MINUTES OF THE BRITISH CANOE UNION WILD WATER RACING EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING,
held at Current Trends, Nottingham on Tuesday 23rd September 1997 at 19.30

Present:
Matt Caunt Chairman
Dave Belbin Treasurer
Howard Blackman Development Coach
Neil Blackman
Chris Bolton
Graham Froggett Junior Team Manager
Stuart Smith
Andy Goodsell Secretary

Apologies:
Neil Martin Vice - Chairman
John Anderson Competition Coach
John Handyside Senior Team Manager
Jeff Parker
Mike Tordoff ICF Wild Water Racing Committee

In Attendance:
Jamie Christie Nottingham Kayak Club

1. MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING

The minutes of the last meeting were read and agreed as a true record.

2. MATTERS ARISING

a. West Yorkshire Wild Water Racing Squad.

The Development Coach has been in contact with Ian Needham, regarding the development of the West Yorkshire Wild Racing Squad, and with
consultation with the Wavehopper Co-ordinator will be looking at Development redistributing Wavehoppers to the Leeds area.

b. BCU Paddlefest 97.

The Senior Team Manager, Competition Coach and Development Coach will attend the BCU Paddlefest 97, and represent Wild Water Racing's
interests during this weekend.

c. Wild Water World.

The Autumn edition of Wild Water World will be ready for distribution within the next week.

3. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT

a. Canolfan Tryweryn.

The Senior Team Manager attended a meeting with the WCA and Canolfan Tryweryn recently. The provisional Wild Water Racing weekends for the
1998 season was as follows, although the areas of access for these races is not known at present:

14th / 15th March 1998 25th / 26th April 1998

30th / 31st May 1998 27th / 28th June 1998

4th / 5th July 1998 Chairman

b. BCU Facilities Strategy.

The Chairman would be attending a meeting on Saturday 28th September 1997. The aim of this meeting will be to identify the nominated Regional Centre's and development of the Training / Wild Water Racing facilities, including:

i. Wild Water Race Venues.

ii. Wild Water Racing Training Venues.

iii. Training Sites. Chairman

c. Senior & Junior World / European Championships.

There are currently discussions taking place within the ICF & ECA regarding to the joint hosting of the Senior and Junior World / European Championships. The Wild Water Racing Executive has the following reservations against these proposals:

i. Not all Championships Courses are suitable for the Junior Athletes.

ACTION

ii. Additional manpower and resources would be required, both by the visiting teams and at the Championship venue.

iii. All Junior Championships should be held outside of the School Terms.

d. Sports Funding.

The outlook for increased funding towards Wild Water Racing for the medium term is looking positive. Unfortunately, for the short term there will be no additional funding towards Wild Water Racing.

4. SECRETARY'S REPORT

The Secretary has received confirmation from Matlock Canoe Club, accepting our proposals for Wild Water Races on the River Derwent. Matlock Canoe Club are currently planning the following Wild Water Races on the River Derwent:

i. Saturday 9th May 1998 - Division B Sprint Race.

ii. Saturday 6th February 1999 - Division B Classic Race. Secretary

5. TREASURER'S REPORT

The revenue from the Wavehoppers continues to decline, the Development Development
Coach would contact Gaybo to discuss a new marketing strategy. Coach

6. TEAM MANAGER'S REPORTS

a. Senior Team Manager.

A Squad Training Camp is planned for the weekend 29th / 30th November 1997, with an additional training camp planned for January / February 1998. These training camps will be held on the River Eden, with accommodation and the near by Centre Parc. Athletes wishing to attend these training camps should contact the Senior Team Manager, with their accommodation requirements.

b. Junior Team Manager.

i. The Junior Team Manager has received details from the SCA Wild Water Racing Committee of training camps being held in Scotland during December 1997 and January 1998. Full details of these training camps are available from either Nigel Royle or Cynthia Berry.

ii. The Junior Team Manager has also received an invitation to use the White Water Course at Holme Pierrepont on an opportunity basis, during the weekends when the course has been booked by the Great Britain Slalom Team. These weekends are:

11th / 12th January 1998 20th / 21st February 1998

7. DEVELOPMENT COACH

a. Paddlesport Meeting.

i. The Development Coach has recently attended a BCU Paddlesport meeting. The Paddlesport meeting is aiming to introduce 'Paddle Power', a Young Paddlers scheme aimed at the following age groups:

Age 7 to 11
Age 11 to 16

ii. There are also plans to introduce awards for race times, similar to the old Leven Tests, for all disciplines. The Development Coach is currently calculating times for Wild Water Races on the River Tryweryn and Washburn.

b. Development Squad.

i. The Development Coach is currently looking at a Development programme for the 1998 season, this programme would be open to all age groups and replace the Junior Development Squad.

ii. Jill Bolton has agreed to continue to co-ordinate the administrative arrangements for this Squad and Simon Moore is prepare to assist with the coaching at these weekends.

iii. Dates for these weekend will be planned once the 1998 Wild Water Racing Calendar is known.

c. Sponsorship - Sprint Race.

Simon Moore has received details of a Company who may be interested in sponsoring Wild Water Racing. The Chairman agreed to follow up this opportunity with Simon Moore.

8. 1997 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS

The Secretary has received details from the Campsite owner at Bourg St Maurice, and will arrange to collect all outstanding campfees.

9. 1997 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

a. The following nominations were put forward by the Executive
Committee:

i. Chairman to retire 1999 Matt Caunt

ii. Treasurer to retire 1999 Dave Belbin

iii. Executive Members to retire 1999 Graham Froggett
Stuart Smith
Chris Bolton
to retire 1998 Jamie Christie Secretary

b. The following rule changes were agreed at the Executive Committee meeting held on the 8th April 1997, require ratification:

i. Race Cancellations.

In the event that either the Event Organiser or members of the BCU Wild Water Racing Executive Committee believe there to be an 'Unreasonable Risk of Safety' this race would be cancelled. This ruling would be applied to the following categories, if required:

a. All Competitors entered in the Under 18 and Younger age group classes. Including those competitors over 18, but still racing as Under 18's for their final year.

Or

b. All Competitors.

ii. Rule 16.23 Timing - Add Allowable Timing Accuracy.

Timing Equipment / Description Allowable Timing Accuracy

Beeping Clock / Hand held Stop watch at 1 Second.
Start and Finish.

Beeping Clock / Hand held Stop watch at 0.1 Second.
Start, Photo-Electric System at Finish.

Photo-Electric System at Start and Finish. 0.01 Second.

10. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

a. Wild Water Racing Inventory.

Neil Blackman has produced a provisional inventory of Wild Water Racing Executive equipment. Details of any additional items including serial numbers where required should be passed to Neil Blackman by the next Executive Committee meeting.

b. River Improvements / Maintenance.

Both the River Tryweryn and Washburn have a number of over hanging tress which obstruct the racing lines prior to the start of the 1998 season. Other specific items are listed below:

i. River Tryweryn.

A line of rocks have been placed across the river and obstruct the racing line, just above Tyn-y-cornel Bridge.

A large fallen tree over hangs the racing line near to the large lay-by above Bala Mill.

ii. River Washburn.

The positioning of 2 large boulders below the 2nd Weir may reduce boat damage over this fall.

The Chairman will pass on these suggestions / recommendations on to the respective committees. Neil Blackman will look into arranging Chairman some weekends, when the over hanging trees could be removed.

11. ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE NEXT METING

The next meeting of the BCU Wild Water Racing Committee will be held at the Nottingham Leisure Services Hut, Nottingham on Tuesday 11th November 1997 at 19.30.

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