2008 Summer Nationals

[mfp]

Originally Posted by Shi no Tenshi

I'm having trouble finding this: How much is parking at the venue?

At the venue:

Convention Center Parking
» 500 spaces for public event use
» Every 20 Minutes - $1
» Every 1 Hour - $3
» 6 Hours is maxium (sic) per day - $18
» Access is allowed 24 hrs, 7 days a week
(Maxium parking time limit 72 hrs)
Contact Central Parking for more info at 408-277-3529

http://sanjose.org/visitors/maps/parking.php


Across a large street from the venue:

Maps also show there's a lot called the "CSJ Alamaden/Woz" lot across Almaden Blvd from the Convention Center. Its rates are listed as "$7 day flat fee; $4 evening flat fee. no overnight parking".

Here a link to an "interactive" parking map for downtown SJ:

http://www.sjdowntownparking.com/parking_map.php

It's fairly annoying in that you need to click on each blue parking icon in turn in order to get info for the parking facility.


At the hotels:

San Jose Marriott

Parking

* Valet parking, fee: 25 USD daily
* Off-site parking; contact hotel for details


Hilton San Jose

Valet Parking: 23.00 USD
In & Out Privileges

Self Parking: 18.00 USD (for guests)
In & Out Privileges

http://www1.hilton.com/en_US/hi/hote...ons.do#parking

The Hilton link above also includes "Typical Minimum Charges" for Shuttle and Taxis from SJC, SFO and OAK to the Hilton/Convention Center area.

[Shi no Tenshi]

Thank you very much for your response. I'm going to be in Menlo Park, so I just need to know where my ride can park her car. Thanks again!

[edew]

If you park several blocks away (on 2nd street, maybe), you can probably go for less than the $18/day rate. You might be able to get somewhere like $10 no in-out privileges.

[Allen Evans]

There will be 60 strips at Nationals this year, and we'll be in all three halls.

AE

[Mac A. Bee]

Originally Posted by mfp

At the venue:
The Hilton link above also includes "Typical Minimum Charges" for Shuttle and Taxis from SJC, SFO and OAK to the Hilton/Convention Center area.

If you're arriving SFO June 30 ~11AM, PM me to share a van.

[happy]

Thanks to everybody for the info.

It is very cool to be taking over the whole center, although it is sometimes fun when there are national volleyball events going on at the same time...

I would imagine check-in will be in the entrance, closer to Hall 1, making it slightly more convenient for people staying in the Marroit, but pretty good for both. Parking help is also always appreciated, downtown parking can be a real pain.

I wonder if anybody is communicating with the local press to see if they will cover the event (even if Tom Cruse isn't competing)? Seems like the folks in Portland did a great job with that for the last NAC.

[Warrior Princess]

I can't find the check-in times. I looked on the website in the place where the check in times are supposed to be, but they listed the day of competion ones. Isn't there an equipment check the day before?

[KD5MDK]

There isn't a posted equipment check before, but it usually runs from when an armorer can be spared from setup until 7 or 8.

[teacup]

Will someone be able to post live (ish) results for Summer Nationals as they are being posted for the Vegas WC?

[KD5MDK]

Probably not, as Summer Nationals will be run on XSeed and Vegas is being run on Enguarde.

[teacup]

Would anyone be willing to shadow an event or two in Enguarde and post online?

[happy]

Originally Posted by Warrior Princess

I can't find the check-in times. I looked on the website in the place where the check in times are supposed to be, but they listed the day of competion ones. Isn't there an equipment check the day before?

From the Athlete's Packet:

Weapons Check will be open Monday, June 30, 2008 from 1:00 – 6:00 p.m., ONLY for those athletes competing the next morning.

(Edit: It would be a HUGE benefit if they could extend weapons check the first night to 9 or 10pm - even if it was just mask check, IMO)

Also, speaking from experience, I would recommend getting TWO body cord markers, or finding a way to reinforce what they put on the body cord. The little tape markers they use can come off quite easily (especially after a couple days) and it can be quite a rude shock to show up to a pool and get a red card for no marker!!

A fencer whose equipment does not have Nationals control marks will receive a red card when presenting him/herself to strip and must replace the equipment with item(s) bearing the Nationals control marks.

That is, unless they use a more secure method this year, which doesn't seem likely.

[dberke]

Originally Posted by happy

(Edit: It would be a HUGE benefit if they could extend weapons check the first night to 9 or 10pm - even if it was just mask check, IMO)

I recommend getting there during the posted times. While it would be nice to have late-night checks, do consider that the armorers work 12+ hour days as it is. They deserve some rest...

Originally Posted by happy

Also, speaking from experience, I would recommend getting TWO body cord markers, or finding a way to reinforce what they put on the body cord. The little tape markers they use can come off quite easily (especially after a couple days) and it can be quite a rude shock to show up to a pool and get a red card for no marker!!

A fencer whose equipment does not have Nationals control marks will receive a red card when presenting him/herself to strip and must replace the equipment with item(s) bearing the Nationals control marks.

I don't think the armorers will give you two. It is your responsibility to make sure all your control marks are present, not theirs. If one falls off, use your second (or third, or fourth) bodycord until you can get the original cord rechecked.

Dan

[happy]

Originally Posted by dberke

I recommend getting there during the posted times. While it would be nice to have late-night checks, do consider that the armorers work 12+ hour days as it is. They deserve some rest...

I agree, and I'm very sensitive to armorers and how hard they work (I regularly donate to their beer funds and am always nice to them and follow all the rules in getting things ready, and would encourage others to do the same). I am not suggesting armorers work more hours, but that the USFA arrange for more armorers the night before that can keep the check open later. As I said, even if only mask check were available, that would speed things up the next morning.

Originally Posted by dberke

I don't think the armorers will give you two. It is your responsibility to make sure all your control marks are present, not theirs. If one falls off, use your second (or third, or fourth) bodycord until you can get the original cord rechecked.

Dan

Agreed, but isn't it the USFA's responsibility to make sure their marks are secure? Many large tournaments use zip ties which are very secure, so there are alternatives. I'm just trying to help others avoid problems that I've experienced. Also possibly advocating a small change that would reduce the problems, delays and stress everybody faces when a bodycord marker falls off.

[dberke]

Originally Posted by happy

I agree, and I'm very sensitive to armorers and how hard they work (I regularly donate to their beer funds and am always nice to them and follow all the rules in getting things ready, and would encourage others to do the same). I am not suggesting armorers work more hours, but that the USFA arrange for more armorers the night before that can keep the check open later. As I said, even if only mask check were available, that would speed things up the next morning.

More armorers = more expenses, and as we know, that's become a more important consideration lately. Also, keeping the armory staffed later would require keeping the convention hall open later, which incurs more cost since the convention center's security staff would need to be present.

The slow lines are not usually the fault of the armorers. It is almost always caused by the fencers that don't unwrap their body cords before reaching the table, don't zip up their lames for testing, etc. Train the fencers to be ready when they walk up and things will go a LOT faster.

Originally Posted by happy

Agreed, but isn't it the USFA's responsibility to make sure their marks are secure? Many large tournaments use zip ties which are very secure, so there are alternatives. I'm just trying to help others avoid problems that I've experienced. Also possibly advocating a small change that would reduce the problems, delays and stress everybody faces when a bodycord marker falls off.

The bag tape they use is quite secure if applied properly, so fencers should check to make sure it's taped on well before leaving the armory. If you consider how many bodycords are checked at the typical NAC or SN (it's in the thousands), I'll bet that less than 1% experience the tape falling off. I've only had it happen once in 8+ years of regular attendance at events that use the tape system.

We've tried the zip-tie approach in our division, and it was a huge pain to deal with. Aside from the additional cost (when compared with a roll of tape), clipping off all the "tails" creates a huge mess, and I've seen the ties loosen and fall off if not properly applied.

No solution is perfect, but I think the one in use is more than sufficient.

Dan

[KD5MDK]

I'd also point out that body cords frequently fail after a day's competition, and so it's not a bad thing to get them rechecked if yours has already fallen off.

[Inquartata]

I have never had the tape tag come off a body cord at a competition. In fact, I usually have to cut them off for the NEXT tournament, after a month or more of practices in between...

[Warrior Princess]

Never leave on the zip ties if armors choose to use them for control marks. After a while, the zip tie can dammage your body chord.

[hello?]

I have had the tape fall off a body cord between pools and DE at a NAC. Cost me a touch in a veteran's bout I lost 10-9. Yes, it was my responsibility to check -- but it still hurt (and hurt my concentration during that bout as I did not know the rule at the time and it totally distracted me....Have since read the rule book, a good idea). Since then, when I remember, I ask for tapes at both ends of the body cord -- I have yet had an armourer tell me no. It takes them an extra 4 seconds.

[happy]

Originally Posted by dberke

Also, keeping the armory staffed later would require keeping the convention hall open later, which incurs more cost since the convention center's security staff would need to be present.

Ok - so let's set up a late mask check only, it could be done at the lobby of the host hotel which doesn't require extra security. Even that little bit would help significantly. I'm pretty sure you could find a couple armorers that would be willing to spend a couple hours the night before the tournament doing this. I'll personally buy them drinks if that's what it takes!

Originally Posted by dberke

The slow lines are not usually the fault of the armorers. It is almost always caused by the fencers that don't unwrap their body cords before reaching the table, don't zip up their lames for testing, etc. Train the fencers to be ready when they walk up and things will go a LOT faster.

Great point - so why don't we organize one or two volunteers to walk up and down the line the first morning, making sure everybody is ready? At the very least, place a volunteer to stand at the head of the line that only allows people who are ready/prepared to go through to the table?

Originally Posted by dberke

The bag tape they use is quite secure if applied properly, so fencers should check to make sure it's taped on well before leaving the armory. If you consider how many bodycords are checked at the typical NAC or SN (it's in the thousands), I'll bet that less than 1% experience the tape falling off. I've only had it happen once in 8+ years of regular attendance at events that use the tape system.

We've tried the zip-tie approach in our division, and it was a huge pain to deal with. Aside from the additional cost (when compared with a roll of tape), clipping off all the "tails" creates a huge mess, and I've seen the ties loosen and fall off if not properly applied.

No solution is perfect, but I think the one in use is more than sufficient.

Dan

I guess we just disagree on this one. But we do agree that the current solution isn't perfect - maybe there is a perfect solution nobody has considered? It doesn't hurt to raise the issue (which I think I'll do in the armorer section).

Regardless, I wanted to warn other fencers to check their markers so they don't have the same problem. As others have noted, it is extremely demoralizing to start off with a red card in a big DE because the marker falls off.