Why don't they send there complaints to AKSA? best way to solve a problem is to go straight to the source.

Paul

I think aksa and the state assoc need to grow their assets, in order to make better events ( which cost more) that people ie non-kiting companies are willing to Sponsor with Cash. If that doesn't happen then another way for them to make some more money that i can see is the kiters flip the bill at events in return for free prizes = more cash for the state assoc.

The only thing Aksa should do is probably sort out insurance,membership deals and a national comp, while state associations receive the rest of the membership moneys for equipment and regular meets etc...

I know some1 mentioned that they would rather AKSA spend cash on preserving your local spot than on an event.... well AFAICS it doesn't actually cost money to send the council a fax about where we will kite to avoid getting banned(bribes aside). And events are all you can spend the cash on that you may actually be able to participate in etc... not for every1 but im shore there would be a few hundred people who would definately go if they could if it was in their area. and if you are interested in hosting something in your area there is nothing wrong with forming a local group and asking for some state support for it.

Have a look at the back of your AKSA membership card and compare it to last years, that is where the spare money is going, machines to print your name instead of hand writing them on.

I know I'd rather see a National titles and this is the reason I quit the committee.

AFAICS, i promised myself the first time i read it somewhere i wouldn't use it, but now i have gone ahead and used it :(

As Far As I Can See

On another note, the idea of them offering money for some1 to run the event has allready been bought up to AKSA. Does any1 else agree that this sounds like a good idea to atleast have a nats "freestyle" comp?

i think aksa needs to go and have a meeting with surfing australia and find out how they run there network because it is run quite well!!

Kitehard said...

It would seem that AKSA is almost redundant.

AKSA sells the insurance,
WAKSA sells the insurance,
IKO sells the insurance.
Man, there sure are alot of insurance agents in this kite-scene......
and no one ever makes a claim.
lol.
Cha-Ching!

AKSA sells the insurance,
WAKSA sells the insurance,
IKO sells the insurance.
Man, there sure are alot of insurance agents in this kite-scene......
and no one ever makes a claim.
lol.
Cha-Ching!

Fair point Slave!

Take a look how the Poms do it: dan.com/buy-domain/kitesurfing.org?redirected=true&tld=org

They even give personal injury cover, which none of the above do!

AKSA could be (should be) 'the' resource for Australian Kite Surfers (whereas seabreeze is currently, by far, a more infulential resource). Setting up a national organization that will really represent its members will probably result in increased subscriptions. As the future of the 'kitesurfing license' may not be far away the AKSA could fufill a valuable national role in protecting and promoting the sport.

I cant really say the AKSA has any relevance to me at the moment, I suspect there are many who feel this way. The challenge is to turn that around.

It will however take more money rather than less.

Cheers

Hey Greenpat,

I think that the state associations are handling pretty much most, if not all local beach access issues. It is just not possible for AKSA based in Sydney, to handle problems based here in Perth for example. Cottesloe is a classic example, nice one Johnno!

To Junglist, The IKO insurance DOES cover personal injury and salvage costs of emergency evac.

To 'slave, only IKO and AKSA/WAKSA sell insurance. AKSA/WAKSA is the same, you don't need a policy from both, just depends upon who you buy from. Mostly states are selling the policy and recruiting the members for AKSA.

IKO insurance is pretty much optional, you are not forced to buy their policy, unlike the AKSA insurance where you have to buy their policy with the membership to enter events. What really stinks is if you are covered by IKO insurance, which by all accounts is a better and more comprehensive policy, you still have to purchase AKSA membership to enter AKSA 'sanctioned' events to be covered by their policy. There's your "cha ching"

This is the sort of thing that needs to be sorted out.

The only reason to join AKSA should not be for the insurance, it should be because they are doing stuff for the sport in general, we should feel that it is good to belong to the association, that they are progressing and developing the sport sustainably for the good of all kiters.

Should it not be possible to show proof of alternative insurance and then join AKSA at a fee that is less the insurance premium? It is no loss to AKSA as they don't have to buy that persons insurance policy, therefor no loss in revenue to AKSA?

What if AKSA bought the IKO insurance? Yes the premium is higher, but isn't it worth it to have personal accident AND public liability insurance and to be covered if I travel overseas. I for one would like to be covered if I am injured in an accident, wherever I may be. I don't really care who supplys the insurance, I just want the best cover.

Does AKSA have a bank account with funds in it, if so, what are they using it for? Isn't it better for our state associations to have that money so they can feed it back to local state run events, and issues? Why is it when AKSA runs an event, there is a loss and when Glenn, Gavin or WAKSA run an event there is often either break even or profit, which in turn gets put back into it's members or the community.

There have been conflict of interest issues including former AKSA President, Grant "what's in it for me" Dwyer, when he used AKSA Presidency to secure his company, ACDC or Insane Sports Management, to run the nationals two years running. Conflict of interest is a major bone of contention. WAKSA WAS conflicted until those members stood down and now we have a great committee that is not too busy with running their own business to put more effort into the sport.

This is not being ungrateful for all of the industry business people who were there at the start, thank you all, you needed to be there in the beginning and did a great job.

This is not an attack on any of the AKSA committee members as some of them are friends and associates I respect, however, I am passionate about the sport and the AKSA that I helped start back in the day.

It seems most people are ignorant of what is going on or are just plain lackadaisical. AKSA or our state representative thereof should be something we are staunchly proud of, and passionate about supporting. There are so many issues and I welcome the states and AKSA to join this discussion and see what we can do to turn it around.

These are just some questions I am posting for discussion, again, please be constructive or post your intelligent thoughts. This is not about insurance, it's only one small issue.

Good winds,

Darren Marshall
(former AKSA President)

I see three aspects that need to be discussed here:

1: INSURANCE - Kiters and any competitive sports person need insurance in order to participate in a sanctioned contest. In kiting it seems that your average Joe also feels they need insurance because what they are doing is potentially dangerous to others and they want to cover their ass if they mess up.... (fair enough and quite sensible too.)

2: COMPETITIONS - this aspect really concerns only a very small percentage of the kiting community. I believe that comps should be either run by volunteers and any entry fees should cover the running costs and possibly put a bit of money back into whichever association runs it. And/or the comps should be run by industry organisations and sponsors. They are the ones who make the money from the developement of the sport and lets face it, those of us already in the sport really don't want it to develope further. Only the industry wants more people to start kiting.

3: REPRESENTATIVES - It would be much more effective for State or even more local groups to concern themselves with representing kiters in any given area when and if the need arises.

So really what should AKSA do? I think they could, if they so desire, be a central body from which average Joe can get their insurance, but that could also be left for the states. And other than that I think the only responsibility should be for them to organise which state should run the National Tittles for the next year. If AKSA did not bother selling and organising the insurance side then they really would not be required at all. It would just take the heads of the state organisations to send a few emails, see who wanted to run the next nationals and go from there.

Jeff

I think that AKSA is kind of redundant, the state associations need to take it in turns of hosting the nationals. Maybe some kind of a roster, I don't know. If it was scheduled to be hosted years in advance then we wouldn't be left wondering who's going to have it next. If all the state organisations could agree to take it in turns in hosting the nationals (both freestyle and wave) then I don't think it would be a problem. At the moment its more of a wait for someone to volunteer process.

From a WAKSA perspective I understand that they are trying to host more community type events but I think that since it's been a while since the Gero nationals that it is their turn to do the work and host it. I'm sure that WAKSA can find plenty of support ammongst its members to help organise and put on an event. I'm happy to travel to where ever its held I just think a rotation amongst the states to be the fairest idea.

AKSA should be more generally over seeing and supporting where it can the local associations but the owness should be placed on the local organisation (with the help from outsiders) to organise events.

So maybe have it in WA, VIC, NSW and QLD. Thats once every 4 years they have to organise the nationals, plenty of time to get stuff together.

If AKSA is not making any decisions then it is already a shell org. me thinks?

Well SEQKA might not cover the whole state, but surely it counts for something? And wasn't there something going on in North Queensland at one point? I remember seeing a topic on it or something, but it was a long time ago in a galaxy far away, so I didn't take much notice (even if I did learn to kite in Townsville).

Hey Ian,

Good stuff! Is there an AGM at Mambo? If so, these topics should be brought up and discussed, an agenda should be posted so us in the west get an opportunity to have a say.

Is there need for an election, so that the same stuff can go on?

I pose the question : Should AKSA be formed up by the presidents and VP's of the state associations with only a paid secretary to handle day to day ongoing business.

AKSA has been quite conspicuous by their silence on this one. How about it AKSA, can we have a spokesperson to answer some of the thoughts and questions posted on this thread?

Good winds,

Hi Darren

I assume so the only info I can find is clearly 2 years old
http://www.aksa.com.au/committee.php
Annual General Meeting
The AKSA was held in Merimbula last year and will likely be held there again this year on the first night of the MAMBO event. If you think any of AKSA's decisions affect you, then you should take an interest in the people making those decisions. Full details and the notice of AGM will be made available soon.

It seem like a good place and time to discuss any problems as a almost every one goes to or knows someone who is going to Mambo
I'll Try Get Hold of Flying Kiwi (Gav) tomorrow; I think he is on the Committee to see if he will confirm it

AKSA is no longer Sydney based I think it's Northern NSW, SE QLD based. We are no more Enlightened on the goings on of AKSA than you In the West

Maybe this forum has no credibility seeing as only a handful of people seem to post topics and are mostly flamers and trolls. In my experience with other sports (soccer), questions regarding the committee are directed to the committee themselves or raised when the AGM is on. Has anyone bothered to direct a question to them? My email was answered the day I sent it. [email protected]
There seems to be a lot of angst over the $35 or so that Aksa gets for the insurance and the record keeping. What do the state associations give for the other $30? Sounds like WA has a good state body. For us in Qld it was the local crew and Aksa that saved Noosa.
Musn't be much wind for you guys if you have to whinge about 30 bucks and a bunch of volunteers.