Great Britain Wild Water Racing

Present at the meeting were Peter Schofield (Chair), Chris Bolton, Melissa Simons, Dave Belbin, Andy Goodsell, John Embrey, Jamie Christie, Stuart Smith, Mike Mason, Jon Royle, Paul Anderson.
Apologies were received from Graham Froggett and Martin Streeter.

Minutes of the last meeting and matters arising

The minutes were agreed as a true report of the last meeting (proposed Jon Royle, seconded John Embrey).
DB reported that he had not received formal notification of the funding for the year, but had no reason to believe the budget for the Senior Team would not be £28,000, as per the last minutes.
The only outstanding work with regard to the calendar was the finalising of the finish point of the Tryweryn Sprint, as it depended on a slalom taking place at the same time. It might be either above or below the Ski-Jump.
Action: Competition subcommittee

Regional and Club Championships
The original proposal had been changed to allow Combined Services to count as the preferred region for Services entries. Clubs would be taken from paddlers’ entry cards, and regions from the club, unless the paddler informed the ranking list compiler otherwise.
Shuttle Services at races No action had yet been taken on this, but the Competition subcommittee would think further about it. It was noted that a shuttle service might involve minibuses and trailers, or a more informal arrangement.
Action: Competition subcommittee

Junior World Championships 2002
No bids had been submitted to the ICF by the deadline. The ICF had suggested informally that a budget of £15,000 might be adequate, rather than the original proposal of £75-100,000. The WCA had been very supportive, and the Sports Council might be more prepared to cover the full cost at £15,000, and would therefore be approached again. PS and CB would also approach the ICF to make a bid conditional upon a tight budget. It was agreed that it would probably be worth paying someone to organise the event. In terms of dates, the end of July would be best with regard to the water at the Tryweryn. Although August would be best for television, it was agreed that the chances of TV coverage were so low that we should not plan for this.
Action: PS/CB

Subcommittee structure and development plan

A development plan had to be submitted to the BCU in order to obtain funding. It was agreed to adopt the draft plan currently on the website as the formal development plan.
It was noted that Joe Walmsley had offered, in principle, to supply Double Dutch paddles and boats at reduced cost, in certain circumstances and conditions, to assist development of WWR. It was agreed that this was of interest.
Action: Development s/c to contact JW to develop idea further

The Development subcommittee would be chaired by Paul Anderson in future. Howard Blackman had been appointed as BCU Regional Development Officer in the Midlands, and was keen to help with development of WWR in the area.
It was agreed that it would be helpful to flag up to the subcommittee chairs (John Embrey – Competition, Andy Goodsell – Excellence and Paul Anderson – Development) any actions arising from Exec meetings. It was noted that the subcommittee chairs may coopt people from outside the Exec onto the subcommittees.
Action: MS to flag up s/c actions to chairs; s/c chairs to coopt as necessary; MS to track achievements of s/cs over the year with the chairs.

Wavehoppers

The Wavehoppers were scattered around the country at clubs. Currently MS was acting as co-ordinator, but in the long-term, it would make more sense for this role to sit with the Development s/c.
Action: MS to draw up a list of the whereabouts of the Wavehoppers and circulate for comment

Team issues

Paul Anderson was accepted as Junior Coach (proposed Chris Bolton, seconded Jon Royle).
A letter had been received from Rob Pumphrey querying the potential use of the percentages table published in the yearbook for selection purposes. It was noted that the percentages were guidelines to assist in the event of the selectors needing to use discretion in making a selection. The purpose was to ensure that the Exec could explain selection policy to the BCU and Sports Council if necessary. The aim of selection was to send people to Championships who would be within 10% of the winner, and it was noted that this would not necessarily be achieved by selecting those within 5% of the top British paddler in that class.
Action: MS to write to Rob Pumphrey in reply to his email, to explain the above

It was noted that all paddlers wishing to be considered for selection should have informed AG by now.
The BCU Child Protection Policy was circulated for comment. Some pages were missing, but it was agreed to adopt it for WWR, subject to any amendments once it had been read in full by the Exec members.
Action: PS to circulate the missing text and Exec members to send any amendments to MS asap

Competition issues

It was agreed that CB would produce an informal ranking list for sprint events for 2000, based on the best 3 races (of 5 or 6). The informal ranking list for classic events would be based on the best 5 races (of 9 or 10).
Action: CB to produce ranking lists

It was noted that the issue of separate sprint and classic series should be debated at the AGM. However, since the calendar is close to final by November, any radical changes which involved changing the calendar should not be introduced until 2002.
Action: Competition s/c to consider motion for AGM

Communications issues

The entry card had been redesigned following comments from Exec members, to allow more space in boxes for names etc. It needed to be printed asap, to allow for use this season.
Action: CB to circulate revised card; Exec members to respond asap

Three potential logo designs were shown, and it was agreed that none were ideal, but that two were usable, for different purposes.
Action: Comments to be sent to Mike Steele (copied to MS) by the weekend; Mike S to send revised logo to AG and GF asap for printing on team gear.

It would be possible to buy an internet domain name for around £50, as opposed to the previous potential cost of £200. It was agreed to look into the possibilities: wwr.org.uk would be ideal.
Action: CB to investigate

Future meetings

The next meeting would be held at Nottingham on 10th June (Trent Div B and Nottingham marathon). The following meeting would be on 23rd September in Nottingham (Trent Div A and Paddlefest weekend). Both these meetings would be at Nottingham Kayak Club, subject to confirmation nearer the time. The AGM was on 4th November in Llangollen.
Any other business

Promotion from Div B to Div A It was noted that recently, some of those promoted did not seem to be ready to be in Div A (notably Susan Templeton and Jamie Oughton). It was agreed that further thought was needed about the promotion system, and that in the meantime, promotion should be recommended by organisers but only conferred by the ranking list compiler. The current numbers would be taken as guidelines. In the meantime, Susan Templeton and Jamie Oughton would be contacted and told that they could continue to paddle in Div B.
Action: Competition s/c to consider; JE to contact ST and JO

DB noted that there had been no invoices received from Canolfan Tryweryn with respect to last year’s races. When these were received, payment would be made.
MS noted that the start at the Washburn Sprint event had been rather chaotic, and the eddy at the bridge very difficult to make, especially for C2s.
Action: Competition s/c to discuss with organisers before any more Washburn sprints organised

Post meeting note – JE has been in touch with Washburn committee, and applauded their proposals to block the left hand bridge arch, and to create a pool between the bridge and the main weir. He has also suggested some pruning of trees on the lower part of the river.

CB noted that the results from Grandtully and Thistlebrig had been delayed due to some inconsistencies in start times. The organiser had been away, and would need to be contacted on return. It was noted that there were issues about accuracy of timing which would need to be put into the organisers’ handbook when it is revised.
Action: CB to contact Kelso Riddell; Competition s/c to revisit timing accuracy when revising organisers’ handbook.

It was noted that the new timing equipment had been bought, and was used at the Washburn. There was no clock at the finish, as this would have cost £1000.
Action: AG to look into options for a board at the finish to show finish times

Selection committees The Junior Selection Committee would consist of MS (Chair), PA, GF, JC and AG. It would meet at the Awe, in the café at the finish, and the paddlers would be informed the following Wednesday. The Senior Selection Committee would consist of PS (Chair), AG, CB, Martin S, and James Morris, and would meet at the Tryweryn on 13th May. The paddlers would be informed immediately after the meeting.
There would be an ICF judges exam at the Senior World Championships. Anyone going to the Championships was invited to sit the exam. Applications to do so should be with AG by 1 April.
PS reported back on BCU matters. He said that Martin Streeter would attend the BCU’s coaching review on behalf of WWR. The annual report of the BCU Board was circulated. The BCU AGM had voted in favour of federalisation, and the ECA would therefore be set up. Exec meeting business would need to split into British and English matters for the future.
Action: MS to ensure future agendas and minutes reflect English/British split

CB raised a concern on behalf of Alistair Bayliss about the BCU, whose admin staff do not seem to have much information about WWR.
Action: PS to discuss with BCU

MM suggested the idea of a picture calendar for WWR for 2001.
Action: PS to discuss with Mike Steele

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BRITISH CANOE UNION WILD WATER RACING EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING

10th June 2000 at Nottingham Kayak Club, Nottingham

Attendance

Present at the meeting were Peter Schofield (Chair), Chris Bolton, Melissa Simons, Dave Belbin, John Embrey, and Jon Royle.

Apologies were received from Graham Froggett, Andy Goodsell, Jamie Christie, Stuart Smith, Mike Mason, Paul Anderson and Martin Streeter.
Minutes of the last meeting and matters arising

The minutes, subject to a minor amendment, previously agreed in correspondence, were agreed as a true report of the last meeting (proposed John Embrey, seconded Dave Belbin).

Junior World Championships 2002 No bids had been submitted to the ICF. The Exec bid was with UK Sport, and had been since Easter. PS would follow this up, since if UK Sport refused, it would be necessary to apply to Sport for Wales. If support was received, PS would go to the Exec and to the Sports Management Committee, to ask for a small amount of funding for an event manager (£2500 each). Canolfan Tryweryn were supportive and had suggested that we could make a presentation to local commercial interests, in conjunction with their own presentation on development of Tryweryn. Mike Steele was already working on plans for fundraising, and it had been suggested that the local Assembly member be approached to act as non-executive chairman of the organising committee.
Action: PS

Entry card This had been revised, taking into account comments from JR and JC.
Action: CB to arrange printing and distribution. New cards will need to be sent to organisers so that people entering on old cards can be asked to sign the declaration.

Domain name www.wwr.org.uk has already been registered. It was agreed to register www.wildwater.org.uk. There might be future difficulties in taking the domain name if the site moved to a different provider, but it was not clear if this would be the case. It was agreed to register www.wildwater.org.uk anyway.
Action: CB

Logo This was finalised and being used. Mike Steele had an electronic copy, which he should send to CB (for the website) and MS (for a letterhead). AG had some printed on stickers, and should be asked to get some more.
Action: Mike Steele, AG

Timing equipment In the absence of AG, discussion on this was deferred to the next meeting.
Action: MS to put on agenda for next meeting

BCU staff PS had brought up at the Sport Management Committee the lack of knowledge of BCU staff of canoeing in general and wild water racing in particular. The BCU explained that these staff were administrative staff and not expected to know anything about canoeing. It was pointed out that BCU should in that case avoid putting such people in a position where they would respond to questions about canoeing. It was agreed that MS and CB would update an information leaflet and send it to the BCU for them to use as a handout in case of inquiries. MS would also inform canoeing magazines of the contact point for wild water racing.
Action: MS/CB

Excellence issues

There had been some discussion on the website about the selection policy. It would be necessary to carry out a formal review of the selection process for this year, covering the selection criteria, understanding of these within the sport, other selection systems including those used by both other branches of canoeing and other sports, the concept of discretion, and the process of communicating the selection criteria and the results of selection. The review should consider the issues of preselection, concessions made to selection criteria, eg for U23s, and feedback from paddlers and the Sports Council, via John Anderson. The review should be carried out by the Exec, based on a paper produced by the Excellence s/c, which would consider all the above, and provide a range of options for selection next year. The paper would be circulated at least a week in advance of the next Exec meeting.
Action: MS to solicit paddlers’ views (via CB - website)

AG/Excellence s/c to prepare review/options paper

Competition issues

Organisers’ handbook Subject to minor amendments the draft and summary checklist circulated by MS were agreed.
Action: MS to send to all organisers

Calendar It was agreed that access for the Tryweryn races for this year had not been acceptable. It might be better to ask for just two weekends, and try to get better access for both, rather than three with less access. It would be ideal to have all-day access to the bottom site (Tyn-y-Cornel to Bala) and access to the top site late afternoon on Saturday, when a sprint event might be held. It would be worth looking at the potential to hold the two runs of a sprint race on a different section of the river, with for example, a Graveyard sprint followed by section lower down the river. This would permit use of a short access slot on the top site. A race from Tyn-y-Cornel, finishing above Bala Mill, was considered possible as a Div A race, and might improve attendance.. The success or not of the Junior Worlds bid would impact on the ideal timing, but April/May would probably be ideal for selection anyway. Two Washburn events would be held, one in spring and one autumn.
Action: JE to discuss with Canolfan Tryweryn

Tryweryn 24/25 June This was planned as a Div B and RNKA race and a Junior Training / Coaching Course weekend, although the Junior Worlds team would not be attending. Dave Gibson from RNKA was planning to cancel as he only had access from 8.30-10am each day, which was not sufficient. JE would speak to AG about the training camp, so that Canolfan Tryweryn could be informed if all events were cancelled.
Action: JE to speak to AG, DG and Canolfan Tryweryn

Guided racing It was agreed that this was, in principle, a good idea, as it would help introduce people to the sport and to new rivers. At Div Bs, any guiding would be allowed, including in races, and at Div As, guiding would only be allowed in practice runs. This would avoid the need for formal rules on the operation of the scheme. It would be necessary to check the legal position before working out a way to put people in touch with potential guides.
Action: MS send revised proposal to BCU to check legal aspects

Helmets There is now a helmets policy for 2002, recommending that everyone wears CE approved helmets. Having this rule may increase the duty of care on organisers. Papers were tabled from the BCU on the implementation of and guidelines for safe practice at recreational canoeing events.
Action: MS to circulate guidelines to organisers and duty of care paper to Exec

Promotion into Div A The ideas expressed in CB’s paper were endorsed. The points required for promotion into Div A should be considered by the Competition subcommittee. There would be no demotions from Div A based on results, except that the Exec would reserve the right to demote people who were a danger at Div A races
Action: Competition s/c to produce motion for AGM

Other ideas The Competition s/c should consider the issues of separate sprint and classic series, guided racing, shuttles at races (in conjunction with the Development s/c). It was agreed that it would be important to co-opt a non-Exec member to help out, or another Exec member to Chair the s/c, since all the Exec members on the s/c already had too much on. In particular JE did not have time to chair the s/c and manage the Calendar.
Action: Competition s/c to consider co-opting someone, and to come up with motions for AGM as appropriate

Communications issues

Picture calendar It was agreed that this might be a good idea, as it might raise money. Mike Steele should be asked to look into possibilities for photos and advertising.
Action: PS to ask Mike Steele to look into possibilities for a picture calendar

Yearbook Many of these were missing in the post. Those for surnames P-Z should be reposted, since it seemed that these were the majority of those missing.
Action: MS

Paddlefest Mike Steele should be asked to put together a stand for Paddlefest 2000.
Action: PS to speak to Mike Steele

Future meetings

The next meeting would be held at Nottingham on 23rd September (Trent Div A and Paddlefest weekend), at Nottingham Kayak Club, subject to confirmation nearer the time. It would consider Selection, the calendar and the AGM agenda. The AGM would be held on 4th November in Llangollen.
Action: MS to book room for AGM in Llangollen

Any other business

There were no items of any other business.

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BRITISH CANOE UNION WILD WATER RACING EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING

23rd SEPTEMBER 2000 NOTTINGHAM KAYAK CLUB, NOTTINGHAM

Attendance

Present at the meeting were Peter Schofield (Chair), Chris Bolton, Melissa Simons, Dave Belbin, John Embrey, Jamie Christie, Mike Mason, Paul Anderson and Jon Royle.

Apologies were received from Graham Froggett, Andy Goodsell, Stuart Smith, and Martin Streeter.
Minutes of the last meeting and matters arising

The minutes were agreed as a true report of the last meeting (proposed Peter Schofield, seconded Chris Bolton).

Junior World Championships 2002
The bid was with the Welsh Sports Council. PS had met Richard Lee and Sport Wales about a month ago, and provided more information on the benefit of the Worlds to wild water racing in Wales. The result of the bid is expected in early or mid October. Canolfan Tryweryn had told PS that the water had been arranged.

Entry card
No further progress had been made
Action: CB to send to Mike Mason for next weekend

Timing equipment
MS reported that AG had been unable to find any equipment to display finish times for less than £1000. It was noted that such equipment would be needed for the Junior Worlds, and had therefore been included in the bid.

Guided racing
No further progress had been made.
Action: MS to send documentation to BCU lawyers

Excellence issues
It had been agreed that a review of selection would be carried out at this meeting, and AG and CB had previously circulated papers for discussion.

Process PS noted that the process of selection was as important as the actual decision in the effect that it had on paddlers. It was agreed that there should be a system or process to help and support paddlers through adverse decisions.

Selection in other canoesports and other countries MS and DB outlined selection systems in sprint, marathon and slalom, and commented that there were two main issues to note: selection had taken place at international events to ensure standards and there had been a perception in the sport that the selection committee had made their choice well in advance of the selection events. It was noted that other countries, especially France and Germany, regularly selected their teams for championships much later than GBR, and this year only the week before the Worlds.

Discretion It was agreed that some discretionary places were necessary to allow for illness, injury etc. affecting performance at the selection race. It was further agreed that the purpose of discretion was to allow selection of an athlete who would reasonably be expected to achieve selection as one of the "first past the post" places in the selection race, based on their results so far that year, including international results, if appropriate, but had failed to produce the necessary result at the selection event for some reason.

Communication It was agreed that the results of selection should not, as a general rule, be announced on the day of the selection committee meeting. Instead, the outcome of the selection committee should be a clear decision about who was to speak to whom and by when, since someone should speak to those who had not been selected first, and ensure that they were given adequate support in understanding the decision. Selection decisions should either be communicated in writing or reinforced in that way, and if the decision were communicated face-to-face, encouraging a coach or friend/parent to be present should also be considered. It would also be necessary to ensure that any changes in published selection policy were communicated to all athletes going for selection in advance of the selection race. It was further agreed that where possible, selection forms should be completed electronically.
Action: JR to simplify senior selection form, and PA junior one

Standards It was necessary to ensure that all athletes selected were of an adequate standard, currently defined as having the potential to be within 10% of the winner of the championship in question. It had not been possible to do this in a scientific way. It was therefore agreed that decisions as to whether an athlete was of this standard should be made by the relevant selection committee.

Selection criteria for 2001 – junior Pre-World Championships It was agreed that junior selection for 2001 should take place over all the Classic races in the Spring series up to a defined cut-off date (these races to be listed by name in the yearbook for clarity), with the selection committee considering each paddler’s top three results. All places would be by discretion. Paddlers with any questions should speak to their class coach, who should also be talking to them throughout the spring series about their results comparative to others aiming to be selected.

Selection criteria for 2001 – senior Pre-World Championships and European Championships It was agreed that senior selection should be held at a single race, with the first three past the post selected by right. The fourth place (for Europeans) and fourth, fifth and sixth places (for Pre-Worlds) would be by discretion, based on results in the spring series, with additional weighting on the selection race. Discretion for the Pre-Worlds would also consider development potential.

Selection criteria for 2001 – senior World Cup races It was agreed that senior selection should be held at two races, one Sprint and one Classic, and that the first three from each race, plus up to three more by discretion, to a maximum of six places, would be selected. Discretion would also consider development potential.
Competition issues

Calendar JE tabled a first draft calendar.
Action: All to send any comments to JE asap

Ross Pearton had suggested that the deciding event for the National Championship Series should not be the British Open, as this was too early in the season. It was agreed that as the British Open had originally been used when it was the last event in the series, it would make sense to leave the deciding event until later in the season. The Dee in November would be an appropriate race.
Action: JE to ensure yearbook reflects this change

Future meetings

The next meeting would be held before the AGM on 4th November in Llangollen.
Action: MS to book room for AGM in Llangollen and circulate AGM agenda and motions for comment in advance

Any other business

Chris Bolton informed the meeting that he would be resigning from the Exec at the AGM. PS expressed the regrets of the whole committee at this news, and thanked both Chris and Jill for all the work they had done for wild water racing over the years.

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