How Ruff is too Ruff for a Tournament??

[Jesslyn]

How ruff is to ruff? (your definition)

This year the tournament schedule did fall on some bad weather days. I know that we all sign the release form that says the tournament nor the director or sponsors are responsible but is a director negligant for having a tournament in bad weather? (and if so how bad?)

Here is the situation, you are signed up for an event. Your one of 50 boats there is 40 - 50 thousand dollars on the line and I think a lot of people throw caution to the wind when there is big bucks to be won. I wonder if it will or can fall back onto the tournament directors shoulders as negligence for running an event in ruff (again with your definition not mine) seas.

[Uncle Buck]

That's the reason we didn't fish the Sword Lords tournament.

[lcagator]

Originally Posted by Jesslyn

How ruff is to ruff? (your definition)

This year the tournament schedule did fall on some bad weather days. I know that we all sign the release form that says the tournament nor the director or sponsors are responsible but is a director negligant for having a tournament in bad weather? (and if so how bad?)

Here is the situation, you are signed up for an event. Your one of 50 boats there is 40 - 50 thousand dollars on the line and I think a lot of people throw caution to the wind when there is big bucks to be won. I wonder if it will or can fall back onto the tournament directors shoulders as negligence for running an event in ruff (again with your definition not mine) seas.

In my opinion, it all depends what type of vessel you have. For instance, this past weekend there were a lot of 33 plus footers (Center Consoles) and a handful of sportfishers/expresses. On Saturday, I know of a few boats, including myself, that did not go out knowing how bad and potentially unsafe it was going to be; especially since I own a 29' express w/ outboards. At that point, even though I paid, I was not going to risk it. On the other hand, I know if I had a 40 plus foot sportfisher/express, I would have gone out. Thus, the bigger the machine, the safer I would feel; hence, the decision would have been different.

[ContenderWays]

I don't think it is smart as the tournament director to let people fish in 6-12 foot seas, especially at night. When someone gets hurt, im sure the rules will change.

[fish-master]

it should be if the seas get over 4-6 the tournament director should postpone the tourny to a different date. that way it makes it far for all size boats to compete in a tournament

[quack quack]

How many boats went down the night of the sword lords?

[Jesslyn]

Originally Posted by quack quack

How many boats went down the night of the sword lords?

3 Confirmed

[Jesslyn]

Originally Posted by lcagator

In my opinion, it all depends what type of vessel you have. For instance, this past weekend there were a lot of 33 plus footers (Center Consoles) and a handful of sportfishers/expresses. On Saturday, I know of a few boats, including myself, that did not go out knowing how bad and potentially unsafe it was going to be; especially since I own a 29' express w/ outboards. At that point, even though I paid, I was not going to risk it. On the other hand, I know if I had a 40 plus foot sportfisher/express, I would have gone out. Thus, the bigger the machine, the safer I would feel; hence, the decision would have been different.

I understand that this weekend there were alot of big boats that would of complained if the event was postponed but you dont forsake the CC's for the sportfish crowd or visa versa.

[CAPTINMITCH]

Originally Posted by Jesslyn

I understand that this weekend there were alot of big boats that would of complained if the event was postponed but you dont forsake the CC's for the sportfish crowd or visa versa.

If I were the tournament director, I think I'd rather have the big sporty folks hollering at me than to have to call somebody's wife and kids and tell them Daddy is never coming home because I didn't want to get yelled at.

[Darkside]

I have postponed events in the past due to bad weather and heard it from both sides. As tournament director i have felt that to put your competitors at risk is a lose lose situation. The bad seas isn't just a risk for your safety but is also usually bad fishing. The most recent tournament that we postponed was rescheduled twice and the weekend we fished we had 49 boats catch 117 swords, one of the best CPUE for any tournament as well as the most ever caught for a one night tournament. Good things come to those who wait. I would have POSTPONED the fishing in my tournament if Saturdays conditions were to be the night of fishing. In closing we fished till lines out and had some happy family members knowing we made it back safe and sound. That will be the last time of taking such a risk for such a small reward.

[Nick C]

Well put, Drew.
Conditions such as swordlords and saturday seem to suck for fishing. Unstable pressure seems to be huge. And the fast drift in makes for a shitty presentation.

I'm not sure what I would do. Not experienced enough to know. Thus why I am not a tournament director.

[Disco Lady]

COÑO!!!!!!! All they care about is your money these days not your life! that tournament should have been cancel in those kind of condition.

[ContenderWays]

Originally Posted by Disco Lady

COÑO!!!!!!! All they care about is your money these days not your life! that tournament should have been cancel in those kind of condition.

Right on. Absolutely Ridiculous to allow big boats, small boats, whatever to fish in seas and winds like that. Nobody wants to forfeit a win and for that they may take the risk and in turn lose their life, or someones on the boat.

[Jesslyn]

So how do you now go fish leg 1 of a 2 leg event knowing the show goes on in 8 - 10 foot seas?

[Nick C]

Never mind... mis read Matt's post.

No comments....

Dispite all this, I am looking forward to fish this event/series next year.

[lcosta02]

I'm sorry, but the show must go on. What happens to people that set their tournament schedules?

For example, let's say it's a sailfish tournament. There's one every weekend. What happens when they postpone and reschedule tournament A to the date of Tournament B? What are you going to tell the owner that he is going to lose money either way? I don't own a battlewagon, but if things are nasty you either go or you don't.

[lcagator]

Originally Posted by lcosta02

I'm sorry, but the show must go on. What happens to people that set their tournament schedules?

For example, let's say it's a sailfish tournament. There's one every weekend. What happens when they postpone and reschedule tournament A to the date of Tournament B? What are you going to tell the owner that he is going to lose money either way? I don't own a battlewagon, but if things are nasty you either go or you don't.

Everyone, IMO, it is not the directors fault. This years tournament, like in past years, was great. The set up is awesome, the people who fish it are the best of the best, and it is an all out a great time.

You can not control the weather, so, they leave it to the boats to call it if it is too rough. Heck, I did. It is a tough call, especially when the people who are involved in putting together the event have done so much for it. You just can not control everything. How do you think I feel about putting in $1250 for the entry and over $500 in calcutta's without having the ability to fish the second night; with only two fish landed being first place. It is what it is.

What's the next issue, lightning? You just never know and must hold you life in your own hands. It is that simple. We should not blame the directors, especially when they have worked their tales off to pull the events off. My hats off to all of them .

Can you imagine if they cancel the Sailfish Kickoff, The Bob Lewis, Mayors Cup, Miami Billfish, etc. The ramifications for everything scheduled thereafter would be a disaster.

My only complaint about the sword tournament this year, is that the directors did not throw enough fish in the sea for everyone to catch. Damn them! Such poor planning on their part.

[Disco Lady]

COÑO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Captain Joe McGivern]

Originally Posted by Jesslyn

How ruff is to ruff? (your definition)

This year the tournament schedule did fall on some bad weather days. I know that we all sign the release form that says the tournament nor the director or sponsors are responsible but is a director negligant for having a tournament in bad weather? (and if so how bad?)

Here is the situation, you are signed up for an event. Your one of 50 boats there is 40 - 50 thousand dollars on the line and I think a lot of people throw caution to the wind when there is big bucks to be won. I wonder if it will or can fall back onto the tournament directors shoulders as negligence for running an event in ruff (again with your definition not mine) seas.

Where is tighty? I would like to hear his comments on this subject. After all his tourneys were great

[Jesslyn]

Originally Posted by lcagator

Everyone, IMO, it is not the directors fault. This years tournament, like in past years, was great. The set up is awesome, the people who fish it are the best of the best, and it is an all out a great time.

Lcagator, I agree with your post. There is no doubt that Rick Peoples does an excellant job. His event is first class. The origional question is, how ruff is too ruff. If the show goes on in 10 foot seas, then in your mind would it go on in 12-14 foot seas etc.? The second part of the question is for all tournament directors, If you have a tournament in ruff seas (small craft advisory) and something does happen can the director be held liable for negligence?