good call about gero... although it's a good spot, you'd have to make a trip out of it and stay for the duration.

there would be a hell of a lot more general public interest if it was held in perth too... much easier to get exposure to the masses if it's somewhere around town.

i'd be down each day as well if it was held in perth, but don't think i'd make it for the whole time if it was in gero.

I think that Gero would be and awesome spot to have the nationals. Gero wind is buy far the most reliable. We don't want to make the same mistakes as the eastern states buy picking a location that is good for people and not as good for wind. I reckon Lano or Gero are the spots.

woohoo

im with jkeys

i dont see many ppl travelling to gero, whereas i reckon a tonne of ppl would turn out if it was more local

lancelin would be better than gero, at least for travelling, but id be there every day to watch if it was in perth metro

I reckon Jonathan and Jess have raised good points. It would be great to have it on our doorstep. If a wave event I would support Lancelin as it is easily a day trip for those interested, and hey, - not such a long drive for the gero crew

My $0.02 regards the wind ... it's totally random what the weather will do on the actual week of the comp. We went for the big summer trip to Coronation beach in Gero and it troughed out for 2 weeks - instead of 30 knots of SW heaven we ended up roasting in 37 degrees and 20 knot easterlies the whole time!!

There was also a huge International Windsurfing event at South Beach a few years back - 4 or 5 disciplines, and held in January - which is usually windy - again, it troughed out for the exact 2 weeks of the events. The days leading up to the event had been classic 20+ knot days ...

The wind all depends on when the high cells come through.. (see www.seabreeze.com.au/info/wind.asp )

No doubt there would be buckets more spectators if held in Perth, rather than Gero...as a competitor, I reckon we'd all prefer conditions over spectators ... .. as a spectator, I prefer it be local rather than Gero!

I really believe that Lancelin is such an ideal spot for the nationals as you have both flat water for freestlye and then waves also. The town is tourist friendly with heaps of accomodation and the small nature of the town will make the event feel so much more together. Its only an hour and a half from Perth and people coming from over east will have to hire cars anyway. There are always so many people in Lano at that time of year that would make for spectators too.(not that this should be the primary deciding factor)

Being a competitor in the last 2 nationals I would have to say that the biggest error was trying to WORRY ABOUT SPECTATORS INSTEAD OF GOOD CONDITIONS FOR KITING! This is the Australian Nationals and it should be about getting the riders to show why they have been nominated by their selected states to compete in great conditions.

I think that Geraldton, though an awsome kiting spot is a little too far and not as tourist friendly as say Lancelin with limited accomodation to keep the competitors together. Personally I dont want to be worrying about my stuff being stolen from my car....which is definately an issue in Perth and Geralton.

Make this event about the kiting and not about promoting the sport! We have plently of other events that could be exploited in the idea of creating good publicity. Whats wrong with letting the sport grow slowly anyway??? Most the competitors will be from over east so lets show off one of our awsome spots!

Greetings,
Geraldton is keen to host the Nationals.....we are in the process of sorting out cheap airfares to Geraldton return. (100 bucks) where we take care of your transport arrangements when you get here.

Should stop the whingers in terms of travel.

Second, we have THE FULL SUPPORT OF VOLUNTEERS. Something you guys need to consider in terms of running an event. More to it than a lot of you think.

Third,

Sorry to biast. BUT WE HAVE THE BEST SPOT IN WA FOR THE NATIONALS. End of arguement.

Gavin

I have never competed in any kiting event and don't believe I or any other spectator should be considered when it comes to deciding on where the nationals should be held. It should be based purely on the competitors needs (i.e. conditions, variations - waves, flat water- and facilities for competitors comming from over east, - ease of transport, accommodation etc.) There are enough local events held around Perth, as well as the kiting that goes on every day at many of the Perth beaches, that if someone wants to watch, the opportunity is more than accessible.

I understand that it needs to in an area that can gain sponsorship, but from what I have seen with previous competitions, Perth, Lano, Gero or Margs have the capacity to attract this.

Is there a possibility of taking a poll from the people that will / may be competing in the event, (both local and interstate,) as to where they would like to see the competition held.

As far as getting Joe public down to the comp , I think in the major cities there is a lot to do and a kite comp even though it is the national one isn't such a big deal .
In a smaller place where less happens the local residents will usually call by to see what is going on , at the end of the day I think I saw more non kiting spectators at the gero comp than I did at the Gold coast . At the Goldie we were on the main drag , max exposure and most people had a look as they came past and kept going .
I think Gavin raised one of the most important issues , the volunteers to do the work , Ian young struggled to get help to organise the Rotto event and that was right here in Perth .
Everybody is raising good points and this is what these threads are about .
Keep it coming .

Very good point Rez, maybe we are expecting too much too soon with the nationals.