I already have some what of a presence in the Geelong area.
Most of my teaching is done between Altona and Torquay.

The aim is to provide a serious source of equipment for the sailboarders in the area, as well as a service to kiters.

It of course ties in with us setting up a new manufacturing plant for products we are designing.
That's the official spurl.
It's really about me wanting to look out the window, see Pt Henry and know when it's closing time.

the Bendigo operation will of course keep going. And don't get excited about some kite price war happening, as all who deal with me know, we have our prices (based an a fair deal to all) and that's how it is.

I am open to suggestions on what brands to stock.

I know that, after a sailbord session in stingray bay the other weekend, weed fins are the go.

That side of the bay eh!

I plan these expansions based on the potential to not only increase income from the operations of that particular location, but also the potential to market the Bendigo made products in the new area.

Our core product being Ute Trays, made Geelong with it's major ford dealership, then a logical step. By coincidence with the above post, the other area offering potential was South Gippsland, where the majority of Trays are sourced from Taralgon. Our logical positioning would be closer to Melbourne. But that's on the back burner (Sandy Point may not be the perfect location for a manufacturing plant).

Sand Mining, now there's a thought.[}:)]

quote:

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Originally posted by silviu

Congrats Ral,

Big upgrade, from "the back of the ute" to a proper store, that's really good news, competition is good for the buyers, may get the prices to a better, acceptable level.
Let us know where and when do you intend to settle, I will be happy to come and "pester" you.
Any way, good luck and looking forward to see a new store opening.

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"Back of the Ute" I heard that somewhere before?????
Of course my ute is my pride and joy and great for carting kit around.
When my showroom is 2hrs drive from the coast, then what everyone sees is actually my delivery vehicle. Part of the best fun of being a kiting retailer is delivering kit so as i can "HELP" the new owner play with their new Toys.

"prices to a better, acceptable level." be careful what you wish for.
That means RRP to me.

Now! How do I fill 100m2 with kit that will sell?????????

Ha ha ha Ral that is a funny avatar - all it needs now is the 6 million dollar man/woman theme...

Geez i am old - 6 million bucks barely buys a 2 bedroom unit next to the airport these days


Perhaps this lass need elizabeth B's help Mind you don't we all

Ral says "The aim is to provide a serious source of equipment for the sailboarders in the area as well as a service to kiters."

Talk about can't see the forest for the trees, take the blinkers off Ral and shed the ego.

You seem to have not noticed that Geelong and Surfercoast have two established, locally owned and operated shops servicing the sailboard and kiting crew. Kitepower in Geelong (LaTrobe Tce) and Stonker at Torquay (Baines Crt). Both have been in these sports and the industry for a long time and both have competent, credible IKO qualified instructors.

Good luck Ral

And no, I dont have any financial or contractural relationship with either shop.

Competition may be good in the short term, but that'll be 4 kite-stores within 30 km's; with a population in the Geelong District of what, 1/10th the size of Melbourne? How many dedicated kite-stores has Melbourne got? So now at least 2 of the kitestores in Geelong will rely on other 'side' business to keep them going. But if everyone's doing it for the love, then that's great, right?

Good luck Tony hope it all works out in your favour.

Ok, ok, I got to confess, Mark put me up to it.

Actually the devil made me do it, he says shop at his shop - Ebay![}:)]

quote:

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Originally posted by Surfer62

Silv, I'm not worried at all because myself and other locals wouldnt deal with a who flys a kite on a crowded beach without actually going out in the water. I have seen the nearly take out innocent beachgoers with his show off antics and it is people like the who risk the current status quo we enjoy with local statutory bodies in the Geelong and Torquay area.

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Can you keep him there, please?
Do not send him to Melbourne, we have enough, here too.

whooaaa!!!

Surfer62, in regards to your nice RED posts, you must be thinking of someone else I expect.

in regards to the quote,

quote:

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The aim is to provide a serious source of equipment for the sailboarders in the area as well as a service to kiters.

---

Note the word Sailboarders, also note that in that sentence the reference to Kiters has a degree of separation.

also in reference to status quo, Please note that I did my IKO instructors course in the same class as Goshen, and have had a presence in instruction and supply of kit since that time in that area and beyond.

As for poor Geelong being over serviced and so much smaller than Melbourne, the actual kiting population is very active in both moving amongst kiting spots within the whole area, and equally active in shopping around not only this area but both australia and world wide.

So Surfer62, don't sweat, the sky is not falling.

Goshen is the owner/manager (?) of "Kitepower" in Geelong.

Geelong is situated on west side of Port Phillip Bay, about 60 odd k's from Melb GPO. Geelong is the gateway to the surf coast and the great ocean rd, Torquay, bell's beach, Lorne, apollo bay.....

I'm glad you posted that Mark, I'm a friend and customer of Tony's and have meet you in the past and didn’t think that would be your style. I was going to respond earlier knowing that Tony was down Sandy Point and no access to a computer, but I thought it was some sort of in-joke that I'd missed.

I don't know what incident(s) surfer62 is referring to, but I have not seen any cowboy or irresponsible behaviour from Tony whilst in his presence whilst kiting. What I have seen, is a guy that dearly loves this sport, who test's a kite that he sells, every which way he can. I had a mate at a spot a while back when Tony was out trailing/testing a kite and he commented,” Does that guy know what he is doing?". He was testing the dump and re-launch capabilities of the kite to find out it's good and bad characteristics were, and yeh, he might have looked like an unco newby(sorry Tony), but he was doing to the kite, what a not so savvy newby might do to it. That's what I like about the bloke, who gives a flying f... what other people think.

Anyhow, most things in life are seldom seen as they are.

Now where’s the wind?

steve

Well, Rex Hunt would be proud of me, every line cast hooked a fish.

Omega - do you know anyone called mark?

Silv - have fun with this.

Dopplegangbanger - great name

Hotkiter - where is NT?

Mark 17 - The mark I referred to was not mark from kitewrong geelong, the vain bastard actually thought i was talking about him, I spoke with vain mark from kitewrong today at condom beach, a geelong gay beat and great kiting spot, now this is how easy rumours start, neither I nor vain mark are gay, well i know i'm not, although vain mark is quite cute. But I digress, now vain mark thought i was referring to him, I wasnt, was I?, I know lots of marks, my brother in law, two mates, a gay kiter and various others, vain mark shouldnt jump to conclusions. I also told vain mark i would not take the piss out of any more marks. Vain mark did a great post too considering he started with not wanting to make a comment.

Ral - Mark (not vain mark) and I were wondering if we could order a couple of light wind aluminium checker plate boards that we hear are being made in your ute factory, I recently tried a galvanised iron board but it was a bit slow. I want a rex gorell sticker on mine.

Surfer 62 - I'm not a real kiter I'm just a very naughty boy, I'm a newbie and karma caught up with me today because I crashed and ripped my kite much to vain mark's amusement.

To all the other crew have some fun and add to this post.

****hotkiter, I would'nt worry,it's the voices in his head you know.