Info for The Gathering of the Clans event

What is it?

The Gathering of the Clans is a Scottish Surfing Team Competition organised by theScottish Surfing Federation. The main purpose of Gathering of the Clans is to unite the Scottish surfers through a surfing competition. There will be a brief update of what’s been happening in Scottish Surfing and then possibly a social event during the evening.

Where is it?

Fraserburgh Beach (May be moved to a more suitable location in the Fraserburgh area depending on the swell on the day).

When is it?

14th– 15th November

How does it work?

A team of up to 10 surfers come together to form a Clan. There are 5 divisions contested Open, Juniors, Ladies, Longboard and Seniors. Each team member cancompete in a division and receive points for their Clan based on how well they surf against others in their division. The Clan with the most overall points at the end of the event wins the Gathering of the Clans.

Sponsorship

Sponsorship for this year’s event will be put forward by Granite Reef, Tiki and O’Neill Clothing. A Trophies will be awarded to the winning Clan members along with the ‘Gathering of the Clans’ Highland Queche.

What happens if there is no waves?

A call will be made between Wednesday - Friday prior tothe event to make sure it's going ahead and will be posted on www.scottishsurfingfederation.com If there is no swell forecast it is planned to move the competition, prize giving and the social event to the 17th– 18th October failing that the 24 – 25th October or the 14- 15th November in Fraserburgh otherwise it may be postponed until 2010.

Competition Aspect:

William Watson will act as contest organiser and Iain Masson will act as contest director who has the overall say if the competition is to go ahead, where it is to be held,and will make the final call for the judging of the event. Entry cost £20 per clan with proceeds will go towards the Scottish Surfing Federation. Everyone planning on entering the competition will have to join the Scottish Surfing Federation inorder to take part (Joining fee 2009 = £12 for Full Membership/ £7 Junior membership).

How does the Competition work?

The teams are made up of 10 competitors with a Captain (Clan chief) and at least 2 entrees capable and willing to judge. Each team will have 10 scoring surfers in the event. There are 5 divisions that will be contested:

•Open
•Juniors (under 18 on 01/01/09)
•Ladies
•Longboard (minimum 9ft long)
•Senior (Aged 30 or over on 01/01/09)

Points will be awarded in each division based on the following scoring system: 100pts for 1st, 80 for 2nd, 65 for 3rd, 50 for 4th, 40 for 5th, 30 for 6th, 25 for 7th, 20 for 8th.

How to register:

It would also be gratefully appreciated if anyone considering entering a team(especially clan chiefs) or coming along to the competition could register their team in advance to enable smooth running on the day. To register your interest or for further information thecompetition aspect please contact scottishwaveriders@gmail.com

Clan Scoring Example:

A team could be submitted consisting of 6 junior competitors and 4 Open competitors. Through scoring of the event the maximum that team would be able to score would be 660 points(1st– 6thin the juniors + 1st– 4th in the Open = 100 + 80 + 65 + 50 + 40 +30 + 100 + 80 +65 + 50 = 660points). The highest possible scoring for a team would be having 2 competitors in each category scoring the team 900 points (100 + 80 + 100 + 80 + 100 + 80 + 100 + 80 + 100 + 80 = 900).Team managers may also decide to strategically plan their team, for example if they think there will not be as many competitors taking place in say for example the senior event than the openevent (e.g. 3 senior competitors & 20 Open competitors) then they may wish to put more competitors under the senior division with the hope of increasing their chances of scoring morepoints. This competition format allows the Clan Chief to play a critical role in selecting and managing an appropriate team. The success of clans who have won previous events has been down to the strategic planning of a good Clan Chief.

Clan points

•The Clan Chief will enter the team on the day stating which of their 10 person team competes in which division.
•It is the responsibility of the Clan chiefs to ensure that all those competing in their clan have joined the Scottish Surfing Federation.
•Whilst taking entries for the event the Clan Chiefs should present their completed Clan Entry form along with any SSF membership forms and fees for competitors competing in their Clan.
•If a team has less than 10 then some of their team may compete in more than one division to make up their 10 scorers.
•Minimum team size is 8 people.
•All entries must be in by 9:30 on the day of the event.
•After all entries are taken the contest director will make the draw for the various divisions.
•If a competitor is unable to make their heat without supplying a legitimate reason their clan will be penalised 50 points. (This will be left to the discretion of the competition director.)
•Judges WILL be needed and we encourage those who can help out to do so.
•At least 2 members of each team should be capable and willing to judge.
•There is no limit on the number of competitors a team can enter in any division.
•It is strongly advised that all those coming to the event should bring warm waterproof clothes.
•Entry will be restricted to representatives from a Scottish Area unless by formal invitefrom the Scottish Surfing Federation, in other words it is understandable that some teams, in particular university teams, may put forward some competitors representing their area that are not Scottish by descent. This will be accepted however these competitors should be capable of proving their legibility (e.g. Kelly Slater, should he wish to enter, would have to prove he is a student at a Scottish University). The purpose of Gathering of the Clans is get as much Scottish surfers together as possible and it is important to ensure that people are not put off going to the competition if they don't think they can get a team together. We will do our best to cater for this, it may involve tweaking the competition to suit on the day and this may be through having a few teams made up of surfers from across Scotland.

Hope to see you there!