declining participation.

[Richard Hallett]

If you don't recognize this author you are too narrow.  Interesting to see
that it sounds like the last month on this list

He is saying the same thing to his side of this discipline.

Rick

The lack of participation "MY" fault.  Rule changing doesn't normally change
participation. People do.  If there is growth there is a growth personality.
If there isn't.................................



Date: Wed, 27 Nov 2002 11:25:02 -0800 (PST)
From: Daryl Perkins <wcx4 at yahoo.com>
To: FRED SAGE <fsage1 at utm.net>, Pat McCleave <kssoar at hotmail.com>
Cc: soaring at airage.com
Subject: Re: [RCSE] Re: Highstart Max Launch
Message-ID: <20021127192502.99589.qmail at web21508.mail.yahoo.com>

I usually don't get involved in these types of threads
until everyone is burnt out on the subject, but my 2
cents:

This Exchange is an international forum. You don't
hear other countries whining about declining
participation, boring TD formats, high start contests,
how to make this next thermal duration a true
adrenaline rush..., etc... The reality is, the way we
fly our "thermal duration" contests in the states IS
boring. (I can't bring myself to go anymore - just the
Majors) It's rarely a true test of soaring ability -
but is decided in the landing circle. (Don't jump on
me here - I said "rarely." ) The MOM format is
bringing some excitement back into TD - but let's be
realistic - it's still drilling holes in the sky and
the key to being successful is making your times and
nailing your landings. (There's really no difference -
it's all in our heads)

How do the other countries keep it exciting? How do
they attract young new pilots? I've travelled all over
the world soaring.  I can attest that other countries
do have young glider pilots - very talented ones.
World class level soaring pilots. How is this
possible?

Contests don't attract people to soaring. Soaring
attracts people to soaring. People attract people to
soaring. New cool fast ships attract young blood - not
WhaleAirs and Paragons.

I was first intrigued by soaring, when I saw it on the
slope, and these little rocket ships blasting back and
forth 2 feet off the deck - rolling, loops, half
piping. Had I gone to a TD site and seen 10 of us old
farts flying sticks and monokote around at 1,000
ft.... I'd have never started soaring either. I'll
never forget my first trip to the WC's - all these
young kids flying fast, low level, high performance
models - and they were all better than me. This is the
norm in other countries, but for some reason, not here
in the states.

There is an answer to the boredom of our "thermal
duration" formats - it's called F3B. Try some
multi-tasking - doesn't have to be exactly the F3B
format. Put a speed run in your contest - it will
improve your skill. Put a distance task in - it will
improve your ability. You'll start to see the need for
a ship with true performance, not just something that
lands slowly.

Other countries focus on this - not 3 minute steer and
stabs the way we do it. I've never flown a contest in
another country that wasn't flown MoM.

If you guys are bored - try pushing yourselves to
another level - don't try changing the format of our
dork-offs.

JMHO



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