We are talking about taking your own Cue to Australia for the 27th INTERNATIONAL SHUFFLEBOARD TOURNAMENT!!
Australia advises that they will have Cues available for players needing same. Available in this context means that 4 Cues will be available at each Court. It is expected that when you leave the Court upon finishing your match, you will leave your Cue for the next players coming to the Court. Seems like a very practical method of supplying Cues.
We should also tell you that Australia has advised that their Cues have a Continental Head. In order to be perfectly clear as to what a Continental looks like, we have posted a pic of a Continental Head in the margin.
Many of us “keeners” who are wed to our personal Cue will no doubt wish to take their Cue with them to Australia. While everyone has “the best method” to transport a Cue on an Aircraft, THE SHUFFLER will offer their solution on this page in the coming days.
First we should let you know that you will not be able to take them into the passenger section of the plane for obvious reasons. And we should also let you know that indeed Cues can get broken or lost even when packed.
THE SHUFFLER recommends that you purchase a length of PCV (black or white) pipe equal to the length of your Cue. It is preferable that you have a Cue that reduces in length from the standard 75 inches to something in the order of 38 inches. PCV pipe with a diameter of one and one half inches works well. (For the very few who may not know, PCV pipe cuts nicely with a normal hand saw.)
NOW; WATCH THIS: Place the PCV pipe INSIDE of your Cue Carrying Case; place your Cue into the Carrying Case; to protect the head, we recommend you cover it with sponge. You realize that the sponge will be inside of the Cue Carrying Case and therefore will remain fixed in place. On check in at the airport have your Cue plastic wrapped. If travelling with another, suggest the two be wrapped together. When we travelled to Brazil, there was no charge for this “wrapping service”. It is possible that there will now be a charge. The plastic wrapping is exactly what is normally done to protect skis travelling on aircraft.
JIM ALLEN: Re the Inaugural to Holland/Germany: Jim advises that Cues will be provided and since there is limited shuffling, it is recommended that YOU NOT bring your Cue on the INAUGURAL.
THIS MESSAGE FROM MALCOLM CROWDER; PAST PRESIDENT ASA:
We have a terrific committee and Ian Reiher and his sister Marj have been a terific help in getting us to where we are today. We are looking forward to keen competition among the Nations. The Japanese women, always a threat, will have a full team, and we are working on completing the Men's Team for Germany. The Australian Team too has made great progress and we should experience an interesting 27th ISA Tournament with real competition for the North American Teams!!
It's a long way to come for a week of shuffleboard, and expensive too, if you just come for a week and go home. We encourage all participants to come for a few weeks or a month and see a bit of Australia whilst here. The best way is to fly to Sydney and fly domestic to the Gold Coast Airport, previously Coolangatta. As an alternative, fly to Sydney for 2 nights then fly to Gold Coast, a 1 hour flight. On the way home maybe go to Melbourne for a stop-over for 2-3 nights then home. Or just come and allow for a return flight 1 month later and I can put them in touch with our travel consultant regarding other options when they are here. Our dollar exchange rate is roughly the same as the Canadian dollar and there are expensive and reasonable rates for accommodation. Anyone wishing to stay in the same place for a while, take an apartment away from the centre of the city where it is less expensive, hire a car and have a look around. Anything we can do to help, "just ask" we want your people to have a good time and experience a bit more of Australia.
We need to know if any of your players and their partners have any disabilities or any other special requirements. We have arranged accommodation in a number of luxury apartments and all have lifts (elevators). We should know if there are any problem with heights because some buildings are up to 22 floors high. The Coolangatta beach is probable the best in Australia,(probably the world) it's patrolled by Life Savers and is opposite the apartments. Malcolm Crowder, Past President ASA. malouise@optusnet.com.au
STAN'S NOTE: Re Malcolm's para. 2; I recognize that many players have already made their plans >> and that is good!! I do know that some have decided on the length of their "extension", but not their detailed plans. Why not contact Malcolm (see his e-mail) with regard to follow-up on his suggestion??
ALSO: Re Malcolm's para. 3; If para 3 is applicable to you, please ensure to advise Malcolm.
Please read in conjunction with Malcolm Crowder’s announcement immediately below. I thought I would examine the material Australia provided us in Midland at the 26th ISA with regard to services and facilities available. I will now reprint one such Information Sheet: Stan.
“No doubt many will want to include some additional sightseeing on their visit to Australia. The main areas (of interest) would be:
*Sydney (A great tourist city – Harbour bridge, Opera House and the birthplace of Australia.)
*Cairns (Tropical North – Barrier Reef)
*Alice Springs (the Outback – Ularu)
*Melbourne (Capital of Victoria) and Adelaide (Capital of South Australia).
*Perth (the far West)
*Darwin (the Tropical Capital of the Northern Territory)
*Tasmania (the Southern State – a little piece of England.)
Harvey World Travel has an office at “Showcase on the Beach” where the Coolangatta Shuffleboard Courts are located and would be pleased to help with any travel information and bookings.”
Affixed to this Information Sheet is the business card of a representative of the travel agency, Harvey World Travel. Her name is: Michele Bernoth e-mail: Michele.coolangatta@harveyworld.com.au
DIETER HUSSMANN, GSA President, sends along this great news which demonstrates conclusively the importance of promotion!!
Dear Stan; if one does not believe in the necessity of promotion in general and the Inaugurals specifically, here is living proof that it pays dividends!!
Your regular readers will remember the extensive youth participation at the German Inaugural in Langensebold, Germany. The first pic in the margin is of young Adrian shooting a disc during Friday afternoon’s demonstration. Not known to any of us at that time, but we can share with you that you were looking at the newest member of the Team Germany for the World Championships in Australia 2008. Adrian Gepel has applied, and been accepted, to participate as a part of the German Men's team in Australia’s Gold Coast in September of 2008. We have published the following article in the local newspaper regarding this good news:
“Adrian Gepel from Langenselbold (see 2nd pic in margin) joins Team Germany for their appearance in Australia. The nomination came as a surprise for the Youngster, who turns 15 next month.
All the more he is excited about his nomination.
Besides the sportive aspect, the teenager can't wait to experience sun, beach and the ocean at Gold Coast, Queensland. But there won't be too much time to relax as there are many matches waiting during that one week of Shuffleboard.
The tight schedule is only interrupted by a day off for a canal cruise, a visit in a wildlife sanctuary and an evening in the Australian outback.
As the World Championships take place outside of the German school holidays, Adrian will hurry back to his school in Langenselbold right after the tournament. But then with lots of stories to tell”
Ian Reiher, ASA Secretary has sent along the following information with regard to electricity in Australia.
Hi Stan, (Ian speaks): We operate on 240 (volts) AC and the power points (power outlets) take a three prong plug with the earth prong of the plug being the same width as the other two prongs but slightly longer. A lot of equipment nowadays works on either 110 or 220 -240 but you need to check the details on the equipment. I take a US type battery charger with me to charge the batteries for my camera and video. A multipurpose adaptor is a good idea but you must check that the equipment can take the 240 volts. Stan speaks: Most of the newer multipurpose adaptors are designed to reduce the voltage from 220 (240) to 110. However; you should check your particular unit if you have one. If you are purchasing one >> same advice applies.
Stan speaks: I asked Ian if our accommodation had built-in hair dryers. Be careful as you read his response. He has been specific regarding the Ocean Plaza where the McCormacks and the Earles of Nova Scotia are staying, and no doubt some others. Note: He has not specified re the presence of a hair dryer in the bathroom associated with the second bedroom. I will endeavour to have him answer that question. To be safe, bring your own hair dryer please.
Ian Speaks: We are using three accommodation buildings, Beach House, Aries and Ocean Plaza. You are booked into Ocean Plaza and it has a hair dryer in the main bathroom. The units are fully self contained with washing machine, dryer, fully equipped kitchen, lounge/dining room an ensuite bathroom and a main bathroom and of course a queen size bed in the main bedroom and two single beds in the second bedroom. The Ocean Plaza resort has a swimming pool and spa, two tennis courts and a gym so if you have any spare time you can relax. I would imagine the other two buildings provide hair dryers as it is now usual but I will check and let you know.
You will find our electric switches and plumbing different. To turn on the lights etc we press the switch down and up to turn off. A lot of our taps now are the mixing type and to turn the water on you press down on the handle and up to turn off. Even the water going out of the bath turns in the opposite direction to the Northern Hemisphere. We move North to the warmer climates and South to the cooler climates the opposite to you.
Among the first items on the order of business at the Napanee Summer Slam Team Tournament Event Extraordinaire was the introduction of honoured guest Verna Carter who was on the Canadian Women’s Team at the International Event in Muskegon MI of 1981!! Folks that is 27 years ago if you are doing the math!! The Shuffler had identified Verna as being a Canadian representative and the Napanee Club had contacted her with regard to appearing at the opening of the Summer Slam. It was impossible to determine who was more pleased with her appearance; the 64 Shufflers present or Myrna and her escort for the occasion!! Shown in the margin is a pic of CNSA President Stan McCormack presenting Verna an actual framed photograph of the 1981 Team. The Shuffler also presented Verna with the actual news clipping from the hometown Napanee newspaper of 1981. Verna then took to the Courts while expressing the desire to again be back shuffling. Her aim was great; and her delivery just fine!! However; she decided against participating, instead wishing all of us the very best for a great tournament!! We must tell you that in 1981 at Muskegon, Verna won 7 of her 11 Matches!!
Congratulations and thanks to Verna and all of the Shufflers who participated in this historic 1981 very first International Shuffleboard Association Event.
