Unofficial UK Slalom BBS

I see that Ken has decided to put his feet up after many years of hard work on the year book.

My question now is, does it really make sense to continue with a printed year book?

I will admit to using the rules section but these days it is easier to search the rules online. Post publication changes to competitions and organisers do happen so most paddlers probably check Nick's site in any case.

I believe that costs of the year book are offset by advertising, but someone has to chase for ads and payment.

Some of the work would still be needed, proof reading updated rules, gathering competition info, but is there still a demand for the printed version or would all that volunteer effort (of which there is a lot) be better directed elsewhere.

Just wondering?

Ken did an amazing job, but now you've said it, I think I could manage ok without a printed version. Having a pdf version would be helpful though, formatted with verso and recto sides so that it can be printed out to e.g. have a copy kicking around a clubhouse.

Not easy to search rules online at venues with no phone or internet reception, for some reason people seem to expect me to have a yearbook with me (which I generally do) so I have referred to it a few times for rules queries (usually points calculation - I think the app needs internet too?), but this only highlights that most people never even look at it.

It is probably a handy reference for slalom organisers, but presumably the minimum print run makes it an all or none proposition?

It it is turned into a PDF only download it need to use a paper shape and size that anyone can print out for themselves - for those of us with access to document centres with booklet finishers formatted as individual A5 pages will work fine, for others it would be useful to have say A5 pages arranged on A4 sheets so that you can just stack them, and fold the stack to make a booklet.
In either case the booklets need to be much thinner than the current yearbook (thick stacks don't fold well), but that should be easily achievable using the same font size on bigger pages and removing some ads. Perhaps split into separate booklets for rules, calendar, bibs to make each manageable and allow people to only print the parts they use?

Why bibs? Once published on line they can change as people get promoted so why waste paper on printing them? Don't need them at a slalom.

I agree Rule book and maybe a slimmer leaflet type booklet for the calendar.

However we also have the Selection policy and Welfare policies, international stuff etc. What do we do with them?

Believe it has been discussed but people seem to want to keep the book as it is. It takes so much effort to produce this book, proof reading alone takes ages and packing year books takes a bit of organising. Maybe its one for clubs to discuss and take to the ACM as to whether there is the need for the book in its present form or a change.

Last time it was discussed was probably at least five years ago. Time moves on and things change quickly. My guess is that the vast majority of paddlers use the online calendar rather than the printed one and attitudes may have changed. Even at the start of this year some people were expressing doubts about online entry. Many of the same people have since told me that they've changed their minds and now think it's a good thing.

If minds can change in less than a year, then five years is a life time!

I am not in any way trying to belittle contribution that those involved in producing the year book have made. It used to be a "bible" for many paddlers and has been a necessity in the past. I just think that maybe this is a good opportunity to reconsider.

Just one additional point:
Past yearbooks provide a very valuable historical source.

I realised last night that people who *do* get lots of use out of the paper yearbook might not be great readers of Chatter and need to be looked for in another way like a survey by email or post or something, if decisions are going to get made on whether there will be a paper yearbook or not.

The topic of the longevity of a paper yearbook is regularly discussed at committee meetings. So it is actually months since it was last discussed not years.
Keeping a yearbook that does not cost much financially is still widely supported. Different groups use different sections and the value of a book to new starters is also thought to be a benefit in getting people to keep trying this wonderful.sport.

i can see the appeal for new paddlers (or more likely the parents ).

JimW wrote:Not easy to search rules online at venues with no phone or internet reception, for some reason people seem to expect me to have a yearbook with me (which I generally do) so I have referred to it a few times for rules queries (usually points calculation - I think the app needs internet too?)

Hi Jim, just to say that the app doesn't require an internet connection to use. It now also features the events calendar, along with start lists (when they become available) and calendar downloads to mobile devices.

The Washburn doesn't have either wifi or mobile connectivity - Grandtully doesn't have mobile connectivity on a lot of networks

John

TobyLerone wrote:

JimW wrote:Not easy to search rules online at venues with no phone or internet reception, for some reason people seem to expect me to have a yearbook with me (which I generally do) so I have referred to it a few times for rules queries (usually points calculation - I think the app needs internet too?)

Hi Jim, just to say that the app doesn't require an internet connection to use. It now also features the events calendar, along with start lists (when they become available) and calendar downloads to mobile devices.

Thanks Toby, probably something basic like I needed internet connection to install it in the first place having not planned ahead, infact it isn't installed now.... just going to play store....