Match attendance, web sight, what else to fix?

[dvc]

The little poll on the general competetion forum showed only the crappy websight and the lack of ranges as the problems with FRIDPA, and Tom Freeman had some great observations about other culprits. Our last Clear Creek match had only 16 shooters.

So, we have a new websight. I have tried some searches, and I am finding it easier and easier to stumble into info on FRIDPA. As far as there not being enough ranges, I can't agree because we can't even fill the two we have. So here is the question and the crux of my post: what do we do now? What is the next step in fixing this thing and getting participation back up to a reasonable leveL (which I will arbitrarily define as, say 30-40 like it was a couple of years ago). In addition to new shooters, we have dozens if not hundreds of experienced shooters who are now staying away in droves. We have a mostly new board, we have several very "new people oriented" shooters such as Tom, and the politics seems to be calming down.

So what is it? Is it the stages? Is is holdover from all of the strife? I wonder if we need to do a little marketing. The BOD can't do it all, would the general membership be willing to ask thier Gun dealers of choice to hand out cards or flyers with gun purchases or something of that nature? What about a gun show booth? Would that even help?

I worry that at the current participation level, CCCSC is going to decide that we are not bringing in enough revenue to justify the range time. Within the bounds of constructive criticism, I think a little brainstorming would be healthy. BTW, it was good to see you back at the CC FRIDPA match, Tom.

-Matt Freeman, FRIDPA BOD

[un-tactical]

One thing that would be helpful is putting the class schedule up front. I've a few friends who were interested up until I told them about the required class, which we could never find.

[cheapo]

I agree. Knowing when the class is, how much it costs, how long it is, will someone be able to compete the same day as the class, etc would be helpful to new shooters.

I also think that 16 at CC for January isn't too bad. Many IDPA folks are 'fair weather' shooters. How many January's in the past several years have we even had a IDPA match in January?

Having flyers available at as many CCW classes as you can find will increase IDPA matches. Granted IDPA is a 'game' but any new CCW holder will be able to improve their skills by participating. It would be good to appoach new shooters that way, that it will improve their skills.

my 2 cents.

Maybe 16 in Jan. isn't that bad (although Pueblo's Jan. match was at least twice that size) but our matches have been averaging maybe 20 shooters for a while now, and almost all new people (not that there is anything wring w/ new people, but I think a mix with more experience helps everyone). So the January match specifically was not my point. In general, we are not getting very good turnouts. I think the point about tracking down the safety class is a valid one; I remember how hard it was for me.

[DanaT]

How to get more participation. That is a very good question.

One thing that I want to point out is that you give away C-notes to all shooters and it wouldn't change some things. For instance, my work schedule has me travelling alot at the moment. In fact I just got back from a 3 week trip with 2 of those weeks being in Europe. Basically, if I am travelling for work, I can't attend no matter how good things are.

To take that a step further, if I know I will be away from the family for a period of time, the weekend before and after are also normally tied up with family stuff.

So, I point this out because some things people will choose over a hobby.

Drawing more people is hard. You have to do it by word of mouth. Getting rid of the polical strife will help a lot.

What I think would be good (although not really liked) is more classifier matches. Why? They are a standard to judge yourself against. Am I improving?

Another thing that I personally think would be good (although who/what/when/where/why/how are the problems) would be "workshops". It is one thing to participate, but to get good typically coaching helps. It kind of like the "tacitcal" schools but modified to be 1) in the area 2) catered twoards IPDA 3) reasonable priced.

Kind of a knock-off of this is to do a "buddy-system" where less experienced shooters team up with more experienced shooters to get pointers/advice from the more experienced guys.

As far as the matches go, I think breaking up into smaller groups so there is more trigger time and less waiting time helps. The blind stages are fun, but limit them. They take a long time.

I like BUG gun matches too. Maybe let people run the complete match with a BUG instead of a regular pistol? I know it would have to be broken up separating pistols from revolvers but maybe it would work. The nice thing with a complete BUG match is it encourages people use CCW weapons that they may actually carry. And let them use them as they carry them! I dont carry 5 rounds in the mag and then a pocket-full of loose bullets. I carry a loaded full mag with a loaded full mag backup! I would be easy just to have "BUG" along with SSP, etc.

I guess what I like is to 1) get better 2) get input on how to get better 3) have some measure to show I am getting better 4) to use real world equipment and 5) to have fun.

Maybe I have given some ideas...

-Dana

[thenewguy]

Hey matt,
I used to shoot with FRIDPA every 2nd saturday, but I've stayed away because of other commitments. Another reason is the traffic during ski season and the cold mornings there before the sun comes up over the hill. When the weather warms and I can get away, I'll be there.

[bbadmin]

Proud to be hosting the new FRIDPA web page!


Anyway, most of the guys I know have issues on Sundays and will never be able to shoot on Sundays. At least not in the AM. After lunch maybe. That and there is no IDPA stuff going on in Colo. Spgs. We can drive to Pueblo, but by the time we got there on Sundays it would be really late.

We need a range and opportunity to shoot on Saturdays. That wouldn't solve the whole attendance issue, but it would certainly help.



.

[Colorado Osprey]

Years ago I looked into joining, but because of mine any many others I know work schedule weekends are a no go.
I wish sometime that people would remember that 45-55% of the working public do not get weekends off.

The problem with people who work weekends is that you have no way to tell which week days that most have off. Unfortunately, that other 50% of people who can't make weekends is spread between those 5 other days.

Perposed: Maybe one weekday a month and people can schedule their work schedules around to attend? Who knows it might work.

[Mule]

Well, as a newbie, I can add a couple things here.

1st. The fact that nobody knows about you.
I found out about the IDPA and joined it before I ever knew you guys were here. When I mentioned the IDPA at a local store, the clerk said I should check out IPSC instead. He shoots it himself. I don't know how to get info out other than getting some of the sales people informed. Hold an event for them! Give them free range time, but don't do anything above what a normal shoot consists of. Is the local gun shops and sporting good stores open to having flyers in their stores? When I did the CCW class, there was no other info available.

2nd. Have some more pictures on the web page to get people interested. I like to see what I am getting into, I had one heck of a time getting over that not knowing paranoia. The whole page is secretive. Go look at the N. CO club's page.

Push some bonuses to being in IDPA and not some ot the other orgs.
The fact that I can shoot my $429.00 XD-40 with others in the same price range and NOT shooting $2000.00 pimped out guns is comforting.
I walked on with shaking hands from being nervous. Granted, Susan was great at makeing me feel welcome. The rest of the people were very friendly too. It's a good group of people to hang out with for 4 hours. After the first stage, the positive atmosphere took any worries away of bing in the wrong club.

I like the idea of having a week day shoot. After work type thing???? But, it's hard for those of us who work South of Denver to get to CCCSC very quickly. Some low light sims would be great.

On other thing, I think people would like to see some How To type clinics or practice techniques. What about having a stage that incorporates a specific technique. IE foot work - side step - 360 degree response, Close Contact Position. It's a BIG draw for new CCW recruits like my brother and I AND the 20+ people that were in our class.


Ok, so that was more than a couple things. I'm going on vacation tomorrow and I think my brain has left me already. Work? what work?

Greg

[Mule]

PS,
I can't shoot on Sundays either.