Attracting Newcomers

I've been following several of the recent threads regarding the current state of CLPA, and a thought came to me that might increase the influx of newcomers/Oldcomers to COMPETITIVE CLPA.

In addition to the individual events, have regional team competitions as well. (similar to the worlds, I beleive) where teams from each PAMPA district could compete as a group. Teams could have mandatory content. ie 4-5 of experts, beginners, and intermediates. Together with support crews, this creates a very active mentoring environment through some district selections, and practice events leading to a (the) Nationals.

Speaking from my own experiences over the past 1-1/2 seasons, it is VERY difficult to coordinate mentoring/coaching time if indeed it is available at all. I think that some "framework" event structure that would encourage and define team goals and objectives would perhaps help this. It might be nothing more than determining at the beginning of the season, a district "team qualification schedule". At these events, district reps might have a chance to mentor, coach, and eventually help select, its team. TO qualify, members would have to attend and fly in some percentage of the identified events.

I would understand if many of the top 20 Nats pilots would NOT wish to participate because of the time commitment. However, that opens the door for another layer of pilot--that otherwise may feel no hope of really competing--to become a member of a team.

This type of activity would provide opportunities to train and coach judges, support crew, alternate team members, etc.

Perhaps this has been tried, I dont know.

Any thoughts?

Curt,

Not sure if my input will be relevant, but here goes. In my area, we have an R/C club. This club has probably over 200 members. They have two flying fields in town - one in the east and one in the west. At the west field, there is a C/L circle as well as the R/C field. During the summer, on any given day at almost any time of day, you can go out there and see at least two or three R/C planes in the sky.

On the other hand, I am one of four that I know of that ever uses the C/L circle, and I just started. I think I'm also the only one that actually lives here in town. There are a total of four others that are known to use the circle at all, and one of them is a world competitor.

That means it would be impossible to mount any kind of a team competition for C/L PA around here, if I understood what you said. I know that in some areas there are whole clubs devoted to C/L, but I bet there are also a lot more places like where I live.

I don't have any solution to offer, but I do think that in order to attract new blood, it will be necessary to raise the public profile of the hobby, so more people are aware of it. One thing that brought me in was seeing a fellow from our local R/C club featured on a TV show (one of those "Home Workshop" type shows). Even though the visual aspects of the hobby are not as exciting as, say, auto racing, if they can get people interested in watching CHESS, of all things, then surely someone can figure out how to get people to watch PA, which at least has some movement. Golf is watched by thousands, if not millions, yet it is no more interesting or exciting to watch than C/L PA. I think the difference is that more people have been exposed to golf, have at least a rudimentary understanding of the rules, and may have tried it. Even if they haven't tried it, they could envision themselves doing so. It is also my opinion that the "exitement" and "involvement" people feel when watching Masters golf has more to do with what's going on between their own ears than with what they're watching. They follow the competition, a breathless announcer fills them in on each nuance, and inside their head they create the excitement. It also has a lot to do with advertising, which creates an urgent need in people where none would otherwise exist. The key to this is that there's a lot of money to be made selling golf merchandise, endorsed by the stars. Not sure if the same thing could be made to apply to C/L, but I think it's the only way it'll ever be more than a marginal curiosity.

WEll...I understand alot of what you say.... My suggestion was about getting people into COMPETING..at this point they would already have to be interested..I'm not sure how to do that but having as many enthusiastic practitioners as possible will help.

I also think that travel will always be a part of this...as it is for many other activities...

I think your situation is a good example...you already have interest but need coaching and help on a regular basis. If you had several pre-identified events to attend, where you KNEW people would be there coaching and mentoring to select a TEAM, you might be more inclined to travel---I know I would.

Also, and as has been hinted at in the other threads here, I think there is a huge difference between spectator events and competitor events--and ours is a COMPETITOR event. It IS boring to watch, unless you are a pilot competing or have a deep interest. But so are many other sports/competitive events without the help of massive TV coverage.

I personally dont think it is a requirement to provide huge spectator appeal in order for a sport to thrive. THere are many examples--both competitive and otherwise. Its not bad if there is appeal--it can make it easier to find new people, but my proposition here is based on the perspective that we dont know what to do with the ones we have.

And please dont consider this as a dump on this forum or others--nor all of the helpful and friendly folks willing to provide as much information as possible here--but nothing really can replace a little in-person help.

Maybe I'm way off base here but thought I'de throw it out.

FWIW

Your idea is an interesting one. I think you would have to have a fair density of both potential and actual competitirs to make team competition work. Coaching makes a lot of difference in rate of progress. There have been a number of successful stunt clinics and stunt symposia. These are helpful.

It seems to me that competitors are more born than made. Many people do not wish to fly in a competitive framework, regardless of opportunity.

Sorry I misunderstood your original post, Curt - I guess I didn't read it well enough. For myself, I might at some point like to fly in some kind of competition, but if I do, I doubt I'll get past the Local level. Regional maybe, if the venue were close to home. I doubt I'd ever be able to travel for the sport, at least until retirement - which I'm skeptical of before age 70 at least.

The game of bridge is in many ways as fascinating as CL stunt. It is a difficult game, and one which you can never conquer, but you keep plugging on.

Although I have said similar things in previous threads, I want to say it again here. I really don't give a hoot about the losers who can't play bridge or fly CL PA or combat. I have no instinct that makes me want to attract newcomers.

The real truth is that the top 1/2 % of the population will take on life in big bites. The losers will sit and watch Roseanne and the Millionare show. We need to do nothing to attract the losers. We don't need them.

The bridge anology may be a little obscure, but the top 1/2 % will get it.