Hondero I agree but the problem is that exact measuring of every shot make distance competition so difficult to organize that as a result, they are not organized at all. Simplicity should be the key. I think that fighting for a record/number and range competitions intended to separate the best range slingers don't have to be the same. When you are observing 2 or 3 slingers slinging into a lake, you can easy say who of them has the best ability to throw far in this moment, with no measurements. However any official competitions require some permanent rules and numbers to classify of competitors. I think the range zones could be a good compromise.
Here is an loose introductory vision just for discussion.
1. Range zones.
The 50 m is the minimum for the distance, It could be a bit wider.
2. Number of shots.
Just a one session. Each of competitors slings until he gets 5 valid throws, but not more than in 10 tries. The valid throw is when the stone lands into between the blue lines. This is a bit complicated but it reduces considerably the matter of accuracy mentioned by Hondero.
3. Scoring
The each shot is scored depending on what zone was hit by the stone
Not valid one - not taken into account
> 75 m - 75 points
> 100 m - 100 points
> 125 m - 125 points
...
From the all valid shots just three the best ones are taken into account. That is in order to reduce a influence of gusts of wind, "buzzing shots" and others. Then the arithmetic mean is calculated.
For example, if someone got results: 150, 175, 125, 150, 175, his final result will be:
(150 + 175 + 175)/3 = 167 points
When the best result have a few competitors, the winner is the one who have the longest shot. For example:
Competitor 1 (175 + 175 + 175)/3 = 175 points
Competitor 2 (150 + 175 + 200)/3 = 175 points <- the winner
When their results of each shot are the same, some additional throws will be necessary to determine the final result. They could be measured exactly. The same with regard to the 2th and 3th location.
4. Stones
Just natural ones, minimum 60 grams. No the upper limit.
5 Possible places
- Dry dusty field. No problem to see the impacts (explosions of dust), even from the slinger's position - I know it from my experience. It is easy and cheap to mark the slinging range and zones. All what is needed are a few hundred metres of cheap bright "police like" tape and two dozen of cheap or free sticks and measuring tape. Maybe a compass would be helpful to set the right angles. However raining would be a big problem.
- Sandy beach. A beautiful place for such competitions. The same easy way of marking the range like above. However it is necessary to try how well the impacts are visible for side judges.
- Concrete runway (?)
- Water. I think it is the nicest place. But in my opinion marking the range would be much more complicated and expensive. You will need boats, lots of buoys, ropes with floats (like in a seeming pool), a good laser range finder, weights, ropes. There will be problem to keep that all stuff in exact positions. Besides the splashes will be only visible when the surface of the water is calm.
6. Side judges. Two or three convicts or suicides
The simplest and good enough protection for them is the distance of 80 - 100 m from the side line. If there is not enough room they must stand behind covers or on a cliff. The covers might be natural or man-made, maybe nets would be enough.
7. Communication. Walkie-talkie, flags, loudspeaker... maybe "naked voice"?
Please give your opinions and propositions.