PKR Club is not privately owned.
The club is incorporated as a non for profit sports club.
The club have followed all the directions provided by DSR to get this far. http://www.clubsonline.dsr.wa.gov.au/
When the matter of insurance was reviewed, all options were considered.
VI Group (the broker used by KA) was also contacted to provide a quote but did not.
In the end we opted for a flexible and competitive rate with a high quality local AUS provider, who are also used by other Australian wind sport associations.

It would be worth while comparing to other memberships ( Windsurfing, Sup, Surfing)

windsurfingwa.tidyclub.com/public/memberships/new

supwa.tidyclub.com/public/memberships/new

www.surfingwaonline.com.au/apply-membership.php

I have always joined waksa, not so that I can enter events ( not interested in competing ) but so I can support my sport . Waksa fight on my behalf to keep the councils and various nut jobs from shutting down our access to our local beaches!
I love my kitesurfing and I can't thank these guys enough for being the voice to keep us all on the water
You won't see me standing in line waiting to go on the water to show judges how good I am, but I'll always have a waksa tag hanging off my harness!!
Knowing that I have some sort of insurance is just a bonus.

I guess the situation can be compared to sailing in a way. In that the clubs organise races etc and yachting federation looks after administration etc.
The system works with both entities in unison.

Association Strategy (from websites):

Insurance
promote safe kite surfing practices
grow kitesurfing
run events for WAKSA members
+ maintain beach access for Western Australian kite surfers

Club Strategy (from website)

Insurance
promote safe kite surfing practices
grow kitesurfing
run events for PKR members


It does appear that the club has gone to a lot of effort to 90% duplicate of the association does?

Just seems like you're trying to re-invent the wheel....or undermine the existing club.

Q..... ?
Do WAKSA members have to join the PKR to enter PKR races?

No Doubt PKR has cost somebody/people a lot of time and effort and most likely cash if the cost to join is about what the insurance costs, that takes some commitment not found in many people, and there is no doubt the world would be a better place with more people wiling to put in the extra mile.
And there will be many hundreds of hours year after year


I do wonder if PKR if mostly for the racers and to promote events, would that same level of commitment and time had been better put to use from within WAKSA were there are surely already resources in place for dealing with all the things the club wishes to accomplish.


While there are a few who complain about insurance costs I am sure their collective WAKSA membership would not add up to what it would cost to setup and run a club just for cheaper insurance.
Our sport along with just about every other sport has many participants that are just care free and do what they want when they want, these people will most likely never join any organisation just for insurance so the argument about WAKSA being to expensive for just insurance would surely be null an void as these people never bother to look what options they have, it just aint in their thought process.

All events need volunteers, sailing, football, surfing, pushbike etc that aren't participating to make them happen.
All events and clubs cost money, this has to come from somewhere, membership, sponsors, fund raisers, government grants, club membership is used to pay for most things but often the volunteers reward is seeing the organisation raise funds from events to help keep it sustainable into the future and do things better.
Coming from NSW and having been to a few WA events the yellow shirts are certainly appreciated.
Are there more volunteers out there not doing a job for waksa willing to assist PKR?
Will some waksa helpers also help out PKR?
Will PKR align with sailing clubs and use their support network?
will there be a divide between waksa and PKR
Will they be bidding to run events
Will waksa waive the waksa membership for their events if you have somebody else s insurance (the membership covers more than insurance)So many questions, Big Big job.

But most importantly
Will friendships be tested
Hopefully not as surely all concerned have the sports best interest in mind

WAKSA has done nothing for Perth WA kite racing - infact WAKSA has had in the past the opinion kite racing is a waste of time was its key events take up 99% of its time i.e. kite stock etc etc and fair enough ( I decided at that time to get off WAKSA committee because of this )- Perth kite racing only exists as a result of a few hardcore & organised racers over the last 4/5 years and the Guru Tim Turner and the L2L race. The l2L race got me personally into kite racing.
Ive been on the WAKSA committee for 4 years over the last 14 years so have some insight- they do a great job at what they do and can find time to do as all of the committee are over worked and under loved.

A WA Kite racing club is the only way forward - FAB

If you want something do it yourself

P.S yes running any kite race requires insurance, approvals, etc etc we have been running kite racing series under yacht club insurances in Perth for the last 12 months - The WA race club just makes this easier for use to use different race courses around Perth and not get locked into 1 or 2 ****ty locations as previous years have forced on us.

Thats it negative dudes - if you want to know more about racing come along and feel the RUSH -

I will be a member of both -

JohnnoKeys said..
WAKSA has done nothing for Perth WA kite racing - infact WAKSA has had in the past the opinion kite racing is a waste of time was its key events take up 99% of its time i.e. kite stock etc etc and fair enough ( I decided at that time to get off WAKSA committee because of this )- Perth kite racing only exists as a result of a few hardcore & organised racers over the last 4/5 years and the Guru Tim Turner and the L2L race. The l2L race got me personally into kite racing.
Ive been on the WAKSA committee for 4 years over the last 14 years so have some insight- they do a great job at what they do and can find time to do as all of the committee are over worked and under loved.

A WA Kite racing club is the only way forward - FAB

If you want something do it yourself

P.S yes running any kite race requires insurance, approvals, etc etc we have been running kite racing series under yacht club insurances in Perth for the last 12 months - The WA race club just makes this easier for use to use different race courses around Perth and not get locked into 1 or 2 ****ty locations as previous years have forced on us.

Thats it negative dudes - if you want to know more about racing come along and feel the RUSH -

I hear ya

JohnnoKeys said..
WAKSA has done nothing for Perth WA kite racing -
If you want something do it yourself

No argument Johnno. In fact WAKSA has never done ANYTHING for anything to do with kiting that hasnt been a particular interest of those who have given their time to WAKSA.
There is a mountain of work that has to be covered by the core c'tee. All the background boring detail that MUST be covered before there's time for optional activities like events and comps etc.
My beef with the PKR Club is that those with all the spare time and enthusiasm for racing could have simply jumped on board the official AUS kite org and done EXACTLY the same as has been done far easier, in far less time, at far less cost, with far more validity and with a bank of resources already available to them. The whole reason for spending 12 years getting the KA federation into shape to be the representative body for all the various interests of kiting was to cater for special interest groups like kite racers - a very small minority which should take full advantage of all that national sporting org offers.

No need for new websites, incorporation costs & all the hassles involved. No need for personal $ outlay for those prepared to put in the enthusiasm. BUT whats most important is that by being part of the system we have built for you you are bolstering the organisation which is purpose built to service the need.
OK the existing c'tee may not have time to put in to cover all the logistics of a specific special interest group but they are there & available to cover most of the background stuff. WAKSA is also perfectly positioned to promote & provide volunteer support on the day for the running of any event (prime eg L2L & Russells wave comps).

As kiters we are an incredibly small and insignificant part of society. To have the clout we need to have an effect in the most important elements of our sport - ie beach access; a credible voice on regulations, the right to run events in public areas etc etc - depends on all with the enthusiasm to push toe sport (in any direction) to be a part of the whole.

It simply makes no sense at all for those with the time & enthusiasm to develop our sport to do it outside of the structure thats been built to support any/all area/s of kiting interest.
Totally counter-productive as well as being half-arsed at its very best. And thats regardless of the motives & massive effort of those involved in developing ANY discipline of kiting.

Im not here to knock the organisers of PKR Club (those involved know that). Its taken a huge effort and a massive level of commitment. But as it stands its misplaced. Far more destructive than constructive. We need coordinated unity - not a splintered group of messy special interest groups that outsiders find confusing when 'kiting' issues arise.
If anyone out there has a passion for any area of kiting interest then contact WAKSA (or your own local KSA) and find out for yourself how much simpler & effective it can be if you work within the establishment.
Local Beach User Groups are the core of the interest groups WAKSA is super keen to assist but no less enthusiasm will be forthcoming for any special interest group that would like to organise their own activities.

Why does everything have to be so complicated,

bardunyah said..
Elephant in the room!

A privately owned kite club has started offering insurance cheaper than the kitesurfing organisation.

Is it better or worse, for us and for the sport?

Is it a competitive or complimentary situation?

Insurance cheaper than the kitesurfing organisations,,, sound good to me.
A bit of competition for them might keep high insurance costs down for the average low income earner who isnt interested in competing in comps to progress/increase kiting, dont know why any kiter would want to increase numbers/promote kiting at their local to make more crowds and more beach closures??
, but just wants the insurance and enjoy being covered when out enjoying the ocean so they have the peace of mind their family can still have a roof over their heads and food on the table if daddy hurts himself and cant work for a few months.
A bit of healthy price wars between insurance companies usually means more affordable premiums for the consumer. Hopefully many more insurance companies jump on board to cover us with out promoting or increasing numbers out in the water like all the shops who sponsor and support it want.

lotofwind said..

, but just wants the insurance and enjoy being covered when out enjoying the ocean so they have the peace of mind their family can still have a roof over their heads and food on the table if daddy hurts himself and cant work for a few months.
A bit of healthy price wars between insurance companies usually means more affordable premiums for the consumer. Hopefully many more insurance companies jump on board to cover us with out promoting or increasing numbers out in the water like all the shops who sponsor and support it want.

lukekiter said..
I think it is great that there is a new club starting up, we should be embracing the brotherhood of kiting not nitpicking amongst ourselves. But......insurance should be held by the governing body and be an umbrella for all other clubs to come under. With more members the cost of insurance should make it easier and cheaper to operate.
I am glad there a bunch of guys putting in the hard yards getting things done behind the scene, well done and thanks.

Firstly a big thank you to all those that have shown their support.

The options that were taken were not taken likely.
Many of the points raised were challenges the club was faced with, and in review of the available options choices had to be made. Tough choices!!!
It could have been alot cheaper to take some of the options suggested in this tread, and they were seriously considered.

The questions that have not been asked....Why didn't the club take "the simple, cheaper" options? Why did the club take this course of action?

There are changes under way at all levels of kiteboarding both locally, state level, national and internationally.

KAL has already taken great strides to support clubs.
# In its constitution ( http://www.aksa.com.au/Resources/Documents/1200903-KA%20Final%20Constitution-CPK.pdf )
# And strategic direction ( www.aksa.com.au/Resources/Documents/KAL%20Strategic%20Plan%202013.pdf )

The club does hope in time it can take advantage of these facilities.

WAKSA is actively calling out for clubs and looking to help them develop in conjunction with Department of Sports & Rec Clubs Development teams.
The limiting factor currently, is the day-to-day processes to allow clubs to get new events off the ground efficiently.

Event Insurance:

Quote from KAL insurance summary of cover "This insurance cover applies when members and other insured persons/entities are involved in activities that are sanctioned by the KAL. These activities include official events, training, competition, official social functions, committee meetings, fundraising activities and travel to and from these activities and kiteboarding recreationally"

For a club to get event insurance, each event needs to be Sanctioned by KAL, ( not the state body)
Any event that is not specifically sanctioned by KAL also excludes cover for any members attending.

KAL COC
POLICY IS EXTENDED TO INCLUDE MAJOR EVENTS
HELD THROUGHOUT THE POLICY PERIOD. WHILST THESE
EVENTS ARE BEING CARRIED OUT THE LIMIT OF LIABILITY
IS INCREASED TO $20,000,000.
EVENTS LISTED AS FOLLOWS:
1. STATE WAVE TITLES
2. STATE FREESTYLE TILTES
3. STATE RACING TITLES
4. NATIONAL FREESTYLE TITLES
5. NATIONAL WAVE TITLES
6. NATIONAL RACING TITLES

This requires a clubs to go to KAL for each every event to get cover, to get a Certificate of Currency to support specific events application to Councils, DOT, etc
Currently there is no efficient process to get this done. (No council, or organisation will take any conversation regarding events seriously until insurance is ensured.)
Even if you attend a official yacht club race day or event, social or even a shop event, unless its sanctioned members are not covered.

We must be clear, there is no fault/blame or negative sentiments towards of KAL or WAKSA in regards to these processes, the ground work is in place, it does take time to refine and put in place the now necessary processes.
And no doubt clubs (as well as PKR) in the near future will be able to leverage the national insurance efficiently. ( As is done by example of Windsurfing Australia, clubs can access cover and run event at will)

The clubs is not cutting any corners, and did not want to risk all the good work the KAL and WAKSA have done.
Our Risk management, insurance and due process followed for each and every event is to the same or better standard of any other comparable event held nationally. ( WASKA's Kiteboarding Be safe - Events standards)

In order to get the club established and get new events established this season, the club took out its own insurance for events.
This allows the clubs to present a CoC from the outset.
This means we can progress more social events and race events.

The club has its own insurance till July next year, at which stage it can again look at which is the most affordable and efficient option to gain the critically required insurance to run events.

Event Cover vs Day-to-Day cover.

When taking out insurance for events, it costs the club no extra to have members covered for all the days between events.
When you join the club, you joining the club, you are supporting the club, and for the time being when you join as a perk you get some cover thrown in as a thank you. Other perks the club has been able to secure
Health insurance discounts (can saves you around $200/year shop.goodlifehealthclubs.com.au/Affiliate/pkr )
Gym membership discounts (can saves you around $150/year www.hif.com.au/pkr/default.aspx )

Other clubs will no doubt have to go through similar experiences as they start-up so its important that this topic get input from all sides, each and every point/objection/comment is thus important, lessons need be learnt so that more local clubs can develop and take on a supporting role to the state associations.