A.S.R.A
Hi All, Yes I am new to this forum and I just wanted to know what part of the skate racing community ASRA represents?? Is it all skate racing, Just Slalom, Just Downhill or what?? I noticed on the events page the only events in Australia are Slalom events.
Are there any plans to hold more events that include Downhill Skateboard, Streetluge, Classicluge etc.
I understand that ASRA held Newtons Playground and have the World cup in 2009 but what is happening in the meantime for local Downhill skaters and Streetluge riders??
As I said I am new to this site I don't want to cause waves. I am just curious becuase when I signed up it asked what sport I was interested in, Slalom, Giant Slalom, Ditch, Luge or Classic Luge and yet there only seems to be Slalom events?
Are there any plans to hold more events that include Downhill Skateboard, Streetluge, Classicluge etc.
I understand that ASRA held Newtons Playground and have the World cup in 2009 but what is happening in the meantime for local Downhill skaters and Streetluge riders??
As I said I am new to this site I don't want to cause waves. I am just curious becuase when I signed up it asked what sport I was interested in, Slalom, Giant Slalom, Ditch, Luge or Classic Luge and yet there only seems to be Slalom events?
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Ash on
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Hey Paul (im guessing this is Paul Carey :D )
we have been discussing the possibility of a downhill event in adelaide, but the logistics of it all are quite huge. From my understanding, the orginisation / legal stuff to put on a "legal" downhill event is BIG, especially in comparison to a slalom event.
For a slalom event the "risk" is alot smaller, as riders are travelling at slower speeds, on smaller hills, so there isnt the need for hay bales, the streets they take place on are generally shorter, and can fairly easily be done on any road, so a road that is out of the way can be picked.
wheras with a DH event, there is alot more risk of injury, so therefor alot more precautions need to be made. corners have to be bailed and manned with marshals. large road closures and diversions need to be set up. Massive public liability insurance and the like needs to be set up. etc etc.
i am all for more races here in aus. bathurst was an absolute blast, and would love to have more races around. its just a shame that it is something that is so difficult to get going.
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Permalink Reply by Andrew Smith on
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If an organisation was set-up to run Classic luge and Luge events here in Oz, and worked closely with ASRA and the IGSA, how many riders, overall, do you think would commit to it, Ash? Newton's was unreal for the sport, and '09 will be bigger with ALOT more international competitors, so staging legal/sanctioned events would be the best way to advance the sport, making it a good proposition for sponsorship monies. Luge and classic are definately harder to stage, but it's not an insurmountable task, if the riding community get behind it.
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im not to sure what the numbers are like in the classic / luge community here in aus. i havent really followed it much since about 2004 when my mates and i started to luge.
i was under the understanding that ASRA were a "sanctioning body" for all skate related sports (luge include), though i may be wrong.
with the success of newtons, the potential size of it next year, and also the success our riders have been having overseas, it will be a massive boost for our spot. i think what would need to happen is a basic proposal be given to council outlining what the sport is all about, how it is growing (here and around the world) with plans on how races would be organised, street closures sorted, safety precautions taken, and everything we can think of to take to council.
also an idea, if we can get a few guys together (im more than happy to help) along with the ASRA reps and come up with a basic proposal, we could have a rep from each state go to their local council / surrounding councils and put this proposal forward, we can get a bigger range of what they would like to see, and having it put out everywhere, possibly lead to getting an australian series off the ground. i personally deal with brisbane city council almost every day with my job, so i would be more than happy to get onto it up this way.
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Permalink Reply by Phill C on
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I understand all of the logistics of holding an event and added dangers involved with Downhill events.
Would ASRA help & support an event that Downhill skaters, Slalom, Streetluge, Classic luge & also Gravity Bikes could all be involved in if it were in a public park that could be hired?
While the track is no Mt Panorama infact far from that, it has an extremely smooth surface and top speeds of about 60kmph.
I don't want to speak on behalf of all the streetluge community but I am pretty certain that If an event could be organised they would be 100% involved.
With the numbers in all Downhill sports increasing in OZ since Bathurst the push and need for a unified body that represents all partys has been shown definately within the luge community. That is my reason for questioning wether ASRA represents the other Downhill sports such as Luge, Buttboard and standup.
If so what support can it provide in terms of holding an event?
Can it obtain Public Liability insurance and put together safety management plans?
While I know that there may be some hesitation in including the riskier sports in events, in that if somebody is injured it can damage the whole scene, in saying that, Both Streetluge and Standup have the ability to draw crowds with the Wow factor and showcase to the public sports that they may not be aware exist such as slalom.
I think if we all work together as one big community we could put on some kick ass events showcasing some of the worlds best riders in all disciplines!
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By the way my name is Phill, and in terms of numbers in luge and classic luge I know that within sydney (where I live) the numbers have more than doubled in the past year with riders heading out every weekend to ride hills illegally. I'm sure if they had the choice they would much prefer hit a hay bail than a steel barrier!
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welcome mate, sorry got you confused with another sydney rider who i know as PC aswell.
it will be interesting to hear what the ASRA fellas have to say about it all, im not to sure what the deal is myself, so will be good to find out exactly what ASRA is all about.
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Permalink Reply by Brad NS on
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Hey phil welcome mate
JUST MY THOUGHTS
being involed in luge, buttboard and down hill for many years . I think ASRA and the people running it are the leading force in ALL downhill and slalom events for australia !!!
Newtons would not have happened without ASRA and its loyal helpers ! my hat goes off to you all !
I have taken up some slalom this year to help show my support .
ASRA is our best bet do date for real racing events in australia !!
Brad NS 5th buttboard NP 08
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I agree totally, Brad, with support being given to ASRA and their involvement in Bathurst, and it being applauded. In that vane I think the IGSA also need a big mention here.
We have great talent in ALL gravity disciplines in Oz, and to continue in advancing our respective discplines well organised and sanctioned events like Bathurst are almost a must. ASRA did an unreal job, and the World Championships in Nov'09 will firmly put Australia on the map internationally. Huge outlaw runs, etc, don't help ASRA or the IGSA in their endeavours to get events happening.....the potential for bad publicity is huge. My original question came in regards to ASRA being supported, and if it would help, overall, a group set up to help concentrate on Classic and Streetluge, and this being done within the realm of ASRA. I organised in the late '90's, so I know how hard it is, beleive me.
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Permalink Reply by Duff on
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Hey Phill you've raised some good points, I think ASRA is on the front foot in regards to future downhill events based on the success of NPG and with NPG 09 now 13 months away i think there is enough time for at least one Regional event prior to next November. The scene here in Adelaide is growing rapidly in both stand up, luge, G bike as is also the case for the rest of the country.
I would like to ask the ASRA guys what can be done to help guys from each state that are keen to hold a race in their respective cities?
- Should we assign an ASRA rep for each state?
- Should these reps along with others from that state head up an event proposal plan and start pitching it to councils?
If each state gets the ball rolling for a race we will have a larger chance of another race "somewhere" next year.
As has been the case for the last 10 yrs in this country, public liability insurance is the biggest hurdle to overcome when it comes time to put on a race. Im not sure what the insurance deal was for NPG but can ASRA get it again for another race? Can ASRA get yearly cover for a certain amount of races?
I'd love to know the answers to these questions so feel free to give us some insight those that are in the know!
Nick
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Permalink Reply by Hop on
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Hop here, I'll add a bit on the discussion from the ASRA side.
The biggest hurdle ASRA has is volunteers. I know that sounds lame, everyone always pitches in to help. But a lot of work goes into organsing an event. On the day, it is a huge task. Normally the lead people do not get to enjoy the day as much as they would have hoped. However, part of the fun is seeing all the hard work pay off. If you were at Newton's you would have seen how much work Haggy, Fitz, Pete Smith, and Greg did. That is not taking away from all fantastic volunteers ASRA had at Newton's. We had guys and girls doing 8 hour shifts (and the rest) with few breaks, but huge smiles on their faces.
Hundreds of hours of work goes into a big event in the six months lead up. Just little stuff is time consuming. It can consume your life, make you put other projects on hold ... just ask Fitz.
So to get additional events done we need people to head up projects. ASRA can provide total support and help, we have the management plans in place, we have safety plans in place. We need someone to take ownership and commit to it. That is the only way it will happen. And it is a big commitment. You will be liaising with government, asra, media, sponsors, etc. You will get your mates and skate friends to help, but in reality you'll have to do it all.
So if you know a good venue, and you think you can handle the truth... and the work load. Call me, lets do it.
You need to give yourself time. You can not organise something in a month. Government and councils will kill you in the time it takes to make a decision. If an insurance company says they get back to you next week, it will take three. If councilior says they will make a decision next month, it will take three and you be on the phone to them every day. People will say they will call you and they want, you have to call them. And everyone will say no, but you have to keep going and push it through.
You want to do a race in 2009? Now is the time to start, got to get it on the calandar. Set a date. Now Newton's is set, the dates will disappear quick.
I'll try and write more later, here is a few quick questions answered.
Does ASRA represent the sport? No and Yes. No, because skaters represent their sport. ASRA is just a bunch of skaters get organised. Yes, because there is no one else. In the sense we are skaters, it is a true association, we have no hidden agendas. We have no problems with any of the other gravity sports - the more the better. What is the future. ASRA is an evolving association. We have not put any limits of it. It will go where it is needed and do what it has to do depending on its memebers and skaters (That's you guys). My opinion is ASRA will be turn into a national association that is a umbrella for all gravity sports. Luge guys will have their part, bikes their, downhill have their part, slalom their etc etc and whatever is next - extreme downhill skooters (dont laugh, you know it is coming). ASRA will not control these sports. Think of the sports as clubs or associations within ASRA. If we are separate and independent we are easy to be ignored, we will fight with each other, blah blah blah. Together we are a force that will create mountains to skate on (or luge on or bike on or skooter on or roller on !!!!)
So what is next for ASRA. We need state associations. We need reps for all the sports nationally and on a state level. We need state championship competitions (your event could be it). And national championship competitions. We need to get memberships up. We need paying members. We need to get skate industry involved, that is distributors, and skateshops.
Everyone gets scared when I say paying members. Paying raises funds but mostly it is a token payment. Government does not put too much value on members that are free, shows no commitment. Paying membership they notice.
If we can get that done - you will see government involvement. Everyone will sit up and notice us. And that is where it gets interesting. We become a recognised sport, and all the funding that goes with it. There is no reason why we can not have a gravity park in every state. A big hill for everyone to use 24/7, no cars.
Insurance. It is getting easier to get. It is not that much money. It is the least of your worries in organising an event.
Money. Yes this is the big one. It costs a lot to put on a big event - or one involving a big hill with luge and standup.
Haybales will cost you anywhere from $5000 to $20,000 depending on the hill and course.
Your budget on a big race is $30k to $50k. You can blow unlimited amounts of money if you have it.
Sponsors is how you do it. If you want to head up a race in your area, and you are prepared to do the work, I'll find you the money.
Does ASRA want to do a big race series? Yes. Are we planning one? Yes we have talked about it but the human resources are not there yet, as we grow, get more members, it will come. We have also talked about a regional race series around Oceana Asia. Anything is possible if people are prepared to do the work.
What is planned for 2009? We want to do a second big race in 2009. However it has all been on hold waiting for Newton's Playground 2009 dates to be set. We now have them so yes something will get planned. Maybe three big races in 2009? Newtons, a lead up race to Newtons and maybe a big race earlier in the year - around March/April where Newton's was going to be. There are plenty of ideas floating around. I am happy to hear ideas but they are just talk unless you want to do something. You want to put your body and mind on the line for an event? That is what I want to hear - call me James Hopkin - Hopkin Racing - mobile 0402 831356 or warehouse 02 80601588 or office 02 94397800. Bring it.
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Premium MemberPermalink Reply by haggy on -
This is a great discussion to be having. Thanks to you all for your input.
Hop pretty much nailed it and I won't go through and repeat points he has already made.
I think it is worth adding a bit of historical perspective to this discussion, which will help people understand how ASRA came about in the first place. ASRA was formed with the intention of getting a body together that could sanction events. We were running a lot of outlaw slalom events and wanted to be able to get insurance to run legal events. We now have this capacity. More on insurance further down.
So - in its inception ASRA was formed with the intention of having a body that we could use to get insurance, etc and run legal events. At first the focus was on slalom simply because that is what most of us who formed ASRA did. However, as has become clear (I hope!) ASRA aims to be much more than that. As the downhill speed sports expand in Oz we would like to be able to provide people who are interested in organising an event the platform to do so. That means the first hurdle of insurance is taken care of. Then the real work starts, as Hop has talked about.
Going into Newton's Playground we were not sure exactly how insurance would work. In the end we got it sorted out. I thought we may have some problems getting coverage for streetluge but this turned out to be no worry at all. We can basically run any downhill event we want (stand-up, luge, buttboard, gravity bike, inline) with insurance covering the whole deal. Basically we are now in a position where we can get annual insurance for any number of events we want. ASRA then can provide that insurance to anyone who wants to organise a race, for example in Adelaide or Melbourne or wherever.
I would love to see ASRA have a more active race calendar. I think Newton's showed us all what a great event we can throw here in Oz. But having more races is dependant on people stepping up the plate and shouldering responsibility for running an event. As Hop has explained it is extremely time-demanding and while very rewarding, definitely not always fun. Everyone involved in Newton's spent huge amounts of their own time to get the event happening. That's in addition to jobs and families and other commitments. The great thing tho is that we now have the experience from running one big event and have a much better idea about the hurdles and endless details that need to overcome in future events.
ASRA could probably improve in terms of communicating more regularly and publicly with you, the racing public. We will endeavour to do so. Lets keep up the dialogue and make 09 a rad year for racing in Oz.
As with Hop, feel free to call me anytime - 0417 499 404
Cheers,
Haggy - ASRA
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Premium MemberPermalink Reply by Mic W on -
How about adding a PDF file to download for joining ASRA as a paid member?
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