I worry that my comments are all negative, and that is not my point, I am on here to move our sport forward.
So I'll stick my neck out, here is my next positive suggestion:
My suggested race calendar for next year 2013
2/3 March -
Tryweryn Prem Qualification
Tryweryn Prem Semi Finals/Finals + Div 1
16/17 March
SheppertonDouble Div 1
30/31 March
Grandtully - Prem 2
Prem 3
6/7 April
Grantully Double Div 1 + Pan celtic
3/4 May
HPP - Prem 4 Qualification
Prem Semi Finals/Finals + Div 1
17/18May
HPP Double Div 1 + Inter Regionals/Panceltic
1/2 June
Tryweryn Prem 5
Div 1
15/16 June
Washburn Div 1 Double
6/7 July
Cardiff Prem 6
Cardiff Div 1
24/25 August
Grandtully Double Div 1
31Aug/ 1 Sept
Hpp McConkey Prem 7 Qualifcation
Prem SemiFinals /Finals + Div 1
28/29 Sept
Teeside - Prem Qualification 8
Prem Semi Finals /Finals + Div 1
5/6 Oct
Llandysul Double Div 1
26/27 Oct
Serpents Tail Double Div 1
3/4 Nov
Lee Valley - British Open/Prem 9 Qualification
Semi Finals/Finals
Total Number of Prems - 9
Total Number of Premier Finals - 5
Total Number of Div 1s - 19
At this point Nick, I would say the slalom committee, DOES need to do more to address this issue. So I have come with a suggestion for people to discuss/criticise.
Clubs/WCA/SCA/ECA all work under the guidance of the Slalom committee. If the ACM/Slalom Committee say we need to put on 5 Championship Prem races, and aim for a Prem each month (lets aim for the first weekend of each month, with a Div 1 on the sunday, (similar to the Stafford and Stone - McConkey Race), but in addition we should also have an A and B finals, so semi finalists get two runs on Sunday.
(Div 1 paddlers can judge on the Saturday hence getting more practice/paddling - Prems who fail to qualify can judge on the sunday, or go home, their choice (I am aware I am not in the best position to speak for these people, but I believe this would be appropriate opportunity and race experience for all, to compare themselves)
This type of race calendar would create a structure for all, and would do more to retain people in the sport.
We would have Prems to inspire div 1's, coach and share their knowledge and experience of an evening/day. at all the championship races and Prems may get into the habit of doing this at traditional PRem/1's
We would have Prem's to demonstrate the best way to do the courses.
We would have more water time for all.
We we would have a saturday evening when most would expect to be close to the race venue, and hence create more opportunity for socialising.
We would not need open divisions, everyone in Div1/Prem could see their level, and their progression, and could easily see the comparable levels of skill.
The events would be more comparable to international format. This prepares our elite who aim to do well abroad. This also provides more obvious racing time for Prem paddlers.
This is better for Div 1 paddlers, they still come and race, but they have an expectation to come to learn something, and that the courses may be tougher, than double div1's (MAY not WILL), this improves ability again.
There is a consistent number of race weekends for Div'1's,
There is a consistent number of races for Prems, not all bunched together.
This framework also provides a structure to put all the DIv 2's, 3's and 4's into as well, giving every other weekend, as a likely time when these races could occur, as well as the odd few being run against div1's/prems as they are already.
So what are the objections?
What do we need to do, to be able to do this?