Topic: Summer Flatwater Race

[Jason]

Would anyone be interested in participating in and/or help organize a low-key flatwater race in Memphis?  Schedule it when most rivers have dried up and the asphalt is mushy? Perhaps a few sprint races in the Harbor?  Any thoughts/suggestions?

[Elmore]

     I don't see why we couldn't do that--maybe on a weekday evening every week in July and August.  If we set a course marked by permanent objects (bridges, etc), then getting someone to do the timing would be the only real organizational necessity.  Even that is not so hard if we have more than one heat (based on boat class) and get somebody not in that heat to be the timer.

[MW]

I think Memphis and every riverfront city needs a Dragonboat team!!! We could challenge other cities in our region then have Nationals!

[BY_1x]

Great suggestion, Jason!

I know in some other cities local folks setup informal, but quite regular time-trial  "racing nights" for bicyclists, kayakers, rowers and skiers (as in XC-skiers  )

A friend of mine told me that in Rochester, NY  on the second year of these "racing Tuesdays", when they got to 10+ attendees every time, local paddlers agreed to increase the stakes, ($5/Tuesday), to keep the score thoughout the summer, and then to have a party/award ceremony in September. I was told that most of the accumulated funds went to pizza and beer though

I am sure we can work out the details. I am in!
-ILia

[potterspoint434]

I might like to try coming over for that once in a while, if ya let me come? I like Monday`s best
Right now the calfs of my legs are so sore from Sat race I can hardly walk, getting old I guess.

[russ]

Count me in,I've thought that might be something that could be successful here.

[mhoward]

I might could do it.

[shamen]

I would support it and be happy to do some grunt work.
What Illia said is right on target. Many sport clubs do this all the time. I am familiar with quite a few clubs  across the country that paddle, run, or bike that do this on regularly basis. It is an easy way to encourage and develop newbies as well as to hone one's own skills.
Three of the major running events (Winter Cross Country Series, Summer Road Series, and the Five Mile Classic) in Memphis developed this way over a period of time. All of them started with a bunch of us gathering informally at specific times and places and doing what we loved to do and inviting others to join us.
The Triangle Paddle Club in North Carolina does this and they have a mighty impressive set of racers now.
Peace vincent/shamen

[Jason]

i'd be very interested to see exactly what other clubs are doing.  it sounds like an informal sprint on a weekday might work.  i don't want to conflict with bb, and consecutive boating nights might not go over very well at home.  phil, could you make it on thursdays?  i'd like to reach some of the other boaters who do not read this board, any suggestions?

[runs2xs]

I would be interested in that as well.  It would give me some incentive to get off my ass and train. 

[madapple]

Rob Jeffers, Michael, and I have been sorta talking about doing this for the past couple of years. I think Rob or Michael had picked out some locations at one point.

I might be up for it... but I barely make it out for boatball or anything else anymore so I am not going to say definatley yes.

[Jason]

so brad is definitely in.  any other ideas (time, place, etc.)?

[DrSonny]

I like E. Memphis 'cause that's where I am.  e.g. Patriot Lake, Wolf R. etc.

If people want to go out on the river, I could see that too.  It would just be hard to make it through rush hour traffic to get downtown.  At this time, there is no great place to park and launch downtown either.

[shamen]

Whenever wherever I will participate if at all possible.
I am out East so East is easier for me. The level on  the Wolf is not dependable especially in the summer. Others using Patriot in the summer may be an issue but that depends on the time/day. The size of Patriot may be an issue depending on what we do.
Downtown can be hard to get to but might be easier than trying to go East at that time of day.  I like the idea of the Harbor because it is sheltered and it is more inviting for newer folks than being out on the MR. The length of the Harbor allows for some extended time trials without a lot of turning. However launch and parking are a real issue right now. And I do not see that being resolved very easily. I do think that there is a possibility of launching from the cobble stones which would mean lots of parking also.
The day, well there is no perfect day.  I do not want to conflict with BB on Tues. and a big majority of Wed. would be undoable for me.
I do not think we can know in advance the right time and place we may just have to experiment over a period of time.
Peace vincent/shamen

[mhoward]

It would just be hard to make it through rush hour traffic to get downtown.

It would be an easier drive than what I have going to boatball.  There is no traffic westbound on Sam Cooper/North Pkwy.. All the traffic is going east..