Meeting Report –ASUA PanAmerican Open Water Technical Committee

June 21, 2004 – Hotel DeCameron Farallon Panama

Chairman Tomas Haces from Cuba convened the meeting at 10:40am with a welcome and introductions. The following members were present: Tomas Haces, CUB, Chairman; S.A. “Sid” Cassidy, USA, Secretary; Mario Rodriguez, PUR; Milton Toral, ECU; Dardo Brando, ARG; Denny Ryther, USA. Absent were Marco Veilleux (CAN) & Liasion LUIS BAJAÑA (ECU).

The Chair noted that he expected this committee to be a working committee. He plans to unite us to be goal oriented and all contribute. He would very much like Canada to fill the chair available or he will designate the spot to a country who seeks to participate.

He also took time to recognize several of those who have made significant contributions to get us to this point of hosting the First Pan American Open Water Championships. Most notably, Mr. Haces voiced our collective respect for the contributions that were put forward with vigor on our behalf from the late Jerry Olson. These Championships are due in large part because of his commitment to open water and thus duly noted here.

The discussion turned to the implementation of general tasks and assignments for each member. The Chair noted that he had received correspondence from the Secretary and Mario Rodriguez in support of his plan and all members were presented with a copy. It was printed both in Spanish and English. Discussion ensued regarding the proposed calendar of hosting a Pan Am Open Water Championship every two years. The need to have a bid and best possible dates for 2006 was emphasized. It was noted that Cayman Islands is hosting the World Championships in 2006 and we should consider the timing to best support both races. We agreed to further discuss the format and philosophy of these Pan American Open Water Championships upon completion of the Panamanian inaugural event.

A discussion was brought forth from the Chair regarding the need to certify judges for continental competitions. The vision is that we create a list similar to the FINA Officials lists that would serve as an intermediate step between federations approval and FINA approval.

We agreed to the following assigned areas of duty to best promote the work plan that the Chairman presented to all members:

Public Relations & Promotion – Denny Ryther (Sid Cassidy assist)

Calendars & Federation – Dardo Brando

Judges Education – Milton Toral (Tomas Haces assist)

Coaches Education – Mario Rodriguez (Tomas Haces assist)

Athletes – Marco Veilleux

In order to be best prepared in Orlando, the following assignments are clarified. Reports must be submitted in writing, but need not be lengthy. They should be forwarded to the Secretary no later than September 10, 2004 in order to be copied and presented to members before we commence the Orlando meetings.

Public Relations & Promotion: Denny Ryther is to present a short report on several of the more popular open water races in the world and suggest what we can learn from any of them to best promote ASUA Open Water. He will also forward newsworthy information on a regular basis to the new ASUA Web site.

Calendars & Federations: Dardo Brando will compile a projected ASUA Open Water Calendar depicting competition of any level through the 2007 Pan American Games. He should coordinate with FINA TOWSC calendar director Dennis Miller and all ASUA OWTC members for information. He should compose a possible scenario of future Pan Am Open Water Championship dates that will complement the FINA Calendar and have minimal impact on the majority of national federation’s calendars.

Judges Education – Milton Toral is to present a plan to host at least one judges and officials seminar in an ASUA country each year for through 2007. He should contact active federations to determine which countries can best host and promote such a successful seminar. Ideas on how best to staff such clinics should also be presented.

Coaches Education – Mario Rodriguez will announce plans to educate coaches in the region as to the benefits, training methods and general rules involved with open water swimming. He will suggest ideas for discussion that target areas and possible dates for clinics as well as alternative methods for disseminating information to the coaching community.

Athletes – Marco Veilleux should plan a report with ideas on how best to foster communication to and from the athletes who participate in open water. In addition he should present ideas on how best to encourage participation from new athletes.

I encourage all members to contact me with any questions, clarifications or explanations in regard to your assignments. If we are to adhere to our chairman’s decree that we are an active working committee, it is imperative that we come to Orlando with these tasks completed. Remember that documents that require duplication should be presented no later than September 10, 2004,

Our meeting was adjourned at 12:15pm

Respectfully submitted,

S.A. “Sid” Cassidy ASUA OWTC Secretary
sacassidy@comcast.net FAX 609-347-5211