on the topic of insurance for comps..... if you hold an event the local council normally require to see your form of insurance as an organiser, AKSA can provide it's insurance policy to which the council says yay or nay,if they do say yay, then ofcourse you can't just rock up to an event that has been allowed under AKSA'a insurance policy and try to use someone else's policy... when the council has allowed you to use their land as long as everyone is covered under this particular policy.. so it may seem like extra $$ but getting multiple offshore insurance policies approved would probably never happen

As there is now a paid position to look after the website for AKSA, when can we expect to see an improvement?

I trust some part allocation of the funds put aside for this will trickle down to the webmasters of local associations.

.

The issue here gentlemen is not what AKSA is doing for us, but, as a great American president said, what are WE doing for AKSA.
To let an organization (a committee or of few members or a secretary) resolve and organize everything... you must be joking.
If we love the sport and are so committed, we have to ask AKSA: how can I help?
Not to expect to receive everything on a "silver plate" because we paid few bucks a year.
Let's face it, there are so many great examples what the power of many can do: look at Noosa River Mouth issue few time ago.
We put shoulder together and, the council, had to listen to our say. I think that was a fantastic effort with a great outcome.
I really appreciate Darren's effort to bring to public comment the issues, we have to discuss and show the committee what we believe it should look like, this shows a real commitment and love for the sport.
He throw the ball, we have to catch it and start doing something about, because just bitching about AKSA and not getting our bumps up and do something about is not going to have any positive outcome.

Great post Silviu, As a former P, VP and Committee member of the AKSA (over 3+ years), I can appreciate how hard it is to get anything done, which is why the AKSA decided to pay a full time secretary. This just start in my final year on the AKSA committee. Before then we were all volunteers as most of the committee still are now, many of the committee members have kids, full time jobs and other obligations. and when you do put your self out and work many hours a week to try and better the chances of this sports survival, all you recieve from the majority of the kiting comunity is criticism. AKSA does need help from volunteers, if you don't like something offer to help, it is important that the AKSA survive, some states associations are not strong enough yet for the AKSA to become a shell. I wish I still had time to be on the committee, but I am lucky to get 1 hours kiting a week, little lone spend the needed hours to be of use to the committee.

A big well done to all AKSA committee members both previous and existing, it is a thankless and time consuming job with no perks.

My 2 cents,

JB

I feel the need to put my two cents worth in...

We decided to get our South Australian association back up and running about eight months ago. Any emails to AKSA were answered promptly and thoroughly and large amounts of assistance were offered.

I personally think the job that AKSA does is important and the loss of one nationals is not their fault.

All those people who are having a say on this thread step back and ask yourselves if instead of moaning on a forum maybe you could volunteer and get involved.

There is only so much that a small group of people can do- volunteer your services and with more people more will get done, it really is that simple.

Cheers all- happy riding.

Hi All
Well I've finally joined just so I can shed some further truths and give some news.

The AKSA committee voted that the AGM would be moved to March so as a new committee was not starting up right in the busiest part of the year. WAKSA made this same decision a year back also for good reason. So at this stage (unless the committee votes otherwise this week) the AGM will not be at Mambo. Just because it has been the past 2 years doesnt mean one can assume it will be again. It was unsuccessful both years and I personally don't believe the Mambo entrants are the essence of our membership.

The Freestyle Nationals are going ahead. It was never stated by AKSA that there was definitely not going to be one, just that there was a possibility that there may not be one. So anyway I am pleased to say the AKSA Committee voted that the group consisting of Hudson Godfrey-Smith, Bill Crang and myself are organising the 2008 Freestyle National Championships. Julian Kidd will also be assisting us. Im stoked to work with these guys and have done for various events in the past. Given my level of commitment to AKSA and the sport (which BTW I don't parktake in) and the dedication of these 3 guys, I'm sure we will put on a good show. Location and dates are still to be fully finalised but looks like 1st week of March. These details will be advised asap.

In regard to AKSA and the threads contents, this year's financials will be posted on our website on Friday along with other missing info as requested. Unfortunately the website has always been lacking for AKSA for various reasons stated by Mike earlier.

I am only a part-time Secretary for AKSA, not full-time as has been stated. I do not get paid for all my time and effort contributed to AKSA and I believe the position could easily be full-time at this time of the year. (But I am not putting my hand up) I also strongly believe that more paid people are what AKSA requires to move forward....I say this without hesitation and doubt....it is just plain commonsense for mine.

I will address all other inaccuracies and outstanding info from this thread and offer my personal view on Friday also. To say this thread is not meant to be emotional or personal is bull****. I know more than anyone how much does get done by AKSA and also how much doesnt get done by AKSA, along with having a fair idea of same about state and local associations. What pisses me off is people say things that are completely untrue. I agree some totally valid points have been raised and believe there are good things to come from this but I do not believe it was raised or posted in an ideal fashion. I also believe that one should not raise issues from major industry players if those players won't be made public...I think it sheds much doubt on the validity of the comment.

In the mean time, as has been said by some of you, ask and you will be answered.

Until Friday, try and relax. Maybe you'll get some wind to unwind and realise its not all as bad as it seems.

junglist said...

brooksy said...



Participant to participant is not covered by BKSA - same as AKSA.

No it is not the same! BKSA cover for personal injury whereas AKSA cover for third party only!

Cheers

The thing is......
AKSA sells a cheap-arse cover.
It's not worth the paper it's printed on.
It's a total scam.
lol.

Well its interesting to be away for a few days being cut off from the net and the news kiting in epic conditions down at Sandy Point and come home to read this.

From my own experience I have to say that I have confidence in the current AKSA committee and Emma in particular has promptly replied to several emails I have sent this year.

Having been one of the founders of AKSA several years ago, and then serving on the committee for years until bitching business politics forced me to resign and vow never to join the committee again, it is sad to see the wheel turning full circle again. The same sad crap is happening again, and the committee is becoming the focus of complaints that seem very much to be unfounded.

The point of AKSA was always to promote the sport in a positive and safe way, and to represent the sport to the various authorities that control, our access, to the spots we love.

Our strength comes from the numbers we have, together, united, we are strong!!!
Divided, over personality and business issues and politics, we (AKSA/us) are weak and we (AKSA/us) will fail for our sport.

Without resorting to naming people who cannot defend themselves, past committee and office bearers were always kept in check by the fact that the committee behind them had INTEGRITY, and I feel that the current committee has similar strong integrity and honesty.

Running AKSA was always, and probably will always be a largely thankless task, and it seemed we were damned if we did and damned if we didn't. However that was always by people who never volunteered to get involved and help out!
Funny that eh?

This forum can be a good place to voice concerns for sure, however it would be wise to be sure of the facts before levelling criticism at a hard working bunch of volunteers, or implying they are dishonest or lacking integrity.

Personally, I disagree that it was always intended that AKSA become a shell run by the office bearers of the State Assocs, its was just one of a few ideas. Again, personally, I think we do need an AKSA Committee with all positions filled by quality people. They can be from within or without the wholesale or retail industry that is an integral part of the sport.

Its about the people, not what they do for a living.

Licensing and constant monitoring of instructors accreditation are two things that I think need to be addressed in the not too distant future if this sport is to be sustainable.

The over promotion of the sport by any sector on the industry will cause more and more congestion at your local, this is not a sport for the faint hearted and it should never be promoted in the way I see many in the industry do it.

There is a glut of brands, beach selling is rife, poorly skilled kiters are teaching their dangerous ideas to others. Bow/flat/hybrid kites are being dishonestly promoted as "super safe". The pursuit of the dollar seems to overide much common sense.

I was there at the beggining, I put down my own money to seed fund AKSA, and I drove into Sydney central and registered the Association with my own time and money.
It was started with the only motive being to preserve access for the sport and give the sport a sustainable future. Nothing about those needs has changed.
Insurance, like it or not, is critical to maintaining access!!!!!!!!!!

The work in dealing with the insurance industry alone, requires the existence of an AKSA committee. Maintaining and processing memberships is another reason.

Let the AKSA committee do their jobs, leave the Nationals and other comps to those that want to organise them.

Join up, be part of the solution, not a part of the problem.

Cya and

Goodwinds

Steve

Fitzy said...

OK 'Slave'

Here's a job for you.

I hereby nominate 'Slave' to source member to member insurance, that also covers a kiter for public liability AND personal injury whenever kiting anywhere in Australia including all sanctioned competitions for less than $30 per year.

Now there's a challenge !!

Fitzy - SEQKA Treasurer

Why the less than $30 per year ?
Where did you pluck that number from ?

If AKSA can't deliver the proper cover, they shouldn't offer up second-rate good for nothing 'protection'.

Spacemonkey! said...

Slave' the idea of third party insurance is to keep our beaches open, not for us to claim on faulty hips. If the council knows we have third party insurance they know that if we take someone out on the beach that we can cover it and that they won't sue the council.

Check your policy, dude.
Look for the loophole clause.
That's the one in fineprint and headed 'negligence'.
It would be careless of you to disregard it.
lol.

junglist said...

brooksy said...



Participant to participant is not covered by BKSA - same as AKSA.



No it is not the same! BKSA cover for personal injury whereas AKSA cover for third party only!

BKSA does not cover member to member. This is the same as AKSA.

BKSA does say it covers personal injury (this cannot be caused by another member) to a grand total of 10,000 pounds for death, permanent loss of sight in one or both eyes, permanent los of one or more limbs and permanent total disability at an approved event only.

I'm sure Emma can comment on this but I don't believe any Australian insurance policy will offer this, you would have to have your own life or income insurance. 10,000 pounds is minimal cover anyway and only at approved events. What good would that be for you slave, you don't compete anyway?

As for slave's comments re negligence you must take all reasonable care. There is no exlcusion for negligence in the Policy or Schedule.

Slave, you are welcome to find a better policy

I don't think it is WAKSA (my local) / AKSA's place to be offering personal injury insurance. Surely this sort of thing you get from medibank or your life insurance company and is never something that AKSA is going to be able to be competitive providing as a service

what does frustrate me is the member to member waiver.

it kinda sucks that if i DON'T join AKSA i am in a better position if one of the out of control idiots that we are seeing more and more of hit and hurt me.

i feel like i have to weigh up the pro of indemnifying against hurting someone else on the beach against the con of waiving my rights against someone hurting me especially when it feels like i am trying to do the right thing and act responsibly on the water and look after my equipment whilst said idiots dont give a damn and ride dodgy equipment often in conditions beyond their abilities.

waveslave said...



BKSA does say it covers personal injury

As for slave's comments re negligence you must take all reasonable care. There is no exlcusion for negligence in the Policy or Schedule.

Slave, you are welcome to find a better policy


Negligence is defined in the dictionary as carelessness.
So.....
"You must take all reasonable CARE".
Yep, that's the loophole I was referring to earlier.
Here are some examples of not taking reasonable care.
Launching a kite within 30m upwind of anybody.
Landing a kite within 30m upwind of anybody.
Land-jumping near anybody.
Heel-dragging near anybody.
Dicking-around near anybody. lol.
Standing on the beach flying a kite at 12 o'clock for freakin' ever.

Carry-on.

Slave,

you don't know what you are talking about.

Almost all public liability insurance policies (from the extension to your householders policy, to a broadform liability policy covering a large corporation) require the insured to take "reasonable care" whilst providing legal liability arising out of negligence.

"Reasonable care" will not encompass the situations you refer to above in most circumstances. The "reasonable care" condition must be read down having regard to what the policy covers.

I doubt you will find a policy that does not exclude the insured from taking reasonable care.

Here's a task for you. In addition to tracking down a better policy for AKSA, see if you can find a household policy that does not require the insured to "take reasonable care" (or words to that effect).

Regards
JJD
LLB

I'm pretty sure AKSA have been looking at different policies to suit us the best for a while, and no right minded insurer would insure some1 for gross negligence anyway.

I have no problems paying, and in return you get insurance, membership to a club, the right to vote for who runs it, council support if needed, and shell organisation of national level events and there may be a dvd in the future, and through your state association you get the right to spend the rest of the money on local stuff that you participate in, and if you want something in particular, become a member of the local club or group and ask for state funding?

Because AKSA is volunteer run, and it's nature requires the people running it to have a good idea on the sport, it lends itself to the fact that most of the time, shop owners, school instructors etc.... will end up on the committee. Some people will call it a conflict of interest but really.... if no-one else puts their hands up to do volunteer stuff then what do you expect? it's that or nothing.