Thoughts on BRIC 2024

[jamiep123]

If you were competing or spectating at BRIC 2024 what were your thoughts on anything to do with the event? The last time I attended was in 2013 in Cardiff and this was very different. The amount of activity was fabulous and the way it was all laid out was very good. It felt very well organised and the trade stands were also very good. On the downside the spectators at the rowing paid £21 for a ticket but had their view of the front row of machines blocked by people at the front who were standing. That should have been a no standing area. Also the volunteers at the competitors entrance didn't know where the bag drop area for the rowers was. If you hadn't studied the venue map properly you got directed down the concourse to the venue cloakroom.

All in all it was a good, well organised event.

[MPx]

Good idea to have a thread on this - though will need to be fed back to BR somehow as they otherwise wont see it. I (stupidly!) put some of my thoughts in the PB thread and have copied them here for ease of reference. Interesting that you said spectator tickets were £21. I paid £30 + £2:10 "service fee" when I bought last summer - I obviously did that poorly too! Also totally agree with the issue of the standing crowd blocking the view of the front row of ergs. Easy solution - build the stand next to the competition floor and put the corridor behind it.

[copy post] As usual I much enjoyed watching the action and it was great that the event was so well supported this year - growing back a bit now, though still well down (<2000) compared to the best BIRC days of 4000 athletes. Its also great for me that its part of FitFest as I can go and watch some weight lifting or cross fit as well. Having said that there are some significant issues that I think they need to address. Key one being the lack of facilities for the athletes - there are none, just the exhibition space toilets - no showers, no changing rooms - I'm surprised they get away with that. There was also no "cool down" area which seems a serious omission. And there isn't enough provision of seating for the Spectators and athletes. I'm not moaning about the price, but for my £32+ I expect to be able to get a seat and there were times when that was very difficult - not least because many were taken by athletes bags rather than people watching. There were 60 race ergs and for many races the majority occupied. Maybe its growing back big enough to warrant a bigger hall !?!

[jamiep123]

I forgot to say I have emailed the organisers asking if an email will be sent out to everyone who attended asking for feedback. I agree about the lack of showers, that wasn't good. I wanted to watch some of the other events after my race but didn't want to do that wearing my sweaty kit so had to walk back to the hotel. When I saw it was at the NEC I suspected there wouldn't be showers as the events they usually have there wouldn't require them. In that respect it's not a great choice of venue but to have the whole FitFest over a weekend something of the size of the NEC is required.

[Elizabeth]

Survey link: https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/8114634/ ... ships-2024

Most of the competitions that I have been to haven't had showers, changing rooms, or cooldown ergs, although I wouldn't say no to any of those!

Overall, it was very well organized, and I really appreciate them taking all of the effort that goes into offering an event like this. I'd recommend BRIC 2025 with zero hesitation.

[putridp]

I thought it was very well organised, and being a part of fitfest was good.

It was annoying that so many people were standing at the front which blocked the view of the first row of ergs and there could have been more seats in the stand. The commentary was good.

I wasn't personally affected by the lack of facilities. Although I had to change between weigh-in and competing just in case I was very near the weight limit, the toilets were fine for this. The lack of warm-down machines wasn't an issue for me competing in just one event and I definitely didn't feel the need for a shower.

It would have been great if the event was live-streamed and I could have done with a clock in the warm-up area. There should have been a few vomit buckets about the place.

It would have been nice if the podium was viewable from the spectator stand.

In all it was very good.

[konarzewski]

Overall it was a great achievement for BRIC to enable 1800 competitors to race over a weekend, and I'm very grateful to have had the chance to compete again. Most things were done well. But I think it would have been good to have had better toilet and changing facilities.
A couple of specific points:
1. It was difficult on the day to buy a spectator ticket as I was unable to buy one online. In the end I got one for my wife after queuing for about 30 minutes. The girl selling the wrist bands didn't know what to charge so she gave me one for free. So poor organisation there. But my wife did get a reasonable seat and was able to film me.
2. The spectator area was much too small.
3. Not enough warm up machines - we were unable to use them until 30 minutes before our races.
4. No warm down area.
5. The bag drop area was anything but secure. If you didn't have a companion to look after your stuff, it would have been problematic.
6. My race was a few minutes late starting. Not a great issue for me personally. But one elderly female competitor took over 20 minutes to complete 2000 metres, delaying the start of the next race further. The woman in question clearly had no idea how to row and I'm not quite sure why she was allowed to compete. Not only was this putting her health at considerable risk, as she was encouraged to keep going by the stewards when she obviously had had enough, but it was not appropriate to have this kind of competitor in a serious event. There should be a cut off point at which rowers are ordered to stop - say at 12 minutes.
Having said all that, I'll definitely be back next year.

[Two Pudding Kid]

My thoughts:

i) warmup - I have never liked the constrained time limit on this but it has always been a feature of BRIC and many other races.
ii) cooldown - it would be nice but perhaps make do with a walk around rather than ergo. Again with limits on facilities probably not going to happen
iii) showers - cannot ever see this being offered at the NEC. If the event was run at a sports area, University, or back at the National Indoor Arena that would be easy.
iv) venue - the NEC has a lot going for it in terms of transport, sharing with FitFest etc. It well might not be viable as a standalone.
v) spectators - yep I have to admit to being one of those that probably blocked the view of spectators seated in the stands for short periods of time. From a competitor viewpoint it is rather close to the action for those allocated front row as well. Glad to see there is some constructive ideas on how this can be improved.
vi) bag drop - great on day 2 with luggage tags and numbers handed out, cannot speak about day 1
vii) a tricky one a about saying about a cutoff time for competitors. On one hand we are trying to get entries up and on the other we are saying you have to be of a certain standard. While I can see a justification for events that roads needs to be reopened like running, I see less need here. I expect the individual wanted their moment in the spotlight and has got that. For me once we start saying this is a "serious" event, or setting qualifications to be in it the whole ethos changes. Perhaps there has to be an event scheduled for everyone who is likely to take more than 15 minutes to "have a go" and get their moment of glory. What I wouldnt like is the idea that those of a certain age can only race 1k and not 2k - this happens at quite a few events and could well deter me for entering at all, (I could never win a medal at open ladies lightweight for 2k but I might do it to prove a point).
vii) biggest bugbears for me - the music and lighting are incredibly annoying. Ok we need something but not at the same decibel level and light going round like a disco while trying to set up the race ergo should be stopped. Rather warm on day 1, far better on day 2.

I am sure intending to enter again.

[konarzewski]

For me once we start saying this is a "serious" event, or setting qualifications to be in it the whole ethos changes.

Mod edit: added [quote] tags.

I think it depends on what we mean by serious. You don't have to be world class, or even good to be serious. Just enthusiastic. Some people have travelled hundreds of miles and spent hundreds of pounds to attend - perhaps in search of a personal best or the pleasure of competing. It is frustrating to have warmed up and then cooled down because a race is significantly delayed. Whilst we all know that racing timetables are not set in stone and delays can happen through unforeseen events, I personally don't think race starts should be delayed because everyone is allowed to finish regardless of the time. Competitors should be warned in advance that they will be asked to stop rowing a certain number of minutes after the start of the race (and they could be given a medal so they don't miss out on their moment of glory if that's why they've come). It's also not great entertainment for paying spectators to watch a 20+ minute 2K. Yes, everyone should be allowed to compete at 2K regardless of age. And there are some awesome 90 year olds around. But the race schedule should allow for slower races for the elderly. And most senior competitors, I'm sure, would respect that fact that they have a finite time to complete the distance: indeed they would probably be hideously embarrassed to think they were holding up proceedings.