Okawa Open/Boardwalk Open

[ACrimsonRapier]

I wonder why one half of the foil bracket (Bryant) was like an hour and a half ahead of the other side of the foil bracket (Schenkel).

[Purple Fencer]

Originally Posted by ACrimsonRapier

I wonder why one half of the foil bracket (Bryant) was like an hour and a half ahead of the other side of the foil bracket (Schenkel).

Crossovers, perhaps? I think Ken Huang did all three weapons....

[mfp]

Originally Posted by Purple Fencer

Crossovers, perhaps? I think Ken Huang did all three weapons....

Extreme crossovers in his case. He somehow got seeded into a pool 300+ miles away at the Boardwalk Open as well.

[TrojanMD]

Originally Posted by akaiyuki

I think next year we will try pushing the close of check-in time for the three weapons for okawa closer together. We had enough strips (14) and that would probably make the event run a little bit faster.

Looking at the posted times (9-11-2), and having a little experience with huge one day events, I would suggest that the close of check-in times are less important that actually starting the event w/in 30min of close, and moving through pools before the next event goes out.

The key to achieving that goal? A BC Chair and Head Ref who understand that concept, and push push push to get it to happen. (actively looking for empty strips, circulating among the referees to make sure everyone is moving along appropriately, anticipating what data is necessary to get to the next round and figuring out why it's not turned in, etc.) Often this is where collegiate events struggle - the discipline necessary to achieve that is not always appreciated. (I'll ignore the obvious UCLA jab)



Pushing events closer together can sometimes make things worse. Remember, you always have to allow time for your referees to eat and rest - hungry hurting referees make for bad outcomes later on in the day. Of course, deliberate scheduling is also helpful, so you can obtain a full compliment of officials. There are always a few years of conflict at the beginning of a tournament's lifespan, but once you're established as a regular event, that will pass.

It's about time again that there were two consistently strong tournaments in the SoCal region that benefitted collegiate fencing. Good luck next year!

[notalent]

Originally Posted by TrojanMD

Looking at the posted times (9-11-2), and having a little experience with huge one day events, I would suggest that the close of check-in times are less important that actually starting the event w/in 30min of close, and moving through pools before the next event goes out.

The key to achieving that goal? A BC Chair and Head Ref who understand that concept, and push push push to get it to happen. (actively looking for empty strips, circulating among the referees to make sure everyone is moving along appropriately, anticipating what data is necessary to get to the next round and figuring out why it's not turned in, etc.) Often this is where collegiate events struggle - the discipline necessary to achieve that is not always appreciated.

Pushing events closer together can sometimes make things worse. Remember, you always have to allow time for your referees to eat and rest - hungry hurting referees make for bad outcomes later on in the day. Of course, deliberate scheduling is also helpful, so you can obtain a full compliment of officials.

There are a few other things that can be done, typically your non fencing, non referee students don't have much to do during the actual event. They can be sent out to DE strips with a copy of the table and blank slips. This along with a second helper to get fencers together so they are sent to strips as soon as there are openings. The PDF SYC had 5-6 refs per 4 strips and a helper with a table. The person with the table went around checking scores to keep up with which strips were likely to open next. This ofcourse means that you need to have extra helpers.

[rdg]

EDEW mentioned traffic, which was bad both coming and going on Sat via 17. Not much Boardwalk could do about that except hold vet epee sign in open a extra hour, which they did.

Directing was good, but the facility was poor. No grounded strips for example, and the strips where placed right next to the scoring boxes, so there was no room to manuver on one side. Additionally the last several Boardwalk Opens were held in the West gym which is much cooler and much more spacious.

I noticed that a number of fencers did not stay for Sun as was expected. I believe the poor air circulation, the cramped quarters, the complete lack of grounded strips and no food within mile had to play some role in the Epee open going from 63 to 55 entrants.

As has been said, water and food vendors would be appreciated next year, and having the West gym back would be another improvement.

To answer a previous questions the vendor was American Fencing, and they had a lot of equipment; although through no fault of thier's they did not have venti - or I think any other FIE epee blades. That was a pity.

Otherwise directing was good and the tournament was run well.

Sam

[needle]

Originally Posted by rdg

I noticed that a number of fencers did not stay for Sun as was expected. I believe the poor air circulation, the cramped quarters, the complete lack of grounded strips and no food within mile had to play some role in the Epee open going from 63 to 55 entrants.

Yourself included

[counterattack]

Originally Posted by rdg

EDEW mentioned traffic, which was bad both coming and going on Sat via 17.

Directing was good, but the facility was poor.

...no food within mile had to play some role in the Epee open going from 63 to 55 entrants.

Traffic "coming" is just beach traffic, and has to be expected. The traffic going was, as Eric mentioned, a motorcyle fatality just Hwy 9 and Hwy 17. So sad.

I thought the facility was excellent! There was ample space for gear outside (but under cover still). It was warm and well lit. No grounded strips was a bummer, and at the very least the floor needed a mopping. It was a bit slick with dust.

Well run tourney (thanks Sarah & Co!). I was able to be only 30 minutes late for a 3pm BBQ, 40 minutes away, after making the round of 8. I was very happy.

[rdg]

Originally Posted by needle

Yourself included

The no-show was no reflection on the facilities or the event. I had to go to TX Sun morning, and I was very disappointed that I couldn't participate.

Sam

[needle]

Originally Posted by rdg

The no-show was no reflection on the facilities or the event. I had to go to TX Sun morning, and I was very disappointed that I couldn't participate.

If you say so