This is something I thought some might find a litle funny, the hype around another Barbados surfer of the year contest. Now I know that a few folks were not so happy that the event was scheduled to be at Brandons, however, thats where the best waves were supposed to be. The committee writes...
IMPORTANT NOTICE.
SOTY 3 WILL BE HELD AT BRANDONS ON SATURDAY MAY 10TH 2008...
ALL COMPETITORS REGISTRATION WILL BE 7.30 AM ON THE 10TH
WILL BE A.. MASTERS/ OPEN / JUNIOR / MENEHUNE FORMAT ALL DIVISIONS COMMENCING SATURDAY 1ST HEAT 8.30 AM
PRE REGISTER BY EMAIL RETURN...REGISTRATION FEES DUE AT THE BEACH BEFORE 8.00 AM
A GOOD SWELL IS PREDICTED
So, we area all ready for a day of stormy, windy and generally poor conditions for another contest at Brandons. I didn't see any swell coming infact i saw the swell dropping. A BSA, Barbados Surfing Association, member replies...
Thank you for the announcement regarding the venue of SOTY #3. I would just like to remind the Executive of the goal of the SOTY series and that is to ensure that the most consistent surfers across a variety of breaks emerge as Champions of their respective Divisions.. Traditionally each SOTY event has been held at a different break - Parlour being the break of choice in May/June. This gives Regular and Goofy footers equal opportunity to excel. This is the second SOTY event to be held at Brandens this year giving goofy footers an unfair advantage.
I would also like to remind the Executive that it has been the practice to have a Calendar of Events at the beginning of the year announcing the date and venue of all surfing events to be held locally and internationally. This givies the competitors, officials, sponsors and the Media advance notice so that the can ensure that they are available for the week-end of the contest. This has not happened yet this year. Would you be so kind as to inform us of the venue and the dates of the remaining two (2) SOTY events and the November Pro.
A little catty but perhaps a valid point or two. In the meantime I have found out that nobody knew there was to be a contest this weekend just gone but I knew there was one I had the calendar.
Another member writes back too.
I too must express my concern with regard to the contest being held at Brandon’s, once again. It is my understanding over all the years of my involvement, that SOTY events were a means of providing events at different breaks and locations in order for the best and most versatile surfer to emerge “Surfer of the year” in their respective division.
Also, a calendar of events has always been produced at the first Executive Meeting of the year with the dates and location of the SOTY events for the year.
Please advise dates and location for the remaining events in particular the “Reef Classic”.
So then, did any body apart from me get this calendar?
The committee writes back.
Thank you for you comments... typically I would not reply directly to an email addressed to the committee, however as this was addressed to me personally, to an open forum and copied to the committee, I will respond.
As a former member of the committee you are aware that other members are aware of the criteria with which the association operates.. We operate for the benefit of all members, not just the few. It is the intention of this committee to encourage the open surfers, other than the juniors who enter this division to enter the contests and develop their SOTY standings. Many of whom have not competed to date as conditions have been less than favourable. If we continue to choose marginal conditions based on tradition we are undermining the whole SOTY championship.
Under advisement we are anticipating the south to provide the best break this weekend. The venue was selected based on the predicted swell that should be here this weekend. If the swell does not materialise as we have been advised, the venue will change as per normal practice to relocate the venue. The remaining SOTY events will balance out the Goofy / regular issues
Personally I am rather disappointed that you felt it necessary to bring this to our attention and also for anyone else who feels that tradition supersedes all else.. I would rather have hoped we all saw the bigger picture here.
As for your reference to the calendar. You are one of many it appears who did not receive this. The original was sent to the members on Feb 5th. My apologies to anyone who did not receive it.
So what really does all this mean? Angry folks wanted their chiildren to do the best they could and so due to poor surf the contest was moved to Soup Bowl over on the east coast where the surf had size but was quite stormy and not so easy to perform in.
This is not a dig at anyone but I really think e-mails are the worst way to communicate with another person. They always sound so rude and "matter of fact."
I mysel think that the phone is a much better way to get your feelings across and so I think parents should too. Sorry to bore but I thought there was a funny side to this. The contest came off great and had the best atmosphere of a BSA event I have ever been too. Thank you BSA!