Great Britain Wild Water Racing

Neil Blackman Newark Racers Vice-Chairman
Jamie Christie Nottingham KC Exec
Chris Bolton Manchester CC Exec
Andy Goodsell Senior Team Manager
Martin Streeter Mens K1 Coach
Stuart Smith Acting Secretary
Simon Wright Lincoln CC
Joe Walmsley RAFCA
Nigel Stevenson Kesteven CC
Ed Cole Battersea CC
John Embrey Burton CC
Chris Skellern Worcester CC
Ian Tordoff Chester CC
James Wingfield Dyffryn Conwy Paddlers
Kelso Riddell Forth CC
Mike Tordoff ICF WWR Committee Member
Debbie Hales Durham Kayak Club
Mary-Jean Smith Lancaster
Carl Foody Chelmsford
Mick Gillham Birmingham
Terry Walling Shepperton
James Lee Woodmill CC Editor 'Wild Water World'
Pete Ford Tonbridge CC
Yael Chance Wey KC
Melissa Simons Civil Service CC

Apologies:

Howard Blackman National Development Coach
Dave Belbin Treasurer
Graham Froggett Junior Team Manager
Matt Caunt Chairman
Nigel Royle Glasgow KC
Jon Royle River Gods
Michael Mason
Ross Pearton Herts

In attendance:

Richard Lee Chief Executive of WCA Guest speaker
Loel Collins Manager of Canolfyn Guest speaker
Tryweryn
Stuart Fisher 'Canoeist' Magazine

Minutes of the last Annual General Meeting
Simon Wright proposed and Nigel Stevenson seconded the acceptance of the 1997 Annual General Meeting minutes as a true record

Action: Carried unanimously

Chairman's Report
Neil Blackman (Vice -Chairman and acting Chairman) congratulated paddlers for finding the new venue for the AGM meeting and explained that Matt Caunt had decided to stand down as Chairman. There are currently no candidates for a permanent Chairman and it is envisaged that the Exec will function under the Vice-Chairman until a suitable Chairman is identified.

Neil thanked John Anderson who had stood down from being the WWR National Competition Coach in order to take up a new position of BCU Performance Director. There is currently a vacancy for a Mens Junior K1 coach and anyone interested in assisting in that role should make this known.

Thanks were also given to those members of the Exec (in particular: Howard Blackman, Andy Goodsell, Chris Bolton, Dave Belbin, Martin Streeter) who had spent many hours putting together the World Class Performance Plan (the document produced for Wild Water Racing in order to apply for lottery funding). The result of this application is still not known.

Thanks also to the organisers of the many races throughout the year and also to the paddlers for supporting these events.

Secretary's Report
Andy Goodsell reported the attendance at the 7 WWR Exec meetings throughout the year

(excluding the one immediately prior to the 1998 AGM)

7 meetings: Jamie Christie

6 meetings: Dave Belbin, Neil Blackman, Andy Goodsell

5 meetings: Chris Bolton

4 meetings: Graham Froggett, Matt Caunt, Howard Blackman, John Anderson, Stuart Smith

3 meetings: Martin Streeter

1 meeting: Jeff Parker

Treasurer's Report and Adoption of Accounts
The Treasurer had prepared the draft financial report for the year ending 31st October 1998 which was distributed at the meeting.

Comments were made from the floor concerning the seemingly healthy reserves of £36,446 and the excess of income over expenditure of £2,885.

Kelso Riddell proposed and Melissa Simons seconded the acceptance of the draft financial report for the year ending 31st October 1998.

Decision: Carried Unanimously

Team Manager and Coaching Reports
Senior Team Manager's Report

Please see enclosed report

Junior Team Manager's Report

Graham Froggett had sent his apologies to the meeting. In his absence Martin Streeter summed up the exceptional performance achieved at the Junior World Championships in July. Martin Streeter commended the Juniors for the professional way in which they approached the Championships and thanked Graham Froggett and Howard and Sue Blackman for organising and running a very successful trip despite the constant rain and the extremely rough conditions on the Lofer river.

National Development Coach's Report

Please see enclosed report

Election of the Secretary
Nominations: Stuart Smith Wild Water Racing Exec

Ian Tordoff proposed and Joe Walmsley seconded the nomination for Stuart Smith to serve as Secretary, retiring in 2000

Decision: Carried Unanimously

Election of Executive Committee Members
There were 5 positions available on the Exec - 3 positions serving for 2 years and 2 positions serving 1 year arising from the following:

Three members were due to retire 1998: Neil Blackman, Jamie Christie, Jeff Parker - this creates 3 vacancies on the Exec for 2 years

Graham Froggett decided to step down from being a voting member but to continue to attend Exec meetings as Junior Team Manager - creates a vacancy on the Exec for 1 year only (Graham was due to retire 1999)

As Stuart Smith was elected Secretary - creates a vacancy on the Exec for 1 year only (Stuart was due to retire 1999)
Nominations: Neil Blackman retiring 2000 Wild Water Racing Exec

Jamie Christie retiring 2000 Wild Water Racing Exec

John Embrey retiring 2000 Wild Water Racing Exec

Michael Mason retiring 1999 Wild Water Racing Exec

Jon Royle retiring 1999 Wild Water Racing Exec

Ian Tordoff proposed and Simon Wright seconded the above nominations for Executive Committee Members

Decision: Carried Unanimously

To consider the following:
a. Proposal to change from an U21 to U23 age group (consistent with other disciplines)

Decision: Carried Unanimously

b. Proposal to increase Race entry fees for Div A and Championship Events as follows (to allow Exec to assist with funding of water releases where necessary): Div B entry fees to remain unchanged

Proposed fees Current Proposed
Senior £8 £10
U23 £8 £8
U18 £4 £5

Decision: Carried on a majority vote 18 in favour, 1 against

c. Proposal to amend the amount of the race entry fee which is paid by the race organiser to the WWR Exec. It is proposed to fix the amount at 50% of the entry fee paid by the competitor. Therefore if an U23 paddler pays £8 to enter a Div A race, £4 would be paid by the race organiser to the WWR Exec.

Decision: Carried Unanimously

d. Proposal to re-establish the Div A and Div B ranking systems with promotion to Div A and demotion to Div B. Paddlers who are ranked in Div A would compete in Open classes at Div B events and vice versa.

For MK1, competitors with 500 points or more at the end of the '98 season or who have achieved an MS of less than 250 in at least one Div A race to be ranked in Div A for '99 season, the remainder to be in Div B. Promotion from Div B to Div A at races will be 1 promoted per 8 competitors or part of 8.

For WK1, C1 and C2, promotion to be based on a percentage of the time of the last promoted MK1.

There is nothing (except safety considerations) to stop race organisers holding Div A and Div B events together.

Decision: Carried * on a majority vote 12 in favour, 10 against

* subject to paddlers being able to apply to the Exec for ranking status in Div A

e. Proposal to Executive to amend layout of sections 14, 15 and 16 of the WWR Year-book. There is currently some duplication within these sections. It is not proposed to change the content.

Decision: Carried Unanimously

f. Proposal to amend the National Championship and Div A season. This involves splitting the Div A races into a Spring and an Autumn series with minimal change to the race venues/dates (please see separate sheet for details).

The aims of this proposal are:

To encourage top athletes to focus their training towards the Spring races in preparation for International competition in Spring/Summer

To provide a challenging self-contained series of Div A races in the Autumn
Decision: Carried * on a majority vote 12 in favour, 7 against

*subject to the proposal being reviewed again at the 1999 Annual General Meeting

Guest Speakers from WCA

Neil Blackman welcomed Richard Lee (Chief Executive of the WCA) and Loel Collins (Manager of Canolfan Tryweryn) who gave an overview of developments in Wales of interest to WWR and an appreciation of the complexities of running the Tryweryn. The Exec committee would like to thank Richard and Loel for giving up their time to attend and address the meeting.

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BRITISH CANOE UNION WILD WATER RACING EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING
14th November 1998 - Bridge End Hotel, Llangollen

Present:
Neil Blackman, Jamie Christie, Andy Goodsell, Chis Bolton, Stuart Smith, Martin Streeter

Apologies:
Matt Caunt, Dave Belbin, Graham Froggett, Howard Blackman

Circulation:
above + other reps + club reps + John Embrey, Jon Royle, Michael Mason (new exec members)

Acceptance of minutes from last meeting
These were accepted as a true record of the meeting held in Nottingham 10/10/98

Team Selection Policy for World Cup in New Zealand 1999
Andy Goodsell had circulated the proposed selection policy for NZ (including some amendments to the initial draft) prior to the committee meeting. This policy was agreed and accepted at the meeting

Late Entries
Howard Blackman had circulated proposals. It was agreed to discuss this further at the next Exec meeting

Ian Tordoff's request for pre-selection for World Cup team competing in New Zealand, February 1999
It was decided not to pre-select Ian Tordoff.

Action NB to explain to Ian the Team management and support which will be provided for athletes on the World Cup trip

Minibus Permits
4 minibus permits costing £7 must be purchased in order that paddlers can contribute towards costs.

Action AG to purchase minibus permits

Sports Management Committee (SMC) meeting 9/12/98 4pm at Royal CC
A volunteer was needed to attend on behalf of the WWR Exec. Martin Streeter kindly agreed to attend.

Action MS to attend SMC meeting

Team Manager for World Cup trip to NZ
There will be a team manager for the trip who will organise transport, accommodation etc. Arrangements will need to be made for the trip ASAP especially w.r.t booking flights and transporting boats. Stuart Smith may be able to take on this role subject to securing time off from work.

Action SS to find out whether time off is possible

Tryweryn Race 14/3/98
Martin Streeter has agreed to organise the race but will need help with timing on the day. Please contact Martin if you can help out: home 01462 817325, work 01462 851515 (x7652) mobile 0468 242089.

Ranking Compiler for Div A
Chris Bolton has offered to take on responsibility for the Div A ranking list as well as Div B if Nick Dallimore would like him to do so.

Action CB to contact Nick Dallimore

Junior WWR World Championships 2000 & 2002
Chris Bolton is still interested in the possibility of running either/both of these Championships at Bala.

Action CB to request assistance with organising these races from attendees at the AGM

GB WWR Web site
Chris Bolton proposes to switch the web site from compuserve to another internet service provider to make access faster and to use a much shorter web address. Chris currently pays for both the subscription to compuserve and associated phone calls. It was decided that the exec would pay for two one off charges:

- The cost of obtaining the short address (£100)

- The cost of dual running both sites so that people looking for the old one will be redirected to the new one

Action CB to do the above and contact Dave Belbin for the money

Date of next meeting: to be advised

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BRITISH CANOE UNION WILD WATER RACING EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING
5th December 1998 – Black Addie Hotel - Nith

Present:
Jamie Christie, Chris Bolton, Stuart Smith, Jon Royle, Martin Streeter, Graham Froggett, Howard Blackman, Andy Goodsell, Cynthia Berry (SCA rep)

In attendance
Craig Walker (Canoefocus editor)
Apologies: Neil Blackman, Dave Belbin, John Embrey, Mickey Mason
Circulation: above + other reps + club reps
There being five voting members present (JC, CBolton, SS, JR, CBerry) the meeting was deemed to be quorate. Formally, the Chairman or Vice Chairman should be present, but since the Chairman's post is vacant this was deemed unrealistic. The Secretary chaired the meeting.

1. Promotion to Div A from Div B
It was agreed that promotion to Div A could be made in classes other than MK1 by reference to the MK1 time:
MK1Wavehoppers 107% of time of last promoted MK1
WK1 110% of time of last promoted MK1
C1 115% of time of last promoted MK1
WK1 Wavehopper 115% of time of last promoted MK1
Post Meeting Note: Chris has now recalculated and suggests that for WK1 Wavehoppers this should be 118% not 115% - to be accepted along with the minutes of this meeting at the next one in January.

Action: Andy Goodsell to check yearbook and amend if necessary

2. Demotion from Div A to Div B
It was agreed that this would only occur at the end of the season i.e. after the last Div A race in the Autumn Grand Prix Series. All paddlers will remain in Div A providing that they have scored either 400 points during either series or achieved an MS of 250 or better in any one race (these conditions can be met from either the Spring OR Autumn series),

Action: Andy Goodsell to check yearbook and amend if necessary

3. Number of points required to gain elite status for following season
Before the AGM changes, as well as achieving e.g. a top 15 ranking (in MK1), the paddler also had to achieve at least 1900 points in order to become 'Elite' for the next season. Since the AGM changes it is the best 4 results which count and so from 1999 onwards all paddlers will have to achieve at least 1700 points (and achieve the correct position in the ranking list) in order to become 'elite'.

Action: Andy Goodsell to check yearbook and amend if necessary

4. National Championship and Autumn Grand Prix Tie-break decider races
Before the AGM changes, if two paddlers had the same number of points at the end of the Div A season then the one highest placed in the British Open would be the National Champion. It was decided that this would continue and that in addition a tie-break in the Autumn Grand Prix series would be decided based on the Dee race.

Action: Andy Goodsell to check yearbook and amend if necessary

5. Ranking Team Competition
It was decided that the Ranking team competition would run for the whole season i.e including both Spring and Autumn Series. It was also decided that any 4 paddlers could now choose to paddle in a Ranking Team for a season (Jan-Dec). These 4 paddlers should paddle under the same Team name for the whole season but they do not have to belong to the same club i.e. anyone can form a team but they must remain in that team for the season.

Action: Andy Goodsell to check yearbook and amend if necessary
Action: James Lee to put this in WWWorld

6. U14 & U16 Ranking Series
Wavehoppers remain the only eligible boat for this series. It is possible that U14 & U16 paddlers using wavehoppers will gain promotion to Div A during the season.The series is open to paddlers of the appropriate age, whichever Division they are ranked in, but it is not expected that Division A paddlers will wish to compete in the series.

Action: Andy Goodsell to check yearbook and amend if necessary

7. U14 & U16 Prizes
It was noted that prizes are not always given at races for U14 & U16 categories at e.g. Div A races.

Action: Andy Goodsell to check (and update if necessary) the Race Organiser Pack to ensure that all organisers are made aware of requirements

8. Late Entries
No change has been made concerning the timing of race entries to the Race Organiser – they are still due the Friday two weeks before the race weekend.
However it was decided that late entries to Div A races (currently not accepted and the paddler would have to enter the Open competition) WILL be allowed after the two week cut-off. The cut off date will be shown in the yearbook An extra charge of 50% of the normal entry fee will be levied by the Organiser and kept by the Organiser. None of the extra charge will be passed on to the Exec.

Action: Andy Goodsell to check yearbook and amend if necessary
Action: James Lee to put this in WWWorld

9. MS systems/Points systems in Div A and Div B
It was agreed that improvements could be made to both of these but that proposals should be made at the next AGM in November 1999.

Action: Exec and all paddlers to debate options and formulate and publicise proposals before next AGM

10. National Competition Coach
This position is still vacant following the resignation of John Anderson following his appointment as Performance Director at the BCU. Howard has taken on the interim running of the coaching scheme

11. U16 Coach
This position is vacant and Mary-Jean Smith's mother has expressed interest in taking on the role.

Action: Graham Froggett to explain what the role involves

12. British Open (including International Event and Selection Race) 24/25th April 1999
Hazel Tordoff had reported prior to the meeting that Chester CC had withdrawn from organising this race and another organiser is sought. Burton CC may be able to run the event instead. If Burton CC cannot take it on then Jon Royle offered to run a different event if an existing Organiser could swap to the British Open weekend.

Action: Howard Blackman to check if Burton CC can run the event and report back to Hazel Tordoff

13. Div B sprint events
Chris Bolton suggested that if a Div B paddler only managed to successfully finish one of the two runs that they should be awarded some points according to the current Div B points system. At present competitors who finish only one run receive no points. It was agreed to change the rules to allow paddlers in this situation to receive points and appear at the end of the results list.

Action: Andy Goodsell to check yearbook and amend if necessary

14. Junior Pre-World Championships – Italy
The current date for these is 3rd-4th July

15. Proof of BCU/WCA/SCA/CANI Membership at Races
It was agreed that for the 1999 season all competitors should show membership cards on collection of bibs and sign a disclaimer. The practice of sending photocopies of membership cards with race entries has largely died out and will be discontinued. In future (when new computer systems are introduced at the BCU) it will be possible to obtain a list of current BCU members who have registered an interest in WWR however until then cards should be shown – or a valid card Is not presented then a day ticket must be purchased from the Race Organiser

Action: Andy Goodsell to amend yearbook
Action: Andy Goodsell to amend Race Organiser Pack

16. River Trent Race October 1998-12-07
Dave Belbin has had no offers of help with organising the event and therefore proposes to run a Div A and Div B sprint event on the Sunday. The course will be hired between 9am and 1pm with practice from 9-11 and then back to back sprint runs at 12 noon and 1pm.

Action: Jamie Christie to see if he can secure additional help with running the event from NKC and some practice time on the Saturday too.

17. Lost Interest on money in the bank
The WWR committee set up a Nat West bank account in accordance with a request from the BCU office which promised that interest would be paid. As a result of the BCU not getting a group arrangement in place and not communicating this to the WWR committee, approximately £500 of interest was regrettably lost in 1998. However it was decided not to pursue the matter with the BCU at present.

18. C2 Training Weekend in Nottingham January 1999
Davy Belbin is to organise a training day for WWR C2's particularly any more recent crews. Proposed format includes a videoed session at 10am, followed by discussion on technique and boat fitting. The second session to be at 4pm. No accommodation has been booked but for those able to stay overnight in Nottingham there will be an additional session on Sunday. Please pass the word around interested crews.
Since there is a training weekend at the Burrs on 23/24 January (and next Exec meeting) the original proposed date of 23rd January will clash.

Action: Dave Belbin to organise the training day (including trying to find a date other than 23rd Jan 99
Action: James Lee to put this in WWWorld issue to go out with yearbook in early Jan 99

19. BCU Yearbook Wild Water Racing Entry
Many thanks to all those who contributed to the updated text to appear in the 1999 BCU Yearbook particularly: Jamie, Mickey, Chris, John Embrey and James Wingfield.

20. Date of next meeting
Saturday 23rd January at the Burrs Activity Centre – 4pm subject to members involved in the coaching / training weekend being free by this time - Andy Goodsell to confirm – Secretary sends his apologies.

Post Meeting Note:
Hazel Tordoff has compiled the calendar and list of race organisers for 1999 – with input from John Embrey and others. Due to other commitments Hazel will not have the time to compile the calendar for 2000. We are extremely grateful to Hazel for all the work she has done both with the calendar and with many other aspect of the sport (organising timing at races etc. etc.)

However we need to identify someone who can arrange the calendar for the year after next. Any offers?

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