Feedback: Moriston River Race

[james fleming]

Well, the winning times are up. All the timings to follow.

So, what went well, didn't go well, could do better or you liked...All feed feedback welcomed! Good / bad or indifferent.

On a personal note, thanks very much to the safety team, to the supporters of the event and the organisers! This type of event does not and will not happen without you. Well Done!

[daibhidh]

Wondering whether there'd be an chance that the safety teams could switch round mid-day; maybe between or after the first two runs? It's a long day for those invovled, standing in one place, and switching positions could maybe help to keep things fresh and interesting for those invovled? Particularly those on the far bank as you're a bit out of the loop over there by the sticky hole! Other than that, I thought it all went pretty damn well :)

[M@]

First of all...many thanks to all involved in organising and running the event. All seemed to run smoothly from my perspective.

A few things I've thought of that could improve the event:

1) Timing needs to be more accurate. The BCU used to have a set of laser timing devices which we've used before for WWR races.
2) Get STV reporter / film crew to do a story on the event.
3) There was a bit of rubbish on the banks after the event. (red bull cans etc) Maybe have bin bags at the start and finish to collect rubbish?
4) The majority of cars at the lay-by were supporters cars. Most came down for the afternoon so were not there for the initial shuttles up the road. Could there be a shuttle for the supporters for the afternoon session?
5) Could we get the top gates open so that we can get to the start without climbing over the gates? We could even get a vehicle down there and get some music and a PA for the start.
6) The stand with the boats and paddles was at the gun club all day when everyone else was at the river. Could there be a stand at the start area?

Right, that's enough for you to think about. Just like to fininsh by saying that you did a grand job organising and running this year's event. Looking forward to next year's event already!

M@

[daibhidh]

I was actually half excpecting to see a film crew there. BBC Alba like to get along to loads of events in the Highlands, even if the BBC down south don't, and STV has a reporter based in Inverness who goes to music festivals, out events etc. to report. May be a good chance to really raise the profile and get some big sponsorship in? Plus, I'm sure some of the paddlers would love to get their mugs on TV - ego fodder! LOL :P

[DAB]

Next year schedule the race for after my yearly hand in at uni.

I am actually surprised that there wasnt more publicity. I remember a few years back the BBC did a bit about ERR and the moriston would be a far better spectacle.

[gordon ross]

Great event. Many thanks to James, Giles, Ian, the safety crew, the timing crew, the drivers, the sponsors and anyone else giving their time to help make it happen.

1. Kicker towards the bottom of the entrance wall. Easily installed off the railings.
2. Times made available as it happens to help create a buzz.
3. The Awards and event party to take place in the Glen - Invermoriston Community Hall?
4. Make a weekend of it with boaterx event on the Saturday, River Garry. 48 entrants with 6 off at a time and 3 progress. Starting mid-day to help those travelling from far away.

Bring on MRR 2013!

[DAB]

Great event. Many thanks to James, Giles, Ian, the safety crew, the timing crew, the drivers, the sponsors and anyone else giving their time to help make it happen.

1. Kicker towards the bottom of the entrance wall. Easily installed off the railings.
2. Times made available as it happens to help create a buzz.
3. The Awards and event party to take place in the Glen - Invermoriston Community Hall?
4. Make a weekend of it with boaterx event on the Saturday, River Garry. 48 entrants with 6 off at a time and 3 progress. Starting mid-day to help those travelling from far away.

Bring on MRR 2013!

I would enter that event!

[joereadickins]

Big thanks to James and co. that was an absolutely cracking event. Everyone that made the slog from Wales agreed that it was well worth it!

I like the idea of drawing it out to a weekend event, but not sure about re-location to the Garry, maybe a day of just messing around on the Moriston would be good before race day?

Electronic timers are probably the only thing that need changing, seeing as it was so close at times, but talking to you guys it sounds like you recognize that.

I would say for a £35 event with 50 entrants the cash prize could have been a bit bigger than £150.

Regardless of all of that, I had an absolutely cracking time. Thanks again!

[gordon ross]

Joe - The Moriston traditionally only releases 1 day a week usually on a tuesday. Starting the first week of May. Although it would be great to have the Moriston running both days it may not be possible whilst the Garry (15 mins down the road) may go (like WWPF). I recon boaterx's is pretty entertaining for both participants and spectators.

[AliMoon]

I'd like to echo what everyone has said already, it was a great event and I really enjoyed it! Gutted I missed the Sunday night but apparently my University exam board don't recognise bank holidays.

A few suggestions that may or may not be useful:

Music: From my experience at slalom races it instantly adds to the atmosphere, maybe having a PA system set up down by the bottom slab for spectators? I understand this could be a bit tough as I'm assuming there is not source nearby and a generator might be needed?

Commentary: Same as above, even if it was just for the finals. Adds a bit more for the spectators.

Trade stands: They do need to be moved down to the river somewhere so they get more exposure.

Food: How feasible would it be to get the local community involved in setting up a food stand? It means no extra work for the organisers and would be handy for athletes/spectators. Is there a local church etc that could run this and keep the profits? Great for local relationships as well.

Live timing: The slalom committee has access to software for updating times etc, could this be used?

I like the idea or getting the Garry releasing the day before and doing something on that. We were pretty unlucky with water levels and would give everyone a good chance to warm up for the race

On a less serious note a jumbo screen situated at the bottom streaming the carnage at the top drop would be fantastic!

[Ieuan Belshaw]

Great weekend, worth the journey up from Wales so Thanks James and everyone who made it happen.

Some key things I think could make the event better would be;

A sickline kicker on the start line ;)
Better way of timing
The leader board constantly updating and knowing times up at the top?

Mooosic around the start and finish
Trade stands up and around the start with possible food stalls.
I know a lot of people have had thoughts about the prizes, maybe something a bit more generous?
^Essentially padding the scene out more and giving the atmosphere a bit more buzz
Awards and a party at the gun club?

All in all it was a cracking time and thank you, see you next year!

[sandra]

Music: From my experience at slalom races it instantly adds to the atmosphere, maybe having a PA system set up down by the bottom slab for spectators? I understand this could be a bit tough as I'm assuming there is not source nearby and a generator might be needed?

Didn't think you could get much closer to an electricity source!

On a serious note, it was a fantastic day, thoroughly enjoyed it! With the normal length of a Moriston release would there not be time for a boater x down the lower in the morning? All the more reason to stay in Invermoriston on the evening...would be nice to have the money from the evening go to the community where the race is based. I've been in to the pub by the bottom car park before and they were very friendly...maybe they'd host it?

Don't know if you'd consider reducing the interval between runs to 1min in order to increase the number of possible entrants?

[james fleming]

Thanks for all the feedback, so far.

We'll be having a wash up meeting meeting in a week or so (curry and beer springs to mind!) and I'll bring all the points to the meeting and discuss. Thereafter, I'll feedback the feedback!

[Biscuit65]

Write up of the race - http://www.unsponsored.co.uk/press/?p=1910

[james fleming]

Feedback on the feedback:

The overall feedback from everyone was very positive. Clearly we can do things better for 2013 but we dont want to bite off more than we can chew so we are looking to offer a better experience to the competitor, in the first instance, before we offer other competitions.

Specifically expect to see developments in;

Start: We will try and work on a kicker system at the start of the race to launch the boats off the dam wall.

PA systems and music. We will try and deliver a PA system at the start and finish with race day commentary.

LED system: We will try and work on an up-to-date LED leader board at the finish of the race.

Media: We are in contact with T.V. and will work on other media outlets for 2013.

Entries: We will be open to 70 rather than 50 for 2013.

Other: There are other specifics / logistics like bins, where we award the awards etc that I'll not go into just now, but we are working on bettering the 2012 event as a whole.

contact@moristonriverrace.com

Scottish extreme white water kayaking....