- Dedicated Internet Membership Applications: Because of the amount of meets that WABDL currently holds yearly, it has been decided that dedicated online membership applications will not be available this year. The easiest way for my secretary, webmaster, and I to process memberships is to have all lifters include your card money when submitting your entry to a meet. Whether the meet application be mailed in or online. If you need the status of your membership email WABDLHQ@gmail.com. Both online and paper meet applications offer an option to include your membership fees. Membership cards will be handed out at the weigh-in room, which payments will be confirmed by my secretary.
- Meet Directors – Card monies collected through your meet applications should be mailed (Priority) via check/money order to Gus Rethwisch no later than the Thursday following the meet. As long as they are post marked by that date exceptions will be made due to Postal worker shortages. Meet results need to be emailed to WABDLRecords@gmail.com no later than 48 hours after the meet.
- Big Sky Hotel Reservations – Special rates ended, however, you can still call in or reserve online for at least a week for rates between $129 -$139. The Hilton has reduced their regular rate in an attempt to get more room nights booked, so there is no need to mention the Big Sky Meet. Keep in mind that this hotel is the biggest, most exclusive Hotel in Montana with a Las Vegas feel. The hotel comes with a casino, two restaurants, and a high end lounge
- Midwest Regionals – We have a tentative meet on August 10 at the Marriott Hotel West Minneapolis. We would like your feedback on Facebook and Instagram to see if we should hold this meet this year. This was a steady meet up until 2019 until the pandemic struck in 2020, which WABDL is steadily recovering from. The only other event this year in the immediate vicinity would be the World Cup held in Wisconsin Dells, so please let us know if you would like to have the Midwest Regionals.
- Band Shirts – I’ve received a couple of calls about the use of band shirts over the past few years. My biggest concern is liability. I know of several lifters who are able to lift greater numbers than when lifting in single ply. As a judge I believe it would be difficult to judge the lockout. To be able to use band shirts there will need to be numerous side spotters and thus make it difficult for side judges to do their job. I am open to the idea, however lifters aren’t communicating in the majority for band shirts. If there is a larger buzz about the use of band shirts then this may be reconsidered.
- 2023 World Certificates – All certificates from Worlds 2023 have either be delivered or are in the mail. If you think you have earned certificates and set a world record and do not have them by the end of February, call or text me at (503)901-1622
I will be attending my first meet since February 2020. I will be at the meet on May 5 in Phoenix. The hotel in Phoenix is a 5 star property, the Hilton North Scottsdale at Cavasson. Bruce Willhelm, who won two World’s Strongest Man Contests will also be present. We would like to sit around the firepit, poolside and talk about powerlifting and its roots all the way back to the sixties to include the 19 Records Breaker Events in Hawaii (1977-1995). I’ll also be talking about my experience s on TV, commercials, and in movies. I hope too see some of you there. I have not attended any events in the pasty 4 years because I have been taking care of my wife, whos had some health issues. I’m biting at the bit to get back on the road, but definitely not as much as in the past. I have dedicated much of my life and my many resources to ensure that WABDL continues and that meets are held with high standards. When it comes to coordinating travel arrangements, hotel reservations, judges, bars, plates, benches, t-shirts; I hope you all can agree that I have worked hard and will continue to do so for the federation.