FLCPA Lake Wales 2004. 2005?

[chayes12 0]

Just to let everyone know, we got weathered out for round 6 today for the 2004 FLCPA season. This meet will not be rescheduled. This will conclude the 2004 season. Congratulations to all those who participated and improved so much this year. 16 people showed up for the meet despite the weather and we all decided at noon to call the meet considering that Sundays weather forecast called for high winds. This officially gave Ian Bobo the overall win for the 2004 season as the 2004 FLCPA champion. Thanks to everyone for your support and interest. It was a very interesting year for swooping in Florida.
The pond at Lake Wales is very very nice. It is certainly ready for the upcoming World cup. It measures 300'x110' (or so) and has powder white sand at both ends. It was a real tease considering most of us did not get to swoop it at all.
The bad weather gave all of us a chance to get together and share opinions about how the 2004 season went and about the future of swooping in Florida and in the USA. A very good discussion was had with everyone offering some great input and ideas about the upcoming 2005 season.

Some of the things that were discussed were;

-Who should be eligible for cash prizes in regional meets. Intermediate or Pro or both?

-Should there be some sort of handicap used for regional meets so that intermediates would have a handicap and possibly win a meet and beat a Pro or should there be two separate classes that only compete against their own class?

-Would you, as an intermediate swooper paying entry fees rather compete in an event with Pro swoopers who were likely to win the prize money or go to an event where there were no Pro swoopers and have a better chance of winning prize money?

Any other opinions or ideas should be posted here and now!!! Lets not get carried away here with meaningless arguments. Choose your thoughts and words carefully.

We are currently considering these and other things regarding the 2005 season in Florida. As soon as I have any more info I will post it here.

One thing, it seems, that we are all in agreement about is the fact that one format and set of rules needs to be chosen and followed for consistency throughout the USA.

We are just looking for some opinions and feedback here. Hopefully Mr. Slaton will read some of these ideas and consider them as he and his organization continue to evolve the sport of swooping for us all.

Thanks
Chris