Kite comps are tough..... It's a shame no one commits but who wants to pay up only to sit round on a windless day?? Sorry it didn't go well for you though....

It's a very new sport and there aren't many pulling off the big tricks yet. Another few years and hopefully I'll get there. hehe

ewan kite said..

HaydenDekker said..

It's a very new sport and there aren't many pulling off the big tricks yet. Another few years and hopefully I'll get there. hehe

this is the problem ^^

people dont need to be pulling off big tricks to enter a comp and have fun. Its an experience and if people dont support the comps now, there wont be any around for you to enter 'in a few years'

So true.

I've tried to say it before but I will say it again, You don't need to be a great rider to enter!!! Come down to these things, meet some new people, get help riding, improve your riding and have a great time! This is what comps in AUS used to be all about, getting together and having a great time! No one went to Nationals to win the thing everyone just used it as an excuse to catch up with mates and have a few drinks. It's not like this thing was expensive it was only 60bucks! and you get the chance to use some obstacles kiting (which is rare) and is also super value because these things cost a lot to build yourself.

Maybe it was also due to the time of year, but I hope we can get more people show up at the next events.

Dont cancel it, just move it to Perth

This sport in aus is going no where fast

Thats a shame Chris but please don't get too disappointed i agree with Rowdy it may be the time of year (between Xmas and newyears). For me, holidays with fam was already booked before i heard of this event. Hopefully one in Sydney one day?? For Melbourne crew shame not enough interest to get this thing happening sounds like a ripper format with a backup plan for no wind. Its always been a tricky thing in Australia, organising an event, props for trying and please try again.

The timing of any event suits some and not some, so in my mind it is only a small part of the problem! It was designed to be more supported by locals as I did not expect riders to travel, especially not from Perth, Qld and NSW, but I was wrong! The majority of reregistered riders are non local!! I understand wakestyle with obstacles can be seen as intimidating to those who have no experience, but how do you gain experience if you do not attend? We are running clinics and have a bunch of really well respected riders attending and to be on hand to help. The issue with council permits has and will always be a difficult process, but the council in this case was pro the event from the start and I have been communicating with them since July. In fact if we had more riders signed up, it would have been worth pursuing and they would have provided the permit.

Kiters need to look at the way they support comps, leaving registration til the last minute helps no one. Planning an event like this requires some idea of the numbers who will ride in it! Another reason the permit process was drawn out, how does one give accurate figures to council if they have no one registered? I understand the old format of kite comps when faced with no wind, kiters sit around and complain, so waiting to register last minute to see if there will be wind is one solution I guess. The King of Kite format eliminates the negative bull**** talk and has riders on the water early every day be it by winch or cable systems (Sunshine Coast comp) thus providing results and allows for a point score system to be implemented which can be used to assist riders with a ranking etc. The cost of this series is also well below that of current trends, it is not for profit as I am spending my own money to help the sport develop this style of riding in Aus as I believe this style is being embraced everywhere else but here! We used to have a solid wakestyle scene in Aus but it dissolved mainly due to the small mindedness of the kiting community in general! I have just spent a week in Perth, there is an 80/20 split of riders wearing boots to footstraps there, it is awesome to see. Even kids 11years old right through to older riders are in boots, and when asked why boots, they all say it makes their riding better, easier and more board control....finally!!!!

If this event is to gain any traction it first and foremost requires riders to change their limited view of kite comps and support it through early registrations so I can manage the planning procedures. As there is no event committee, no budgets, no big sponsors etc etc, it is purely for riders put together by a rider who wants to see everyone improve and this style of riding progress to get it back to where we were a few years ago and possibly beyond!

At this stage the Sunshine Coast stop is still going ahead, dates may need to be altered due to new ownership of the Bli Bli Wake Park, but I will address this as soon as I know more. This event will have riders using the two point cable system in the morning before the wind comes in, and then at a beach to ride obstacles and wave kickers!!

For now, the Altona comp is off. The only riding on the features will be for those who can ride features and they will be rewarded with photo and video opportunity. There will be a clinic for everyone who has interest in learning from some of the best feature riders in Aus, this will be on Saturday, 28th December from 12noon, bookings either through the online link (below) or through KSS Altona on 0414 724189 $75pp for all day includes no wind riding!

Chris

Clinic pre-registrations:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?usp=drive_web&formkey=dGRwUmNqUk5lYzYwbTVlT21fOUJNM1E6MA#gid=0

juicerider said..

Dont cancel it, just move it to Perth

I seam to remember waksa trying to run a state titles, it was also cancelled due to lack of pre registrations!

Also there was 5k on the table as prize money last week in a freestyle comp unfortunately the wind didnt play ball and didnt quite build enough, but I think only about 5 riders turned up ready to give it a go, sad really.

As rowdy says its all about having a good time
There will be others in the comp at a similar level and this is where you start to enjoy trying to beat them win or loose you still have a good time.
And when your out, it's time to sit on the beach and enojoy watching the good guys.

Maybe freestyle and wakestyle in Australia is destined to be just everyone doing their thing at there local

Big eeeZeee said..

This sport in aus is going no where fast

no freestyle is going nowhere fast . Course racing is only getting bigger with 4 IKA points events . two in qld , one in melb and now one in perth .

King of Kite/Liquid Force Carnirail is now a pro rider invite only showdown! This event is set to take place somewhere in Victoria over this coming weekend! This event now draws a unique attraction that will be covered exclusively by Kitemag, so be sure to check out future editions coming soon for the all hot details!

Riders have been invited from all over Australia and with some of the best feature riders attending it will make for some great action!

It is awesome that this level of riding can get showcased, it is unfortunate however that we could not go ahead with the full format including the clinic to help new comers to rail riding. It is not over though and we plan to re-visit King of Kite for Melbourne in the New Year. At present the King of Kite planned for the Sunshine Coast is going ahead, this event will be a cable/kite event or wind /no wind! More info will be out soon but for further info please contact me direct- [email protected]

Thank you for your understanding and continued support.

Best wishes for the festive period,

Chris

dusta said..

Big eeeZeee said..

This sport in aus is going no where fast

no freestyle is going nowhere fast . Course racing is only getting bigger with 4 IKA points events . two in qld , one in melb and now one in perth .

I think that is what Big eeeZee means

Where is it at ?? Wouldn't mind checking it out