Unofficial UK Slalom BBS

I'd assumed the ban came in for safety reasons, as with stick-on fins they could be quite sharp by design. I have a friend who was a composites designer on the McLaren F1 team (now at Ferrari) who made me a carbon set so I could try them out, I wouldn't have wanted to be paddled over by them to be h...

I think that scratch C2 crews should be lower priority than all ranking paddlers, including Div 4. Dee as you say, the original intent was to encourage casual pairings who may just want to do one race, but not take it particularly seriously. It would be a shame if scratch crews then meant that paddl...

Wow, common sense actually prevailed for a change...

I think that's a great idea Steve. It's a lovely trophy, it'd be a shame for it to fall into disuse.

Paul.

My other thought is that it potentially gives local paddlers even more of a home advantage on some courses. Given a short time window for course erection it's unlikely practice gates will be left up until the last minute then swapped for race gates, they are most likely going to be taken down severa...

I know Steve is fairly active on here so he might see this, but I'll text him now to let him know you're after the pot from last year (although there's now no 2/3 vets prize is there?)

Paul.

Just throwing it out there, but would it be better/easier to just have priority based on bib number? That then gives priority to those who have been strongest in the previous season, so in theory are working towards to promotion this season. It would disadvantage those who are rapidly progressing, s...

Firstly it strikes me that the reference to Prem could be removed, as there's no free practice anyway so as soon as the course is erected there should be no competing paddlers on the water? I'm then in two minds re Div1. I support the motivation to discourage parents taking children out of school fo...

Looking back at the original post, it was about paddlers who've had some really good results but aren't quite there for promotion. Rather than playing around with points to try and manage it purely with in-year, how about dealing with it as year-end promotions (which I believe is being discussed for...

mmmm, looks worrying like more commercialisation of the entry-level coaching that has always been part of the club environment. I can understand that for things like sea canoeing, where people may want to take it up without joining a club, but need to make sure they have good skills, safety etc. But...

I'd just do whatever you want to do, I can't see anyone considering you doing a C1 run (especially as you'll be working at it, not just turning up at the start and cruising down) as as 'cheating' or influencing whether someone else gets promoted.

Paul.

I really like the new system, it's been nice being able to go along with my boys to 2/3's and race with them for fun, then do Div 1 and the occasional Prem seriously. Definitely has increased participation as well. As Steve and Steve have mentioned, it comes down to why you're racing, is it for the ...

Hi Nick, excellent work! Appreciate this will normally be given by someone who knows their stuff and isn't intended as a replacement for the rulebook (and ideally the judges know the rules!), but just in case it's not I had a couple of comments. "Pre touch. If gate 3 is hit before gate 2 has been su...

I've had to cancel a couple this year, some of my races due to injury and a couple for one of my boys where they'd been been promoted. Both were well before the payment date, easy process for me as a paddler as it was just e-mailing the organiser. Not something I'd make a habit of, and I'd certainly...

Hi Patrick, just wanted to say thanks to you and everyone at Viking for yet another great event.

See you in September!

Paul.