Beginner Tournament

[Broussard]

Looking to host a fun tournament to try and get kids back into the sport. Any suggestions?

 

[boarditup]

Concentrate more on the off-the-water activities. Keep them busy and occupied with organized games and other activities. If they get bored, they don't like the skiing. We found it best to have a few "baby sitters" for the various ages keeping things moving ashore. On the water - allow for a "practice run" before it "counts." A couple of warm-up passes really settle the nerves down.

[GOODESkier]

Run a jr development instead. We just rocked one last weekend! You could combine with a regular tournament,

[MrJones]

When I first started in Oklahoma there were a fair number of "Beginner/Novice" tournaments around. I saw a flyer for one in a boat shop for one and 2 high school buddies and I went to check it out. On Friday afternoon they were pulling practice and teaching people. Beginner was for first timers only. Novice was a little above that. No "good" skiers were in the tournament, just driving and judging. Trophies for both.

 

It seems like this would be a great idea if there is enough volume of rec skiers around. The "mulligan" rule if you miss your first pass would be nice. Some off water instruction and or games would make it fun as well. When I started most tourneys were 3 event and only 3 rides for single eventers for the weekend. That meant lots of down time spent playing volleyball, ping pong, basketball, etc. depending on what was available at that particular lake. Good times...

 

 

[Broussard]

Having off water activities is definitely a great idea! Thanks guys!

[ToddL]

If your skiers aren't concerned with ranking lists, then you could sanction your event as a basic skills clinic. Your officials requirements only include a safety, instructor, and trained drivers. Then, you can do the competition any way you want. You could have a single judge in the boat for slalom, offer points for non consecutive buoys, mini course for adults, warmup passes, mulligans, etc. Also, you can use older boats. Finally, sanction costs are way down and skiers can compete with USAWS day event pass. This lowers entry fee costs dramatically for skiers.

[Broussard]

How did you score mini course and gates?

[Chef23]

In INT events skiers get a point for going through the gates, 1/2 point for going around a mini course ball and a full point for getting a big boy/girl ball. That way they can mix in what they are doing as they progress. In INT events everyone is guaranteed 2 passes and the total point for both passes count even if it is at the same speed. My daughter enjoyed that when she was learning because it got her a score. I think it could be a great format for a development clinic.

[ToddL]

Here are our club's mini-course rules/procedure:

 

Mini-Course Rules

The Mini-Course event is a great way to introduce competition to young skiers who are just learning how to ski. Even the youngest skiers can take a ride down the lake and back and feel like they participated. The main goal of this event is to build the future of this sport by making competition fun for all ages!

 

Rules:

Skiers can start at any even-numbered speed (10, 14, 18mph, etc). (Trick or Practice mode)

Speed increases by 2 MPH for each successful pass.

Top speed is 26 mph. This bumps the skier out of Mini-Course and into Novice division. Then, the skier must attempt the full course at any slalom speed (15.5, 17.4, 19.3, 21.1, 23, or 24.9mph). The first attempt of the full course does not require the entrance gates. After first successful pass at full course, the skier must used the entrance gates (see Slalom Scoring section).

Skiers are NOT dropped after each pass. They turn around and keep going until they have skied 4 consecutive passes. Judge may make allowance for skier safety.

The “even” skier buoys – require the skier to round the farthest boat guide buoy (a.k.a. go around both) to score the buoy.

http://i2.wp.com/www.waterskiaustin.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/minicourse.gif?resize=380%2C216

 

Scoring:

Skiers on 2 skis get 1 point for each consecutive buoy; skiers on 1 ski get 2 points for each consecutive buoy.

If the skier successfully runs the opening pass (all 6 buoys) at 14 mph or faster, the skier gets the points for all skipped speeds from 12 mph forward.

Skiers get a free fall or miss just like novice. The final score is based upon the better of the two attempts, just like novice.

If the skier does not complete a full pass at any speed, the skier only gets points for the buoys skied in the best attempt.

 

 

Tips for Drivers of Mini-Course Event:

Make each skier’s run the happiest possible.

Use Trick setting in speed control for even, slow speeds.

Tighten the rope, gently. Use reverse to slow boat so that you do not jerk the skier when the rope gets tight.

Watch the skier’s skis’ position for pull-up, try to time it when then look the most stable or in the best position.

Use a very gentle pull-up for small skiers.

Driving Mini-Course is very demanding due to the lack of boat path guides. Don’t assign an inexperienced driver. The driver must be able to determine the mid-point between the odd skier buoys and the farthest boat guide – this is asymmetrical path when compared to the nearest boat guide buoys.

Hand-throttle the speed during the turn around and watch the skier closely.

Make big, safe turn around paths for the skier.

If a skier falls, return promptly and safely. If the judge must help the skier put skis back on, turn off the engine while they are at the platform.

Pick-up all fallen skiers at the end of the run and bring them back to the doc.

[harddock]

That way works but the mini's between the red's and the boat gates allows one to utilize going through the ent/exit just like a real course. INT's mix works well to get the scores up allowing real course good side mini off side, My kids started this way and progress to full course in no time!

 

[Broussard]

@harddock it also requires 6 more anchors and buoys