Junior and Youth Age Divisions for GPSTC

OK, so it's time for me to fess up, I'm also on "the committee", and I was for a change to the age divisions, both young and old.
But as with all committees, there are several varying opinions about most things, and no real agreement about the nature of changes to the age divisions, or if we even wanted changes could be reached, let alone Neb's time to implement them.
Neb's idea of the age filters was a compromise all of us could agree on, so maybe it's not the ideal solution to everybody, but it's all that's going to happen on this matter.

As Sausage says, it's only an advisory committee, we have no power!
It's probably not the ideal way to run anything, but the GTC is very unique, I'm not sure there's anything else quite like it.
So I'm afraid you all have to put up with us until something better comes along.

The GTC belongs to Nebs and Hardie, they've created it with expert consultation on this forum, and made it free for all to use.
Anybody is free to make suggestion on improvements, but if everybody's request was granted, the whole thing would probably change out of all recognition, most likely for the worse.

Good onya Keef, well said. Just goes to show. Akim getting red thumbed on the internet!! On a windsurfing forum of all places!! The internet really is an alternative Universe. Strewth is stranger than friction!

hey, thanks for replying sic em, your thoughtful and civil reply was a nice change, thank you,

the "its just for fun" has been a steady line used by nebs, hardie and the committee everytime someone has a suggestion, in my opinion, the whole its just for fun is just being dismissive of peoples efforts, why even have a measuring device then? why strive to do better? why dont WE scrap the alpha for a "who giggled the most while sailing" category?

What about the national gps free race, is the winner the one who smiles the most?
yes , its fun, and there is a unity between team members, but its still a device most measure their ability by, just the fact that there is now a national gps free race should be evidence enough of where gps sailing is heading, a little more note worthy than, "just for fun",,,,,,,,and dont get me started on how little a thought went into the location off the national gps, it does suggest a lack of understanding about gps sailing by the planners.

as for this continual bull crap that the gpstc is hardies or nebs, they implemented an idea, 1100 people are thankful, thats why we use it, thats why we live it
they handed over ownership of the idea when they allowed others to contribute, the gpstc is mine, and anyone else who lives it, and loves it,
sorry to say, but all Nebs and Co. own is a website,
if they disagree, they could take it away, whatever, another website will pop up as there is a market for it,
again, I'm thankful, thats why i use it, and love it,

whether you disagree, or dont like me, doesn't change the fact that I've been a committed windsurfer, passionate gps sailor, long time member of the gpstc, and should be able to reflect, and suggest on the gpstc anyway I like, as should any committed gps sailor, without being berated if it doesn't align with nebs, hardies or the committees vision,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,enjoy,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,wusses!

"Nebs and Co"... I wish!

Milsy is right, the ownership of the site pretty much belongs to the people. It's a lot more of a democracy than perhaps has been written about on here. If you feel strongly about it, then please put your hand up to join the committee! I certainly won't stop you.

Sites like this thrive on suggestions and energy from the people who are interested in it. People also tend to drift into and out of communities like ours, people get burnt out, others are always just finding out about it, so it's always a good idea to welcome new people into the fold.

Please keep suggestions like this coming. Discussion promotes improvement, and I'm sure that everyone responsible for the GTC agrees that we're always open to new ideas. If something is easy for me to implement, and there's a clear benefit to the site, then it will be implemented, it's as simple as that.

Interesting reading guys.

I have a couple of nippers almost 3 and 6 and so easing them into boardsports gently, so my short term intent is not for them though I'm certainly keen to see some standard age divisions applied by AWA across the board, eventually. I believe kids do need to be able to work towards State and National milestones and I envisage Jrs being 12 and under and over 12's(to 18) and at the older end of the scale 17-18's cn opt to progress to Open division, though they would forfeit their Jr ranking(or something similarly uncomplicated). Initially young girls would compete with the boys and then in the older division they as young women would be rewarded/awarded as Girls or Jr Women or whatever the International Standard is or will be. I believe all divisions should be shaping or feeding towards International and Olympic divisions.

I can't really comment technically on the GTC setup but from my reading, the system as it stands is great. I also hear KA360's argument loud and clear and I am supportive of his philosophy.

Just a thought - would it be possible for GTC Jr rankings be collated by a GTC Committee delegate(or Kids Rep) with a more detailed age divisions on a monthly basis, and published for kids ease of access and motivation as per KA360's vision?

Yours sincerely, tugging the tigers tail, as usual,

Adam

Just to correct the record........ .............. it takes approximately 20 seconds to go 500m at around 45 knots. That means 10 seconds is about 250m at around 45 knots.

Apart from those already mentioned, there are other reasons 10 seconds was chosen as the original GPS time period standard by the GPS-SpeedSurfing founders, including a deliberate choice to differentiate from the WSSRC distance records. Numerous reasons for that decision too, which IMHO, it's not worth thrashing through again now, if only because it is history, and it is with us to stay.

One of the most relevant and strongest reasons for the 10 seconds is that there are far more places to be found in the world where reasonably flattish water can be found to go flat stick for 10 seconds than places to do it for 20 seconds! The reasons that is good are self evident. Also, if you are really keen on the 500m distance you can still post it in, and see your rankings and progress in, the individual rankings in GPS-SpeedSurfing.

By the way: It's great to see the passion for our sport and GPSTC expressed in this thread. Hopefully we can all get some good winds to indulge that passion on the water soon!