6.5 Introduction of a new, plastic boat event

[Secretary Man]

Proposed by Mold Canoe Club Seconded by Wyedean Canoe Club
As many of us are aware our sport is in need of modernisation to allow and encourage greater participation.
The introduction of Kayak Cross has hopefully encouraged the participation of other paddlers into the sport, although at the minute it is early days and the main participation appears to be from slalom paddlers.
Many parents whose children participate in slalom are themselves paddlers many of whom are plastic boat paddlers and would like to participate in the sport. Many enjoy paddling and training with their club/children, but are unable to compete due to not having the right equipment and would be handicapped if they did compete in the lower divisions by not being able to compete on an equal basis . Many also don’t want to compete in Division 4 where they could be taking potential promotion away from junior paddlers.
The proposal is to introduce a new division for plastic kayaks/canoes for anyone over the age of 18 (who are not already competing in slalom kayaks) to compete against each other paddlers on a division 3 or a division 2 course on an equal playing field. Two divisions would be created one for men and one for women.
Points would be awarded the same as they are at present when racing in a slalom kayak and would initially use the veterans points system (section 2.10 ) with a multiplication factor of 1.2 and with a difficulty points addition for paddling a division 2 course (A points uplift as in the veterans system).
Should anyone purchase a slalom kayak and have sufficient ranking points in the ‘plastic boat’ division they would gain ranking entry into either division 2 or division 3 (depending on the points they have and the decision of the ranking officer). The points would not be transferable between the divisions.
The introduction of a maximum length and a minimum weight would be for discussion at a later date due to the difficulties of initially regulating, but similar controls as Kayak cross could be used. The boat must not have any dangerous sharp or jagged edges (anything that could cause a cut or injury) due to the craft having probably been used for river running etc.

2.9 THE DIVISIONAL SYSTEM (UK)
2.9.1 Divisions
The divisional system of five divisions (Premier, 1, 2, 3 and 4) in each of the four events (MK1, WK1, WC1 and MC1) and one division in the C2 event ensures that there is a standard of competition suitable for athletes of all degrees of ability.
In addition, there is a Veterans division in each of the four events (MK1, WK1, WC1 and MC1)
There are also two divisions for plastic craft (WP1 and MP1) that competes at division 2 and 3 competitions
A competition series for Officials is also run.
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INSERT NEW 2.11 and renumber existing 2.11 as 2.12
2.11 Plastic Craft ranking (UK)
2.11.1 The Divisional System
Plastic craft are ranked in a single division and can enter any division 2 or division 3 ranking competition or Championship event.
2.11.2Eligibility
2.11.2.a An athlete whose 18th birthday is on or before the 31st December in the year in question may elect to paddle plastic in any event, but not necessarily in all the events in which they compete.
2.11.2.b Upon application to the Ranking Status Officer (see Rule 6.4.2), any athlete may take up to divisional status in an event. The revised ranking will start immediately Any ranking points will be lost on taking up the divisional status.
2.11.3 Difficulty factor
2.11.3.1 To reflect the degree of paddling a plastic craft in competitions hosting higher divisions, the points awarded will be increased by a difficulty factor. The points calculated under 2.11.4 will be increased by: a factor of 1.2.
2.11.4 Calculating points – Quorate Divisional Event (See Rule 1.7)
2.11.4.a Ranking points are obtained by comparing scores with the host divisional event. Where a Plastic Craft’s score does not correspond exactly with a score in the divisional event points will be awarded for the next place lower. If the Plastic Craft’s score matches the score of more than one athlete in the corresponding divisional event, then the points awarded to the higher placed divisional athlete will be used.
2.11.4.b In the case of a competition hosting more than one Division, scores will be compared with every Division in the same event and the highest points found will be awarded, for instance, at a Division 2/3 race, a Women’s Plastic Craft’s score will be compared with those of WK1 in both Division 2 and Division 3 and the higher score so found will be awarded.
2.11.5 Where a Plastic Craft’s score is lower than any host division score the Plastic Craft will be awarded the points allocated the points below. No difficulty factor will be applied:
Division 2 - 20 points
Division 3 - 10 points
2.11.6 Calculating points – Inquorate Divisional Event (See Rule 1.7)
2.11.6.a In the case of a competition hosting more one Division, ranking points will be calculated against the corresponding Men’s Kayak’s event using the method described in Rule 6.7.
2.11.6.2b In the case of a competition hosting more than one Division, where any one (or more) of the corresponding divisional events is inquorate the Veteran’s modified score will be compared to MK1’s scores for that division and to the corresponding quorate divisional events where available. The highest points found will be awarded. For example: A Division 2/3 race hosts a Division 3 WK1 event that is inquorate and a Division 2 WK1 event that is quorate. In this case a Women’s Plastic Craft's modified score will be compared with those of MK1 in Division 3 (using the method described in 6.7.) and her raw score with Division 2 WK1 (using the method described in rule 2.10.4 The highest score so found will be awarded.
2.11.7 End of season results
2.11.7.a Ranking positions at the end of the season are calculated on the best five results obtained in the season.
2.11.8 Additional Information
2.11.8.a For single division competitions the entry fee charged shall be the same as for those athletes entering the divisional event.
2.11.8.bAt multi divisional competitions the entry fee charged will be that for the highest division competing on that day.
2.11.8.c All registered Plastic kayakers must apply to the appropriate ranking officer for a bib.
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3.1 Boat Definition
3.1.1 Kayaks are decked boats, propelled by double bladed paddles. The athlete must be sitting inside the kayak.
3.1.2 Canadian canoes are decked boats propelled by single-bladed paddles. The athlete must be kneeling inside the canoe.
3.1.3 (UK) Plastic Craft are kayaks or canoes, where the athlete sits or kneels on or in the craft.. Only mass produced (manufactured in large quantities by an automated mechanical process) plastic (roto-moulded, thermoformed or blow-moulded) boats freely available for purchase on the open market are permitted.
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3.1.4 (UK) Boats must be designed to, and remain within, the required dimensions and weight. Any additional weight needs to be permanently fixed in the boat.
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3.2.1 Minimum length and width
All types of K1 Minimum length 3.50 m
Minimum width 0.60 m
All types of C1 Minimum length 3.50 m
Minimum width 0.60 m
All types of C2 Minimum length 4.10 m
Minimum width 0.75 m
All types of Plastic Craft No maximum or minimum measurements applies
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Rule 3.2.5 applies to all craft, canoe, kayak and plastic
3.2.5 Rudders are prohibited on all boats. Any object protruding from the hull must be manufactured into the hull mould and be no higher than 20mm and no narrower than 8mm with a minimum radius of 4mm on its outside edge

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[Secretary Man]

Committee Amendment
Whilst supporting the principle, this is untried and the committee proposes that this is held for the next ACM. A series of Open ‘ plastic’ races should be held, or a mechanism of identifying people paddling plastic boats in ranking races be developed to enable the approach to be trialled, with a shadow ranking being produced

[Rick]

This motion 6.5 would be both enhanced, and simplified, by adopting the Proposed Veterans Points calculation of Motion 6.1.1 as the means for calculating points for Plastic Boat Events.
This would use each Plastic Boat's score as a proportion of the respective div event winner's score to determine Plastic Boat points, rather than using the position of all athletes in the div event. Experience with Vets events in 2022 has shown difficulties using the 2022 Vets Points calculation.
Points for Plastic Boats at different races would be more consistent and better comparable with the points following proposal 6.1.1.
Simplification would come from not requiring a multiplication factor, as there would be no need for comparison to division points - an athlete wishing to switch to the ranking division could simply apply for Ranking Status using the evidence of Plastic Boat results, without need of a formal points threshold for 'promotion'.

[JimW]

What generally puts people from a non-racing background off (call them plastic boaters if you want to, but that differentiation seems daft to me), is the number and complexity of the rules.
I'm fully behind trying to encourage such people to have a go, but you need to do it by simplifying things, not adding another 2 pages to the rulebook.

Is there really a group of paddlers who are just waiting for a ranking system for non-slalom boats before they try slalom? Or can we satisfy them by letting them race in an open event alongside regular slalom for prizes on the day? If they are going to join in regularly and be interested in their ranking, they are probably of the mindset to to join the main divisional system anyway. I think to encourage those paddlers we need to offer something different than what slalom normally offers, not just a copy of the existing system with different boat restrictions.

[djberriman]

Much my thoughts Jim

1. Div 1 - 3 to have an open event which plastic boats can enter.
2. Allow paddlers gain direct entry in Div 1 -3 (save paddlers having to slog their way through 3 divisions if they are good enough.

Main issue with plastic boats will be pole heights and we don't need to be lifting them any higher, a number of events already raise them well above the height in the rule book.

If there are regular plastic boat paddlers then creating a ranking system, volunteers have enough to deal with already and the extra costs won't be welcome.

I suspect any such entries will be people paddling their own club event, if they do get hooked I'd expect they would end up racing in a composite boat. Generally I'd expect any such paddlers at a higher level will not want to pay the race fees when they can paddle for free or very little cost any other day of the week.

[James Hastings]

I agree with Jim. As a paddler of nearly 30 years who has always had one foot in slalom and the other in river running, the perennial argument that I got, and still get, from river runners is the paucity of water time. Why drive several hours with the associated costs in terms of petrol, accommodation, entry fees, etc. for a few minutes on the water, when you can go for a river running weekend with several hours of paddling?

Until slalom can address this issue, I really do not see it being able to attract many river runners.

Cheers,
James