Can there be too many armwrestling tournaments?

[Eric Roussin]

I’d like to know how everyone feels about this subject. Currently there is an average of about 15 OAA tournaments held each year. However, I know that it would be relatively easy to have 25-30+ events each year. I’m starting to be contacted more frequently by fair and festival organizers, bar owners, and armwrestlers who are interested in holding events. I think this is great, but I think we should be cautious regarding how many events are run. Almost everyone who puts on an event wants to get a big turnout. Currently, circuit events are averaging 90+ entries, while regular sanctioned events are averaging closer to 60. The big events (MGC, Provincials) get well over 100 entries. However, if all of a sudden there were twice as many events, would I be correct to assume average attendance levels would drop? And if so, are we fine with this if it would means more choice regarding which events to attend?

20+ years ago, there were more events being run, probably 30+ each year. Although I wasn’t competing back then, I hear lots of pullers attended many of these events. However, with significant increases in gas prices, I don’t think it’s realistic to expect pullers will compete every other weekend throughout the year, travelling up to several hundred kilometres each time. Maybe I’m wrong – let me know your thoughts on this.

I think there is room for more small regional events – a handful of extra events in each of the different regions. Some of these could be designated amateur. Some could have fewer classes. Some could use different formats. However, I think tournament directors who put on these events would have to lower their expectations and be satisfied if the event only gets 30 or 40 entries.

I’m looking for feedback on these issues, as we’re trying to establish the event schedule for the remainder of the year, and we want it to be good as possible for both the promoters and the pullers.

Any and all comments are appreciated.

[Steve Noonan]

Personally I have chosen to only pull the circut events this year and provincials to help prepare for Nationals. I also am faced with the fact I am a new puller and need the rest in between events and to much rest cuts into my ability to build more muscle and deal with tendon pain and building. I predict by next year I will be more suited for more events and will be in it more for the fun and will attend more smaller events. I do also think there is the need for more smaller events to get new pullers hooked and get the bug to grow the sport we have to walk the fine line to grow but not discourage at the same time.

[Deleted]

After reading Erics post I find myself nodding to the majority of it. Although it is nice to have diverse and numerous events, I still like the idea of a weekend travel to an event. With too many close to home we might also find ourselves not venturing out of our "pond" to find out we are a very little fish.

I do agree with a different post that in Ontario we have many top notch pullers and when all come out to play it is a showdown for sure, but this happens only sometimes.

I agree with Steve that many events could be aimed at the Novice/Amateur so some fun could be had. For those that say, "we never had amateur", I am sorry for that, but it is nice once in a blue moon to go 3 and out or 4 and out instead of here is my donation, dont hand my ass to me too hard. This is why I have added the Novice class to the COAC and I may add an Amateur class as well. We have had unique success with the Novice, and most are just interested parties but once bitten jump into the circuit with relish.

So after I have jumped all over with this, I think I would say larger events need be careful not to distract from other larger events, while smaller fair, novice/amateur events can be held in high number as long as the promoter sets them up with the knowledge that they may only get 20-40 pullers, kind of like the Marmora one Tony the Pimp runs. Great little tourney, but your not getting people from 100 miles away generally.

[Pierre Madison]

u should do trnmt closer to quebec like ottawa brockville cornwall

[Fayez Moutassem]

I think tournaments in major cities such as toronto and/or mississauga would draw good attention from the public

[Bilal Kreidieh]

Mar 31, 2011 18:18:56 GMT -5 Fayez Moutassem said:

I think tournaments in major cities such as toronto and/or mississauga would draw good attention from the public

Agreed.

[Pierre Madison]

i agree but its not everyone that wants to drive 6 hour for an event in toronto i live in quebec and toronto is 6 hour drive

[Daylan Thomas]

F@#K No! more more more hahaha

[Tony Brooks]

I think local fair tournaments are great and would like to be apart of running more of them. This is great for amateurs and the best setting for kids. After promoting the Marmora fair I was contacted by 3 other fairboards so it must have went over well for all. These are fun small and great for the young pullers of tomorrow. I guess to answer you Eric, for me right now I feel more would be good.

[silverback]

Personally I think you have to look back to what has been going on in the past ten years and evaluate your next tourney from there. I think the sport is headed in the right direction so lets not complicate the direction this sport is going by having arguments or trying to change things too much. Its a simple sport to which promoters and supporters are doing a phenomenal job and I couldn't be happier since all I have to do is show up and pull. In the past such as the 80s this sport was a big fad like the UFC when it first began and so the number of pullers was bigger then but the sport is surviving and so far the numbers are getting slightly larger. So with all this, congratulations go out to all those who keep this sport going!

Silverback

[Marc Vachon]

Think of armwrestling like math... we start learning our addition subtraction early, move on to long division, algebra and eventual Calculus! Sure, people will fall out along the way and some people will probably never make it to Cal 1. However, you need to provide a structure for people to follow. The better the structure, the easier it will be to venture into this sport, and the better feedback you'll have along the way.

Eric, if you're getting more requests I would angle setting up tournaments in this manner - Entry Level (never competed before), Amateur (started with an armwrestling team, but fairly new to the sport), Amateur/Pro (where amateur pullers can get experience pulling with the big boys), Pro.

Thoughts?

[Eric Roussin]

I agree that different divisions could be a good thing. Are you suggesting that events offer all of these divisions, or only one of them?

At the Brockville Ribfest event this summer, I will likely be holding two different divisions: novice/amateur and open.

[Marc Vachon]

Hey Eric,

With the volume of tournaments you can potentially have, I would set up tournaments as only Entry Level, Amateur, Amateur/Pro (Open), Pro. I would not have separate divisions @ a single tournament.

[Leo Ayotte]

I think more is better in terms of tournaments but I don't agree with the novice idea, pro/am is more simple for promoters and you learn the most is usualy after when you talk and pull with the pros.

[Deleted]

I can see if u have a cash class, then adding a trophy class(amateur) is practical. Other than that, having 2 trophy classes (essentially 2 amateur classes) is laughable. My philosophy is not to cater to the novices. Instead If I'm running an event, I ll have an open class (per weight class) and just add prizes to 5th or 6 th place. That way with a decent draw and 1-2 wins a reletive amateur/novice can have a payoff.
But at the end of the day, I ll personally vote for the format that brings the most bodies to the event. End of.