cauncy said..

dusta said..

cauncy said..
I hate to be critical
but wtf are you doing holding a state kite event at this time of year
W well
A another
K kite
S session
A abomination

looks like waksa bashing to me

well what was this years kitestock
left me scratching my head after holding failed events at that time of the year
why is it so hard to hold an event earlier?

organise one and find out how easy it is

eppo said..
Dusta regardless of what you think about Cauncy's forward approach surely you see the main problem highlighted here is sound.

I nor do doubt the hard work WAKSA puts into it and I'm sure others feel the same.

But surely the hard hard part is the logistics, insurance, working with councils etc etc etc.

surely the easy part is to pick a time when there is fcking wind and retailers are motivated to show off their new gear, plus crew are frothing over the season coming or at least the rest of it.

Sometime Like earlier in the season. Explain to me why that is hard rather than 'organise it yourself' and I will humble myself and admit the error of my ways.

am I just believing my own logic here? ...are my arguments false and insane?

sure thing eppo . firstly there is the logistics that you speak of . then there is wind . You can't guarantee the wind at any month of the year. i tried to move it to oct/nov but first of all trying to organise it on my own was too much . There was organising things like sea rescue, lifeguards, food, accomodation deals , insurance , funding, drinks , sponsorship, funding grants. Then there is the location .Liquor licencing laws if needed . Can't please everyone . Dongara ticks more boxes than any location . Then also time while oct/november is better its also closer to christmas and some people dont have leave . I'll have a chat with you when and if i come down mandurah way . It's a massive head**** it really is .

Hi Guys,

Kitestock got too big and too complicated and has become a big monster to organise. I have had conversations with Phil when he was WAKSA Pres about how to ressurect Kitestock.

WAKSA have more than enough funds to send a representative to Merimbula on the Southern NSW coast. The Merimbula Sailboarding Club has been organizing Australia's biggest water event for more than 30 years. It is without a doubt, the easiest, most fun, most well attended, multisport event, and is absolutely the longest running, only getting more popular each year and they often get **** conditions. Merimbula only really turns it on once every 4 years for ideal conditions. Rest of the time it can be onshore, no surf, gusty as hell, etc and yet, it is still massively attended.

The Merrimbula Sailboarding Club run the event in November (third weekend from memory). It starts (Unofficially) on Thursday when people start arriving. Official start is Saturday Morning. It's a Wave competition, but only a handful treat it as such. Everyone rides their hardest all weekend with points gathered from wave and beach performance, coupled with effort put into the dancefloor and activities at night. Its a fun event. Everyone wins a prize. Food is via BBQ which is run ALL DAY by the MSBC members. Food is awesome and all covered in the entry fee. You can east your entry fee in food alone!! The pub or Bowling club host the night time entertainment. Everyone parties super hard and the vibe is excellent. It brings a fortune into a sleepy little town (especially the pub).

Retailers come and erect what is akin to a mega gear expo tent city. Everyone has demo's and video's of Kite, SUP, and all manner of things. Prizes are donated by retailers and brands. This is the highest priority for brands every year as it is well attended and at the early part of the season.

It doesn't have to be difficult, it doesn't have to be expensive, and it can work for everyone. Forget the catering, run a BBQ. Forget all the full on activities, most people just want to have fun riding with their mates. Keep it simple with maybe a downwinder and a big air comp if necessary but make it just one event per day to make it easier. These are easy to organize and judge.

Don't believe me? Send a representative to Merimbula and talk to Alby and John Smyth and see how these guys run Australia's longest running watersports event and how it is so popular. If you build it (right), they will come.

It needs to be in late November. Keep It Simple Stupid (KISS) so it's not a headache to organize.

Peace out.

DM

dusta said..

cauncy said..

dusta said..

cauncy said..
I hate to be critical
but wtf are you doing holding a state kite event at this time of year
W well
A another
K kite
S session
A abomination

looks like waksa bashing to me

well what was this years kitestock
left me scratching my head after holding failed events at that time of the year
why is it so hard to hold an event earlier?

organise one and find out how easy it is

Not going to be easy but looking positive thus far ,