2003 Nationals in Grande Prairie, AB June 28-30, 2003

[Roberto]

Just to make this official, due to the Vancouver venue being yanked out from underneath the BC organizers, the nationals have been relocated to Grande Prairie, Alberta on June 28,29,30,2003. BC people, Thanks for working hard on finding an alternate venue.

For people coming up to Grande Prairie, we are about 4.5 hours drive north west of Edmonton. Flying in boats to GP is not practical. After speaking to many out of country and out of province paddlers, we are looking at organizing transportation from Edmonton to GP to keep competitors costs down and helping them get here.

The venue is a man made pond in the a figure 8 shape and has live fish (so you know the water is clean). This venue was used to host the 2000 Alberta Summer Games Canoe Polo event. We plan to have two pitches. One larger for Open and Club A and a slighly smaller pitch for the Club B, C and youth divisions.

The pond is in the cente of the city and is a great venue that will bring a high profile to the event.

Since we started organizing today we have lots to work out, but we will try and make it a great event for all. Information will be posted here and on the club website:

http://www.telusplanet.net/public/rak_acl/wwwpaddlers.html

Hope to see you here.
Rob Kerestes

[Roberto]

Attached in MsWord is the entry form for the 2003 Canadian Nationals. Also you can get it from the Wapiti Whitewater Paddlers website:

http://www.telusplanet.net/public/rak_acl/wwwpaddlers.html

Looking forward to seeing lots of entries.
Best Regards
RK

[Izzy]

For people coming up to Grande Prairie, we are about 4.5 hours drive north west of Edmonton. Flying in boats to GP is not practical.

Flying in boats to Edmonton is not practical too. If I am not mistaken there was a plan to bring Edmonton' boats to GP for using them by everybody. Is it so? If not, what is the best way to bring boats from USA to GP?

[Roberto]

All paddling equipment will be provided free of charge as part of the event registration fee (we have planned to rent approx 25 sets of equipment for the event for the competitors use).

If you still want to try and bring your boats you will have to fly to Edmonton, since flying boats to GP is not practical due to the fact that only smaller planes fly here.

I encourage you to use the free equipment. If you insist on bringing your boat, possibly room on a boat trailer could be found depending on your arrival time.
RK

[rlogan]

Robert,

I see a Club A, Open Men, and Masters division. I'm curious how teams are entering. We want to enter our SF team with all your best clubs, but also it would be good to enter US national teams too. For example SF team in Club A along with BC, wapiti, EWP, etc, and in Open Men US A, US B, along with Canada A, B, C, etc.

will the Open Men be "restricted" to national teams?

are international teams discouraged from entering in the club A division?

[sp_edey]

Right now Rob is in Hungry, but I believe Club A for anyone from your club and open is just exhibition with whoever you want on your team. Masters I believe is just going tobe exhibition as well.

Clinton

[steffers]

Hey all, are there going to be any accomidations for the tourney in June or do we need to book a hotel? heh we're kinda nickel and diming this one so if anyone has any suggestions that would be greatly appreciated. thanks
-Steph

[sp_edey]

I believe Rob has some accomidations setup but if he has them filled up I have some extra space at my place. When you arrive here give me a call on my cell (17805052185) and we'll see what we can do. By the way when exactly is everyone arriving from outta country, we're always in need of more polo players to train with.
Clinton

[sp_edey]

What teams have been entered so far? Wapiti Club A is:
Rob Kerestes
Judy Kerestes
Brad Cameron
Tina Larson
Kyle Polsfut
Lee Wilson
Clinton Edey
I think this is our team and this is the year that the championship comes home!! :ninja: HA!

Open mens-Polar Bears:
Brad Cameron-The machine
Andrew Rymes-Shooter
Keegan Smith-?
Clinton Edey-Speedey

[Roberto]

Sorry for being out of the loop for a while. I have been on the road for the last few weeks. With getting 1200 spam emails it has been hard to dial in and get to my email account. I now have spam killer software so that problem is mostly resolved for now.

Answers to questions that have been posted:

- no accomodations like billeting were planned. This was primarily due to the fact that there was no way the 10 or so people who play polo here in GP could accomodate everyone. Therefore I have listed hotels and campgrounds in Grande Prairie. However, Iif local club members are willing to billet I certainly encourage it. I will put out a email to the club members to see who is willing to take billets. I will then post that information here. Arrangements will then be done without the organizing commitees involvement.

- With regards to entries. The competitive division will be Club A. Open men, Open women and masters are exhibition only and there will probably be only one game against each team in this catagories. For the Open men I expext to see a Canada A, Canada B, USA A, USA B and Brads team as entries.

- Also to clarify, Club A is the COMPETITIVE catagory where we are trying to have a true national "CLUB" champion. International teams also enter here but are encouraged to enter on a club basis (i.e. Open Men is when USA A and Canada A would enter). International teams will be ghosted from the Club A,B,C and Youth results.

Hope this helps answers questions. I will keep everyone posted and the website updated.

Later
Rob K

[Roberto]

I have spoken to a local hotel (close to the venue) and they have this special pricing for the event (by the way other hotels could be less expensive). Just mention you are with the Canadian Canoe Polo Championships. Also I have emailed club members to see if anyone can billet. Anyone driving from Texas deserves to be billeted! I will post the contact information for people willing to billet right here.
RK

Service Plus Inns & Suites
1-888-875-INNS (4667)
For toll free reservations, Grande Prairie, AB

We will offer a sport rate (up to 4 people/room) of $85.00 plus taxes, which includes a deluxe complimentary continental breakfast each morning.

Book a minimum of 6 rooms and receive (just state you are part of the Canadian Canoe Polo Championships.

3 FREE Pizzas
2 FREE Movies
FREE Team Breakfast
FREE Room for Bus Driver
FREE use of pool
FREE use of fitness room
FREE use of Indoor 210 foot waterslide
FREE use of hot tub

[lambdapro]

I sure appreciate y'all looking after our young Tornadoes. They are mighty charged up about a big road trip.

David
Dallas

[Roberto]

For anyone may be interested the will be two Pre- Nationals Canoe polo camp held in Grande Prairie.

Please contact Brad Cameron:
brad.cameron@weyerhaeuser.com
or 780-539-8658

Youth camp Cost $25/youth
Advanced camp $40/advanced

Pre-Nationals Canoe Polo Camps
June 25,2003 Wed
5:00 PM 7:00 PM Novice Canoe Polo Camp
6:30 PM 9:00 PM Advanced Canoe Polo Camp

June 26,2003 Thur
11:00 AM 1:00 PM Advanced Canoe Polo Camp
4:00 PM 6:00 PM Novice Canoe Polo Camp
4:00 PM 5:30 PM Advanced Canoe Polo Camp
7:00 PM 8:30 PM Advanced Canoe Polo Camp


June 27,2003 Fri
10:00 AM 12:00 PM Advanced Canoe Polo Camp
2:30 PM 4:00 PM Advanced Canoe Polo Camp