from http://paddle.org.au/2018/10/18/pa-and-oceanpaddler-agree-plans-for-use-of-aors/
Paddle Australia (PA) and Oceanpaddler, the organisers of the Australian Ocean Racing Series (AORS), are pleased to announce an arrangement under which the 2018/19 Series will be the basis of selection for the Australian Team attending the ICF World Ocean Racing Championships in France in September 2019 and any other international events for which PA is responsible for selecting an Australian Ocean Racing Team.
The AORS will also be recognised by PA as the 2018/19 Australian Ocean Racing Championships, with the winner in the different categories recognised as the Australian Champions. Both PA and Oceanpaddler see the arrangement as beneficial to the sport of ocean racing and in the interests of all the paddlers involved.
“We consider that we have developed a successful formula for the AORS, the support for which is growing,” explained Dean Gardiner, the force behind the AORS. “We are pleased that the Series is being recognised in this way and it is good to have the pilot in place. I hope this is beginning of a long-term relationship between the AORS and Paddle Australia. Certainly, the feedback from the paddlers and our event organisers has been positive.”
Oceanpaddler will continue to have full responsibility for the organisation of all aspects the AORS. Oceanpaddler will provide the results and year of birth information for PA to maintain a selection points-score in the age categories specified by the ICF. The selection criteria is being finalised now and will be based on the scoring system in place for the AORS. PA will promote the AORS and the points-score through their website and relevant social media.
For this year only, entrants in the AORS will not be required to be members of PA to be considered for selection however, anyone selected to represent Australia will be required to be a full member of PA. The benefits of membership of PA, including personal accident and liability cover, will continue to only extend to those that are current financial members of PA.
As part of the Strategic Plan for Paddling in Australia, PA is looking at new membership offerings that it is hoped will be better suited to those involved in ocean paddling.
“We have worked with Dean to shape an arrangement that will allow us to test the water this season.” said Phil Jones, CEO of PA. “This announcement is a little later than we would ideally have liked. This arrangement is a pilot for 2018/19 and PA will be seeking feedback during the season from paddlers and interested parties on the long-term strategy. I would like to thank Dean for his commitment and hope that all athletes will embrace the opportunity created.”
For all the details on the AORS click here
