Steel Shootin'
04-23-2005, 08:11 AM
One month away and counting. This will summarize a few things.
T-Shirts and Raffle
As you know, one enters the raffle by purchasing a Spearboard t-shirt. You can enter up to three times by purchasing up to three t-shirts. Internet shirt sales have stopped, and a very limited number will be available at the Capt's Meeting. A common question I get is: “Do I get a raffle ticket back when I order a shirt?” The answer is “no”, and here is how it works: Every time a shirt order comes in, it is entered on a MS Excel Spreadsheet. Each row on the spreadsheet has a number. If your order is entered on row “92”, then we enter a ticket with the number “92” on it. If you ordered two shirts, we enter “92” twice, and three “92s” go in if you got three shirts. Then, when we do the drawing on May 22, we simply pull a number and cross reference it with the spreadsheet. We do it this way because it is a lot easier to write down numbers. If you are curious as to what number you are, we will have a print out at the Spearboard Display table, and anyone can view it to see their number and confirm their entry.
Bottled Water and Soda
One of the biggest disruptions last year was that we ran out of water and soda, and I had to go to the store. The problem is that we had enough water and soda for twice the people that were there, and what we found is that many people would take a couple of sips, leave their drink somewhere, and then go get a new one. We had hundreds of near full bottles at the end of the tournament.
We are going to have a sharpie pen near the beverages. Please write your name on it, or do whatever else is necessary to keep track of your beverage. We want to continue to make this a tremendous value, with unlimited beverages, but we do need some cooperation. There was discussion about going to “ticket” system and limiting the number of beverages, but I do not want to do that. So, please help keep it unlimited beverages by not wasting.
Meal Tickets
Another issue last year was meal tickets. The BBQ meal on May 22 is included for all participants as part of their registration. If you want to bring any family or friends, it is only $10, which is less than my cost. However, we had TONS of people show up without meal tickets. A few even argued with volunteers about either the price or the fact that there were no more available.
Please understand this: I need to call my caterer at the end of the Captain’s Meeting to order a fixed number of meals. I base this number on the number of people registered, number of extra meal tickets purchased, and volunteers I am feeding. I order a limited number of extra meals. Therefore, if you want your friend or family member to enjoy the meal and beverage, please buy the extra meals tickets no later than the end of the Captain’s Meeting. I am flexible. Shooting me a PM or email and say, “I registered, but forgot (or want) meals tickets. I will paypal you $______ for the meal tickets.” Preferably, order them on the registration form, but if not, just email or show up at the Captain’s Meeting. I don’t know where else you can get unlimited beverages and BBQ for $10, so money should not be an issue. And please do not argue with a volunteer. If you have an issue that needs to be addressed, then I will be happy to talk with you.
Rule Changes
As stated in the rules:
Rule Changes
Rules may be changed until May 1, 2005. We do not anticipate many rule changes, and any future changes should be minor. All rule changes will be posted on www.spearboard.com and www.spearboardopen.com. Registrants are responsible for making sure they have checked for rule changes up until May 1, 2005.
Therefore, it is each participants duty to wait until May 1st before printing out your final copy of the rules. There have been a few drafts at this point, mostly to correct ambiguities or typos. The latest draft is currently up at www.spearboardopen.com, and it is not expected to change unless there is another typo or need for clarification. Nonetheless to be safe, rules are not final until May 1.
Picking up Shirts/Meal Tickets
Anyone who orders shirts before May 5 will receive them by mail. If ordering after May 5, either through the internet, or on your registration form, you will receive them at the tournament. At the tournament, Spearboard will have a table set-up for with various Spearboard logo products you can buy. If you pre-ordered shirts, you can pick them up at this table. They will be in an envelope with your name printed, so it will be very organized.
There will also be a table set-up, probably as a part or near the weigh-in line, where entrants will go to get their meal tickets. You will get your mystery ticket in the same line.
Cooler Drop-off/Parking
You will recall that there is a gate that leads into the pavilion. This year, we want no vehicles past that gate. Last year, all of the vehicles created congestion and quickly clogged up the circular dirt path. Just before the gate there will be clearly marked an area called “Cooler Drop Off.” You will not have to carry your coolers inside the gate. We will have vehicles constantly running people with their coolers to the weigh-in line. Please be prepared to drop off your coolers in this area, and then park your vehicle so that other vehicles can easily get in to access the cooler drop-off area. When you are at the cooler drop off area, you are considered in the weigh-in line!
When you are done weighing your fish, these same vehicles will run you and your coolers to your park vehicle, and then circle back around to pick-up more coolers for the weigh-in lines.
Family Theme
Your entire family is welcome at the tournament. Many people brought their spouse and kids last year, and had a great time. We are working on having some activities for kids this year, as well. The only thing we ask where kids are concerned is to please supervise them, and keep them away from the prize table. There are obviously a lot of spears and spearguns, and displays that could be pushed over, so the prize table area is no place for young kids.
T-Shirts and Raffle
As you know, one enters the raffle by purchasing a Spearboard t-shirt. You can enter up to three times by purchasing up to three t-shirts. Internet shirt sales have stopped, and a very limited number will be available at the Capt's Meeting. A common question I get is: “Do I get a raffle ticket back when I order a shirt?” The answer is “no”, and here is how it works: Every time a shirt order comes in, it is entered on a MS Excel Spreadsheet. Each row on the spreadsheet has a number. If your order is entered on row “92”, then we enter a ticket with the number “92” on it. If you ordered two shirts, we enter “92” twice, and three “92s” go in if you got three shirts. Then, when we do the drawing on May 22, we simply pull a number and cross reference it with the spreadsheet. We do it this way because it is a lot easier to write down numbers. If you are curious as to what number you are, we will have a print out at the Spearboard Display table, and anyone can view it to see their number and confirm their entry.
Bottled Water and Soda
One of the biggest disruptions last year was that we ran out of water and soda, and I had to go to the store. The problem is that we had enough water and soda for twice the people that were there, and what we found is that many people would take a couple of sips, leave their drink somewhere, and then go get a new one. We had hundreds of near full bottles at the end of the tournament.
We are going to have a sharpie pen near the beverages. Please write your name on it, or do whatever else is necessary to keep track of your beverage. We want to continue to make this a tremendous value, with unlimited beverages, but we do need some cooperation. There was discussion about going to “ticket” system and limiting the number of beverages, but I do not want to do that. So, please help keep it unlimited beverages by not wasting.
Meal Tickets
Another issue last year was meal tickets. The BBQ meal on May 22 is included for all participants as part of their registration. If you want to bring any family or friends, it is only $10, which is less than my cost. However, we had TONS of people show up without meal tickets. A few even argued with volunteers about either the price or the fact that there were no more available.
Please understand this: I need to call my caterer at the end of the Captain’s Meeting to order a fixed number of meals. I base this number on the number of people registered, number of extra meal tickets purchased, and volunteers I am feeding. I order a limited number of extra meals. Therefore, if you want your friend or family member to enjoy the meal and beverage, please buy the extra meals tickets no later than the end of the Captain’s Meeting. I am flexible. Shooting me a PM or email and say, “I registered, but forgot (or want) meals tickets. I will paypal you $______ for the meal tickets.” Preferably, order them on the registration form, but if not, just email or show up at the Captain’s Meeting. I don’t know where else you can get unlimited beverages and BBQ for $10, so money should not be an issue. And please do not argue with a volunteer. If you have an issue that needs to be addressed, then I will be happy to talk with you.
Rule Changes
As stated in the rules:
Rule Changes
Rules may be changed until May 1, 2005. We do not anticipate many rule changes, and any future changes should be minor. All rule changes will be posted on www.spearboard.com and www.spearboardopen.com. Registrants are responsible for making sure they have checked for rule changes up until May 1, 2005.
Therefore, it is each participants duty to wait until May 1st before printing out your final copy of the rules. There have been a few drafts at this point, mostly to correct ambiguities or typos. The latest draft is currently up at www.spearboardopen.com, and it is not expected to change unless there is another typo or need for clarification. Nonetheless to be safe, rules are not final until May 1.
Picking up Shirts/Meal Tickets
Anyone who orders shirts before May 5 will receive them by mail. If ordering after May 5, either through the internet, or on your registration form, you will receive them at the tournament. At the tournament, Spearboard will have a table set-up for with various Spearboard logo products you can buy. If you pre-ordered shirts, you can pick them up at this table. They will be in an envelope with your name printed, so it will be very organized.
There will also be a table set-up, probably as a part or near the weigh-in line, where entrants will go to get their meal tickets. You will get your mystery ticket in the same line.
Cooler Drop-off/Parking
You will recall that there is a gate that leads into the pavilion. This year, we want no vehicles past that gate. Last year, all of the vehicles created congestion and quickly clogged up the circular dirt path. Just before the gate there will be clearly marked an area called “Cooler Drop Off.” You will not have to carry your coolers inside the gate. We will have vehicles constantly running people with their coolers to the weigh-in line. Please be prepared to drop off your coolers in this area, and then park your vehicle so that other vehicles can easily get in to access the cooler drop-off area. When you are at the cooler drop off area, you are considered in the weigh-in line!
When you are done weighing your fish, these same vehicles will run you and your coolers to your park vehicle, and then circle back around to pick-up more coolers for the weigh-in lines.
Family Theme
Your entire family is welcome at the tournament. Many people brought their spouse and kids last year, and had a great time. We are working on having some activities for kids this year, as well. The only thing we ask where kids are concerned is to please supervise them, and keep them away from the prize table. There are obviously a lot of spears and spearguns, and displays that could be pushed over, so the prize table area is no place for young kids.