[NSRCA-discussion] Advancement

[John C]

  I haven't read all the emails on the List but finally decided to write something regarding this matter.
  Who actually FORCES someone to move up, anyways?  I know I never worried about anyone telling me I'm in the wrong class. When I started in pattern I didn't start in Novice, at that time, cuz there weren't enough manuevers so I started in Intermediate, I knew I could fly all the manuevers, not perfectly but at least well enough to not scare the judges, lol.  Then after a couple years flying the same stuff I thought I wanted a new challenge so I went to the Advanced class, now this year for a new challenge again moving up to Masters. And at no time did the fact that I could "get a plaque" figure in the descision.    

-----Original Message-----
>From: Anthony Romano <anthonyr105 at hotmail.com>
>Sent: Aug 23, 2007 2:45 PM
>To: nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org
>Subject: [NSRCA-discussion] Advancement
>
>Just a casual thought here since things have taken a much more civil tone.
>
>How many "casual competitors" have we chase away with the advancement rule 
>vs how many "Sandbaggers" have been prevented.
>
>My thinking is drop it all together! Everybody in the pool!
>
>Anthony
>
>
>>From: Mark Atwood <atwoodm at paragon-inc.com>
>>Reply-To: NSRCA Mailing List <nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org>
>>To: NSRCA Mailing List <nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org>
>>Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] [Fwd: Proposal]
>>Date: Thu, 23 Aug 2007 17:19:01 -0400
>>
>>I think this really only speaks to not being forced to move up.  Period.
>>Del is making the point that it has to stay "fun" for more than just the 
>>top
>>guys.
>>
>>We have a number in our district that have "Fun" being a casual
>>competitor...I'll bet most districts do. They ALL fly masters.  Why?
>>Because they can camp there.  They are serious enough, or have time enough,
>>or talent enough to have fun at that level.  Most can win a round here and
>>there, some win regularly, some don't , all have fun.
>>
>>The problem is that we don't have the same group for Advanced.  Those that
>>have a little less time, a little less talent, etc.  They have fun until
>>they point out...and then someone pushes them to Masters where they really
>>don't belong and they quit.  Can't move back, and don't have fun bringing 
>>up
>>the bottom ALWAYS in masters.
>>
>>Same is true of Intemediate. There are those that would stay there happily
>>until pattern retirement.  They'd win some, lose some, watch others pass
>>them by, but at no time are they comfortable flying advanced.  Etc etc etc.
>>
>>We've beat this to death.  Unfortunately someone out there is scared of the
>>almight "Sandbagger" that's going to suck up allll the valuable hardware in
>>a lower class because they suck to much to beat them.  THAT person is the
>>one we should not be catering too...
>>
>>-Mark
>>
>>
>>On 8/23/07 4:23 PM, "seefo at san.rr.com" <seefo at san.rr.com> wrote:
>>
>> > What exactly is a casual competitor?
>> >
>> > I'm being serious here. Someone who doesn't put in the time necessary
>> > to be at their best cannot expect to win contests, and you certainly
>> > cannot change the sport so these people CAN win. Most of us have other
>> > things to do that take up our time. That's life. I can't practice every
>> > day, but at the same time, I don't expect Quique, Andrew, or Jason, or
>> > anyone else to make concessions to me because they can and do put in
>> > the time.
>> >
>> > A person who cannot devote the time necessary to be at the top of their
>> > game, should have enough character and intelligence to accept that
>> > fact. At that point they have 3 choices.
>> >
>> > 1) Compete and HAVE FUN at the level they can currently.
>> > 2) Devote more time and energy to the competition and get better.
>> > 3) Move on to something else.
>> >
>> > People need to remember that competition is, and SHOULD BE unforgiving
>> > of excuses.
>> >
>> > -Doug
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > ----- Original Message -----
>> > From: "Del K. Rykert" <drykert2 at rochester.rr.com>
>> > Date: Thursday, August 23, 2007 12:38 pm
>> > Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] [Fwd: Proposal]
>> > To: NSRCA Mailing List <nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org>
>> >
>> >> These are all great but, I see nothing changing to stop driving
>> >> away the casual competitor. If the organization and sport wants to
>> >> truly grow that area is long overdue. We need their numbers and
>> >> help at fielding contests.
>> >>
>> >>    Del
>> >
>> >