition ;-), unmanned boat race (a bit of betting would be fun), and as Brendan said perhaps a bit of coaching or clinics. "Make a day out of it" as Dave would say.

We need competitions to be social events as well, so people can meet up and get inspired and have a bit of craic. I reckon this is why GAA and rugby are very popular: people can get away and have a good time. It would be great if there would be a lot of: "you going to the sluice fun event?" "yeah should be a bit of craic!" type talk within the clubs, similarly to what happens with the BBB each year. And the more people come to competitions, the more will be inspired to take it to a next level. Or not, and that is fine as well, as long as there is a crowd to have a good time with.

I think that I'd go to one of these events, haven't done so yet as it's a tad intimidating, if you used a mixture of the above remedies.

(Basically I'm agreeing with the post above)

Why not add divisions? I can't think how it'll detract from a competition.

About the big move and old school move options, why not change it up and have different competitions with different categories. even just throw one/both of these in at the end of a competition? Same with the 45 second / 15 minute debate.

The only suggestion I don't think'll help is by having cash prizes. If people want to paddle, they'll paddle. Also, if somebody is going to be good enough to be winning cash prizes I think they'll be involved already and if they're not, I doubt they'll be there for the banter which'll help in the long-run.

 In short, why not change things up and have some fun!

Adding divsions definitely. Look at the DH biking scene..there must be around 7 divisions, the sport has had a huge increae in competitors recently too.

Good sponsorship is essential, people will be persuaded to travel from all parts if they hear a new boat or set of paddles are for grabs.

Cash prizes would be more suitable for the top divisions..sponsorship wise.

Another way to bring in the crowds would be a best trick fund..eg. 150e for biggest trick during final rides in comp. This would bring more people to the comp and also push top competitors to show off making the comp more enjoyabe for spectators and paddlers alike.

Id leave the time as it is for international sake, a big move comp would only attract a smaller crowd again..not everyone can do big moves and the nile is a bit of a trip away! Old skool moves..i dont think would be a good idea, I for one wasnt around when people were throwing them, a masters division could include old skool but not accross the board.

Advertisement for these comps is a must, and in the adverts we should promote begginers to come along, from what I see its generaly just collegues that are getting people into the paddling lifestyle.

If we leave everything as it is freestyle is a gonner in ireland

Tomas

I agree 100% with everything Tom has said. To be honest if we want rodeo/freestyle to stay alive, we need to start holding events that attract a much broader crowd. At the moment the crowd attending team trials/national /sluice rodeos etc. are generally the same crowd each year, with only a very small proportion of new paddlers coming up through the ranks. This isn't because there is a lack of freestyle paddlers in the country, at any play spot I've been to there are plenty of really talented up and coming freestyle paddlers who would be more than able to paddle at these events.

In general a lot of these paddlers are sprouting from college clubs, and I think that this is where we need to be looking if we want to increase numbers at freestyle events. If you look at the turnout at the the intervarsities each year, each year I'm amazed by the numbers at these events, and there are generally lots of decent paddlers competeing the freestyle event. I think the main reason these paddlers don't enter rodeos/other competitions is because they don't see the point, they see that there are a group of paddlers (particualrly in the mens category) who are in a league of their own, and feel that it is a waist of time going to a competition to paddle two 45 second runs and get trashed by guys who are far better than them.

This is where having different devisions would come into it. If you have a clubs/sports category and other fun categorys like the 15 minute heats or as kim suggested, races or old school catgeories (i.e. paddling boats over 9 feet or something) etc. could really help.

If it is a problem finding motivated people to organise these events I think there would be no harm in approaching large college clubs such as UCD, UCC, UL or NUIG and asking them to help organise events in conjunction with the irishfreestyle committee.

In general I think if we want to save freestyle we need to hold much more diverse events, with alot more categories and divisions,big parties etc., and promote the events as whole events, i.e. a whole weekend similar to the riverfest or west west weekend that is the best shot at saving freestyle.

in my opinion freestyle isnt realy open to people in clubs its only open to people who have friends or conections to people who do freestyle on there own time in my club only 1 person ( goes out with friends) can realy use a play boat . i think new freestyle courses or clubs should become availible . but definitly dont do cash prizes or it will become a comercial sport like football and every one will think its the sport for them EVERYONE! nabey you should have big rodeos like the 1 they had in wales a few months ago. from what i heard everyone even kids had great fun?