I was initially not going to respond to this thread, but as someone who's had an intimate knowledge of organising Kitestock previously, I thought a couple of comments might clarify some of the misconceptions & misunderstandings that have emerged on this thread about KS. These comments are based on my personal understanding & experiences only, and do not represent any official or unofficial response by this year's organisers.
1)
Cost: to the best of my knowledge, Kitestock has never been a profitable exercise and has always been run to break even at best, (and in some instances, run at a loss). Since WAKSA became involved with Kitestock in 2007, it was always about putting on an affordable event for the members. KS has remained a fairly constant $150 for the 3 day event over the past several years (it went up to $180 when it was run over the 4 day, Aus Day holiday weekend a few yrs ago), but back to $150 subsequently when it returned to a three day event. Bearing in mind what that gets you, I don?t know how much less it might be costed at.
2)
Location: KS has always been about more than just kiting, it is also a social event, and there was (historically at least) something about "the journey" to KS, it was about going away somewhere that involved a road trip. Relocating it (away from Dongara) was actually something that was given some considerable thought a few yrs back, but in order to try and keep everyone happy, Dongara/Port Denison won out - for example; Cervantes - no waves & not enough infrastructure to support several hundred crew. Back then, Geraldton was considered "too big" a location to have the event.
Lancelin has previously been given a lot of consideration, but given that crew could (if they wanted to) drive up & back each day, it's close proximity to Perth kind of diminishes the "road trip", the journey aspect of KS.
3)
Timing ? end of season v beginning of season. KS was (at least in its' first few years), more about "the getaway" to kite & hang out with fellow kiters. As the event grew in numbers and success, brands and retailers were invited to support and attend KS. Moving KS to the beginning of the season has the potential to make the event more focussed for brands and retailers which might dilute "the getaway" vibe of the event. The support from brands, schools, retailers, and all the other sponsors and supporters should never be unrecognised - there have been many many retailers and brands who have generously backed the event over time, and hopefully, will continue to do so.
Someone posted something about "too far to go if the wind's no good". An interesting comment in my opinion given without wind we're all kinda fkd for this sport. Some crew book for KS regardless of the wind, because it then becomes a much more social event. Who would have thought that two years in a row, KS was going to be screwed by the wind? 2011, there was simply no wind. 2012, bushfires & offshore wind meant it became SUP-stock. Despite the lack of wind, 2012 became a very social event (despite my elevated personal mental anguish).
I defer to Cauncy's exceptional local knowledge about wind @ Dongara/Port Denison. Short of KS 2011 & 2012, I don't know of a time when it isn?t windy up there during Dec/Jan/Feb?.
4)
Member event only or not? At the time I was involved in organising the event, the public liability insurance didn't allow for a weekend or event specific membership arrangement. Perhaps that could change in the future, but that's for further consideration.
5) From an organisational perspective, each year, KS is run by a core group of about 3 or 4 people. For an event of its size, it needs a much larger number to be "the core" and it?s easy being an armchair critic of the event. If you want a real buzz, get involved with the organisation and after a day or two at KS, sit back & ponder the your individual contribution to making KS actually happen. That buzz is even better over a beer @ the Priory....
6) Fundamentally, KS is about bringing likeminded kiters together to meet, kite, eat, drink, and have as good a time as is possible. Each year, we get to bump into crew who, in many circumstances, haven't seen since KS the year before - and that is always a good vibe.
Given the wide disparity of opinions, demands, expectations, kiting styles and personalities our sport brings together, KS is never going to provide flat enough water for those that like flat; it won't provide big enough waves for the surf kiters amongst us. On occasion, it doesn't even provide enough wind.
But Kitestock brings kiters together, in one place, for a few days to hopefully kite (and have fun) and in my book, that's a win no matter what.
'Nuff said, flame suit on...
. Wrist-bands on the door, rock up and pay more? I'd love to pay early, get a cheap ticket, and giving WAKSA a deposit to organize what they have to do.
