Why is our talent pool so shallow considering we have world class conditions?

COMPETITION
Most sports have state or local competitions held throughout the year to encourage competition and give riders the opportunity to test themselves against each other. The UK has a national tour with multiple events and this is highly regarded and run by the governing body BKSA.

WHY?
Can AKSA or WAKSA explain why they do not arrange freestyle competitions in WA? It makes absolutely no sense to me considering we have insane locations, plenty of room and epic winds at our disposal?

DOWNWINDERS, COURSE RACING & DRESS UPS
I get it but still at the core of our sport is freestyle riding. How sick would a series of events be allowing riders to compete.

Am I wrong do the majority of the community not want this? Or is it just not priority for WAKSA?

Is WAKSA awaiting someone else to step in and get the ball rolling?

A competition series would lead to more talented riders, healthy competition and an enjoyable event.

What are the other benefits for our sport?

WHY?
Can AKSA or WAKSA explain why they do not arrange freestyle competitions in WA? It makes absolutely no sense to me considering we have insane locations, plenty of room and epic winds at our disposal?

Because as volunteers they do not have the time.

To effectively run a comp you need to ensure it makes a profit so that people are motivated to spend the time to organise it. It takes hundreds of man hours and thousands of $$ to run a comp. Industry sponsors are minimal and until the sport becomes interesting for the public to watch, other sponsors are unlikely to support a comp where only a handful of riders are of international quality.

Local government like to sponsor events but it still ain't enough.

All the people who whinge about no comps usually have no understanding how much work is involved and quite often never lend a hand to run one. If the riders were charged enough to cover the event the cost would prohibit their participation.

WAKSA and AKSA are also loath to finance an event where a small percentage of contributing members actually take part.

If you want to know more, send me a PM. You will be amazed at how much effort it takes. Ask InTheLoop. Bet he's pulling his hair out right now!!

I know the merging with the BKSA debate has been spoken of with regards to schools/instructors/learning, but why not spice it up with the pro tour as well. I know this stops it from being purely Australian, but........

- You get help advice from an organization that started from nothing, and now has an international training program, and probably the best (non-international) pro kite freestyle tour in the world. This could mean instant big time sponsorship of events!

- Half the BKSA riders are already in WA crowding your flat water spots during the summer months anyway!! (UK winters are ****!!!). Tom Court, Sam Light, James Boulding, Nicky Rudd, Hannah Whitely, Luke Whiteside (to name a few) are all here at the moment.

-A rivalry as fierce as the Ashes could be forged, but in kitesurfing, which is more exciting than cricket.

-Benefits for young Australian riders are that it would act as a more accessible stepping stone towards international events (PKRA). And you end up with more guys and gals following in Andy Yates' footsteps. Australian Kiteboarding already has the talent - Just give them the stage they need.

-As in the BKSA tour, you have to have the amateur categories, so the weekend warriors get a chance at glory!!!

I've heard the early BKSA comps, started with a Jet Ski, 2 Buoys, a cheap ally scaffold judging tower and tricks like a Backroll Transition bringing cheers!!

And by the way, who organized the Core Slider Jam at Woodies? That brought in some big names! Surely there is a starting point!!

TenBerri said...


And by the way, who organized the Core Slider Jam at Woodies? That brought in some big names! Surely there is a starting point!!

Toby Bromwich Organised it and Toby, Cam and myself built most of it ourselves with some help at the end from a few nice folks.
The only problem I see with your plan is what riders are actually going to go in this "ashes" thing if you may call it that?... About 4 Australians turned up to the Core slider jam (an open event) I can't see this being much different. All you will be doing is organising an event for euros... see ya there (sarcastic tone).

yep much rather something home grown, just a bunch of beers and freeride format type of jam would be heaps better. similar in concept to what kite jam used to be like.

its a more chilled environment where riders are riding more for the fun than for the competition pressure then end of day you decide who was really pushing them selves and landing more / better sh!t than they normally do and who was just taking it easy and being a lazy sh!t.

need a coconet equivalent over this side

dude if you saw the pages of regulations core had to go through with the govt to hold the event it was just such a head ache.

besides that you'll find there aren't THAT many freestyle riders left in perth like there was a few years ago, and even then half of them would be from east coast or around other parts of oz.

A lot of the crew has given up on kiting or moved to other places by now.

Charl dv said...

dude if you saw the pages of regulations core had to go through with the govt to hold the event it was just such a head ache.

besides that you'll find there aren't THAT many freestyle riders left in perth like there was a few years ago, and even then half of them would be from east coast or around other parts of oz.

A lot of the crew has given up on kiting or moved to other places by now.

Or have got to old for freestyle and have to ride surfboards these days!

We would be very happy to discuss with you or any of the freestyle crew when and where to put on a freestyle event.

Please PM me or email me directly presidentATwaksa.org.au...
Juddy
WAKSA President

I have been discussing this topic with the crew over the past couple of weeks. Everyone has been very responsive and are will to chip in to help get an event happening.

It does not need to be huge to begin with just a local comp with the usual contest format.

I will send you a proper email over the weekend.

Who else out there is keen for an event like this?

Cheers

Sci Anderson

i think this sounds like a great idea Sci. I would be keen as to enter into something like this just to help motivate and push my riding! Would be wicked to see classes or something similar. I think it would of put a few people off with the core slider jam mixing it up with pro ridings and looking like a total twat trying to learn how to ride rails. I know it did with me! If you need any help pm me and i will be happy to offer assistance.
Cheers
Tristan

Im keen plus three other perth girls that would probably be keen as they are travelling to Alva to compete in the nationals.

Cheers

Shan

there are talks that the 2012 National Freestyle titles are going to be in WA- Perth/ safey bay area!?

make it happening guys!

best bet is to save it for next year though IMO seeing as we hardly have wind as it is this year let alone it being near end of season.