Virtualmeet.net

This thread is to sign-up for the 7-12 June 2011 Weightlifting meet only. Questions and comments concerning this meet should be posted in the discussion thread (http://virtualmeet.net/community/forum/meet-talk/401/0/).

Registration details

Registration is open until Sunday 12 June at noon lifter's local time (the last meet day). While it is possible to register very late, lifters are encouraged to register as early as convenient in order to get the video upload details well before the meet ends.

To register for the meet, just post a short reply to this message. This implies that you:

• HAVE READ AND ACCEPTED THE RULES (http://virtualmeet.net/meets/rules/) (the LATEST version of the rules!)
• AFFIRM YOUR DRUG-FREE STATUS (again, see the rules)
• REALLY AIM AT DOING THE MEET, not just thinking about it. Of course, injuries and life can happen, so you are naturally free to cancel your entry if needed.

** Lift on any of these days: Tuesday 7th, Wednesday 8th, Thursday 9th, Friday 10th, Saturday 11th, Sunday 12th.

Those who wish to judge should also sign-up in this thread.

To make sure that you don't forget anything essential, we highly recommend using the checklist (http://virtualmeet.net/docs/meet_checklist.pdf) as a supplement to the rules (http://virtualmeet.net/meets/rules/).

Wishing all lifters a strong meet!

Oh boy. Here we go!

I read the rules, I affirm my drug free status (no promises I'll be drink-free though), I'm wearing a bright red singlet that's too tight for me, and I'm going to try really hard not to get sick or injured again. I mean it.

I read the rules, I affirm my drug free status, I'll be wearing a bright red singlet that's about right for me and I'm going to try really hard to lift outside if the weather permits.  I mean it.

I read the rules ( really this time), I am drug free, I'll be wearing a  singlet this time.  I will be lifting at out new gym ( www.crossfittwenty.com ).  I will try and get a few others to register as well.

I created a facebook event page and invited 30 of my weightlifting friends. 

When is the last day to sign up?

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=124919004256354

Whoa Jamie, now that's what I call taking action. :)

Under the newish meet sign-up procedure, sign-up is open all the way until noon your local time on the last day of the meet (Sunday 12th).

Ok, Kat graciously volunteered to judge (thanks!). Two more judges needed, any takers? Will start mailing around tomorrow again...

Still looking for judges ?

Marc, indeed we are. I take it this means I can send you the judging details? :)

We possibly have the last judging slot filled too, though I haven't heard anything definitive back on that one yet.

Yup! Sign me as a judge.

How long til meet release Kris?

Well, we need one more judge to get this moving. This meet is also blocking the powerlifting meet as the current judging interface does not permit having multiple meets in judging at the same time.

Frankly, I have not been going around to a lot of doorsteps this time around as I am always banging on the same doors asking for the same old weightlifting judging favor (I did send out e-mails to two judge candidates though but no replies). We owe big thanks to Marc and Kat for pro-actively volunteering to judge, but I think we still have a bit of a collective challenge in how to solve the lack of fresh blood in weightlifting judging (and lifting for that matter). So, if anyone knows someone who might be persuaded to give judging a go (virtualmeet member or not), please let me know.

Thanks Warren for the push, let's see if it helps get things moving a bit again. :)

You could try Patrick - Virtualmeet username "ilift"?

I think I've found someone - Andrew Stewart said he would do it, he should be dropping by.

A couple of thoughts on the challenges that might affect turnout:

1) Weightlifting is a small niche.
2) Access to suitable equipment for willing participants.
3) Conflict with real meets.
4) Not enough public awareness of VM.
5) Lack of access to video equipment.
6) No weight categories in VM might put off beginners?
7) Not many people currently = not cool = no domino effect

There aren't many factors we can control, but there are plenty of lifters out there (see youtube). I think awareness is the one we can. Might want to get in touch with a couple of WL coaches and see if they'd be willing to participate.

Jeff: many thanks, Andrew (http://virtualmeet.net/kaptainkayak) is now onboard (thanks Andrew!).

And speaking of new members, the weightlifting crew just got another member (welcome Justin (http://virtualmeet.net/justinjones/)!).

Warren: many thanks for the insightful comments, appreciated. Most of the items on your list are on my radar, but the thing that popped up a new mental cork was your comment about the lack of weight classes possibly scaring off beginners. Were you thinking about some specific reason for why this may be the case?

At the end of the day, I am not too pessimistic about the future of our weightlifting meets. This site would not still be standing now four years later if it weren't for the fact that those who do find their way here tend to stick around and have almost uniformly positive feedback about the experience (that is, I strongly feel that this site does make a difference). Like you point out, we lack critical mass and visibility. There is some light at the end of the tunnel regarding the long awaited appearance of version 2 (it's been a very productive summer holiday), when that eventually hits the shelves I am going to start drumming some drums. Of course, any other drumming is always welcome at any point. :)

Thanks to a speedy execution by Andrew, the meet is now finally... RELEASED (http://virtualmeet.net/meets/201106wl/)! Good one (check the rankings).

Jeff's submissions also made their mark as having the most sympathetic soundtrack to date and the outdoors provided another great backdrop (but then, I am biased to anything involving barbells and trees).

Thanks guys for taking the platform and to Kat, Marc and Andrew for volunteering to judge. <insert deep bow in five directions here>