Should Pro freestyle have a 2nd class?

Rob · 10-26-2005, 11:46 AM

Do we need to enact a second class in Pro Freestyle for 2006? The first class would be '800 Pro Freestyle', and the second would be 'Open Pro Freestyle'.

This would enable these guys to run a second boat for Open w/o limits on engine size therefore bringing the power up and the holy-**** factor to a new level.

It would also enable amateurs coming in to Pro a level playing field in the 800 class.

Thoughts?

Glory_Freestyle · 10-26-2005, 01:05 PM

I voted no.

I think a second class would really hurt freestyle. There are not that many Pro Caliber freestylers competing as it is, and creating a second class would create more problems then it would solve. The "Big-Air" class would have 3 maybe 4 guys in it (Malone, Lenzi, Fuji, ???) and the "Technical" class would have everyone else. I don't know about anyone else, but I want to see Stoyer, Parrdaddy, Rok, Stone, etc. compete in the same arena as the other guys. Every one of them brings a unique style to the plate and not having all of them compete against each other would just be wrong.

I think the solution needs to be A LOT simpler, give the competitors more time.

Hereâ€™s two ideas:

The first and most simple solution is to just give the competitors more then 2 minutes to do a routine and penalize anyone who excessively repeats the same trick. This would allow more tricks to be performed and increase the variety a bunch. Just imagine what Malone, Lenzi, Fuji, Stoyer, Parrdaddy, etc. could do with 5 minutes.

Now, if your thinking that sitting there having to watch 10 or so 5 minute routines would be too long and get boring, then hereâ€™s another idea. Have two "Motos" for Pro Freestyle. The first being a more traditional Freestyle routine with the standard 2 minute limit and then a Big-Air type routine with a 2-3 minute limit. Each routine would be scored separately and then the scores would be added together to decide the winner. For example, at the World Finals, the "traditional routine" would be on Saturday and the "big-air" routine would be on Sunday. At a National/Regional event, one routine would be in the morning, the other in the afternoon.

I also think itâ€™s time to add at least another minute to the Amateur Freestyle time limit. Even without the backflips, etc., 2 minutes is not enough time to incorporate a wide variety of technical and big-air tricks.

parrdaddy · 10-26-2005, 01:15 PM

I like Glory's ideas, but remember that some people have a hard time filling up 2 minutes with anything other than barrel rolls of no variation as it is

I also like the idea of penalizing for repetition

For instance, if you can start your routine with a no hander lander, then why do we need to see you do a normal BR, and then a 1 hander, etc

Glory_Freestyle · 10-26-2005, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by parrdaddy

I like Glory's ideas, but remember that some people have a hard time filling up 2 minutes with anything other than barrel rolls of no variation as it is

I also like the idea of penalizing for repetition

For instance, if you can start your routine with a no hander lander, then why do we need to see you do a normal BR, and then a 1 hander, etc

That's why I added the penalty for excessive repetition. Even though the "old days" were almost completely flatwater routines, it was exciting as hell to see Ripper, Watkins, Kantz and Roy go out and rattle off 20 plus tricks. Even in Amateurs, if you couldn't do 18-20 different tricks, you didn't score good at all.

Waxhead · 10-27-2005, 03:29 AM

I thought we had pro and amatuer

Highroller · 12-25-2005, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glory_Freestyle

Now, if your thinking that sitting there having to watch 10 or so 5 minute routines would be too long and get boring, then hereâ€™s another idea. Have two "Motos" for Pro Freestyle. The first being a more traditional Freestyle routine with the standard 2 minute limit and then a Big-Air type routine with a 2-3 minute limit. Each routine would be scored separately and then the scores would be added together to decide the winner. For example, at the World Finals, the "traditional routine" would be on Saturday and the "big-air" routine would be on Sunday. At a National/Regional event, one routine would be in the morning, the other in the afternoon.

It's a good idea but how do you make them stay traditional? I think they will just do backflips in the traditional class so that they get everyone to go WOW and then they win. I don't think that will work. I say keep it the same. We hardly had any pros show up this year anyways. I say two passes with the wake boats! I dunno it's really hard to say.... There isn't enough pro's to break it up like that IMO but on the other hand it is very hard to compete at Malone and Lenzi's level without a huge motor and big $$$$. So maybe they should break it up. Hell... I don't know Ha ha Dan

jetPilot1o1 · 12-26-2005, 01:29 AM

Ah no-Its FREESTYLE!!!!!! What about the guy on the couch? Anything goes I say-lets not make things more complicated!!!!!!!!!

unclehulka13 · 12-26-2005, 10:38 AM

that was just rediculous, but then again, so were many other things.
I think they need to ditch all FS rules. If you can build it, wether you're am or pro, do it. its stupid that you cant have an a/m hull in amateur freestyle.

FreestyleRiverRat · 12-26-2005, 09:55 PM

I vote no b/c there need to be more people involved first. Perhaps when the sport gains a little more momentum there should be a divide to keep the everyday Joe competative, lets face it we can't all afford to buy lightweight hulls and 150+ hp motors. I think there should eventually be a line drawn somewhere to make the sport more appealing and competative. Perhaps even make a Novice, Amateur and Pro Freestyle class. That way a guy with foot wells on a stock boat getting in the sport cane compete in the novice class for the first time.......does some mods and increses his skills and then competes in the amature class......honestly if I think if you are running a pro level boat you should be in the pro class.

sflsurfrider · 12-26-2005, 09:58 PM

if a "pro" cant backflip and keep up with the other pros, he should go back to am freestyle. THATS their second class.