Steve (Bennett...) -
thanks for the info on participation. It's been amazing to watch the LaConner Race grow. We are anticipating making record quantities of soup yet again this year.

One "problem" is that there are so many choices in August. In the early 1990's, US Rowing Masters Nationals were typically in September, but have migrated to August. Canadian Masters has made a similar shift. I suspect that's partly why the participation of some of our top rowers is down at GXS. Add to that the increasing number of outrigger races that time of year, and you're bound to get conflicts. Add to that other sporting events (e.g. bike racing), and the fact that many of us now have families and the added challenges to racing that it brings.

Laura

(PS - are there a few spouses or teens who aren't racing and could help my mom out in the kitchen for this year's "soup and bread"? Many of the folks who have helped in the past have moved away or have health issues that preclude their assisting this year.)

I dropped off a Sound Rowers calendar (printed on photo glossy paper)
with the manager at the Pocock Rowing Center yesterday, and a schedule
(page #2 of the calendar) at the Lake Washington Rowing Club with the
manager there.

Perhaps a few more of these distributed in the appropriate club houses
and kayak shops might help to increase the numbers, too.

Any word on the 2005 edition of the Sound Rowers poster?

--Michael

--- In SoundRowers@..., "Laura Jackson" <kekbeka@h...> wrote:

Steve (Bennett...) -
thanks for the info on participation. It's been amazing to watch the
LaConner Race grow. We are anticipating making record quantities of

soup yet

again this year.

[...]

From: Steve Bennett <bennett_seattle@y...>

Your concern about declining numbers, however, may be

a little contrary to reality. While The Great Cross
Sound numbers are down (this was discussed quite a bit
at the Annual Meeting) a brief study of race
participation in 1998 and 2004 revealed these numbers:


In 1998 556 boats carrying 702 human engines
participated in our 15 races. In 2004 736 boats
carried 1011 racers in 16 races. (the San Juan
Challenge is not included in these figures) Looks like
we're doing pretty well, but surely not enough to
preclude inclusion of more folks through mentoring.

Thanks for making us think.