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NZMPBA NZ CHAMPS only once a year

Entry's CLOSE FRIDAY 13 MARCH 2015 that's tomorrow

PLEASE GET YOUR ENTRY'S IN

I'd suggest that the incoming committee conduct a phone survey with structured questions of all people who were members 3 years ago, when we last had a decent nationals turnout AND had about 100 members, tofind out why nationals numbers AND membership has declined so drastically in the last 3 years.

Despite a number being tied up with family commitments and time of life stuff, one cant help but wonder if we are paying the price for letting nitros die out(BTW this rules is also holding back the development of electric classes) courtesy of the 4 boat rule and implementation of the one boat per class rule, which prevents people from getting value out of an even by running what they bring in as many events as possible. Couple that with the fallout from a number of squabble and fracas over the last few years and we might have the answer. Each one of these things takes one or two people away from the sport and further erodes the value proposition for the event, and we get what we have now.

But to really know, we've really got to ask those who are left and those who have left. I'd suggest that the questions asked should be designed to test these Hypotheses and any others that people may be wondering about.

I'd also suggest we spend more time thinking about what's required to grow the sport rather than trying to refine the purity of racing. All these ideas about one boat per event and 4 boat events, are fine when you have the sustained critical mass, but we don't have that in New Zealand haven't for a very long time.

Ok I want to answer a couple of things as best I can, and this my own views.
Regarding the one boat, change motors thing. We had that, organised regattas, people still didn't bother to enter them. That in itself had problems, (the swap motors thing), and then it seemed that a number decided that class purpose boats would be what they would do. We listened to those who spoke up. Regarding nitro, there are always nitro classes to be entered...next to no entries. C'mon Bob, we haven't seen you at any regattas but offshore, and that includes SUHA, when are you going to show up with your nitros? No offense just a point. I do agree with you also with the electric issue, and I have had to put up with some pretty negative discouraging stuff too, but I’ve got out there with my FE boats and tried my best to prove that they are fast, reliable and fun racing boats.
There have been things happen and people have got offended at whatever and got the pip over things and not been able to build a bridge and get over it. Currently we have lost the memberships of two clubs. People have to choose if they want to boat together or bitch and moan about each other and not get on! The committee has worked hard to try and do what we hope is best. Next to no feed back from our membership, the usual quiet apathy followed by complaining. If there are those with the 'answers', a ‘golden bullet’ if you will, would they please stand up and get on the committee and help to fix things. Currently the majority of the membership it would seem are only interested in competing at offshore events. That is what they want to do. I know there are plenty of oval boats out there, so why is it they do not want to turn out to events. Please have a say so. Who are all the disillusioned boaters, how about they speak up, front up instead of sitting back and complaing. C'mon, there is no point in bitching at the committee which is made up of a few that are passionate about what we do.
Regarding events, the BOP club has put on most (outside of offshore) that have been offered over the last three years, with a fantastic facility, which other clubs have bothered? One club in particular decided that they didn't want to hold events after originally putting their hands up for regattas. And now another is going that way!
I have to say that in the four years or so that I have been in the association, that I have been astounded at how badly some grown men can behave over what is essentially toy boats. This is what takes away the fun. I know that people are people but really!
I am more than happy to continue as President, but if someone else wants the role and thinks that they are better suited, then I am also happy for the membership to make that decision.
Like you Nitro I want to see a growing and vibrant, passionate group of model boaters who enjoy getting together and having some racing and FUN. I feel there needs to somehow be a change in attitudes, and some need to put the past in the past and move forwards, for the benefit of the bigger picture. Those that work hard for this need to be appreciated for their efforts, even if others don't agree all the time, do not forget that they put THEIR time into all of this, it is VOLUNTARY! I'm willing to bet that many of those that complain don't even turn up to AGM's and say their piece. So at the end of the day, don't be part of the problem, be part of the solution!

Thanks for that feed back Leigh. This is one format that the committee will consider. It is the way that they run their Nat's in Aussie. However in Oz they also have a dedicated race director and course observers, one of the issues we will face is just that. If there are those who want to take on these roles that would be great. In the past few years it is Steve Trott that has done the majority of the race/contest directing, to the detriment of his own racing. At times it can be really hard to get people to just do some course observing, and I have seen some ignore calls for help and just sit and yak! We are small in numbers so as at any event it needs the help and co-operation of all competitors. We want to find a format that works, but it will require the commitment of more than just a few.

Thanks Bob, well said. Yes there are a whole lot of sport boaters out there, as you say are not really interested in racing. How do we interest them in belonging to the NZMPBA? What do we have to offer them? Sport boaters are likely not going too interested in class rules if they do not want to race. They may also not be too interested in blasting around ponds with other boats, where theirs could get damaged also. So what could we offer? Like pretty much all the other associations around the world we provide a platform for racing model powerboats. Hmmm.....ideas anyone?