Gratifyingly demand for event entries appears to be on the rise - for whatever reason - and hopefully this is across all classes -but that's a separate discussion
The legislative demand on organisers is ever increasing for example there is notice for the need for clubs to have at least 2 or its number attend an Event Safety Management workshop and also a heads up re food safety, I suspect attendance on some sort of food safety course is probably in the offing in the not too distant future. All sensible measures to keep competitors and the public safe - at least clubs can point to their bits of paper and refute liability.
There is a constant call for help with safety, judging, course erection, destruction, car parking - the list is endless and I take my hat off to those who do this for the sport. As is usually the case in all voluntary persuits the larger load is often carried out by the few.
In an arena where entry fees will have to steadily increase to meet venue charges, I dont think there will be a stampede to help out, because the perception may increasingly be why volunteer at an event where you've had to pay "a lot" to enter?
I am speaking mainly about higher division races - where now you even are required to pay to go and watch at a certain venue
.Other sports have dealt with this by professionalising the whole event. ie a specialist company is brought in to provide safety, first aid, crowd management, catering, course management, entry admin etc The entry fees are pitched at a level to cover the costs.
Maybe in the not too distant future this will be the way forward for slalom races at the top end of our sport as it becomes. increasingly difficult for volunteers ( many of whom also have their own jobs, familiies etc) to keep on top of the ever changing legislative and management requirements of top end races in an arena where the demand is for an increasingly professional approach.
