Hey Jumpindave im involved in the committee over here in SA, i dont know the full ins and outs however believe (and im happy to be corrected if im wrong) but a good portion of the money goes to cover the PI insurance we get when joining up to AKSA. I think the rest of the money goes to your local associating to run events such as State titles, etc. While the associations do get quite a bit of money back from AKSA from our memberships i guess what the committee does with the money will vary and really does depend on what support the association has. Running events is no mean feat and takes a dedicated group of people to give up their time voluntarily to organise and run events. The more support an association has the easier it generally is. I guess at the end of the day if you cant see what ur getting for ur money or events just arent happening maybe if the local community banded together to lend a hand more events maybe possible. But those comments are only based on the way things are running over here.

Also bare in mind that the associations do a lot of work in the background which noone on the beach generally sees to make sure our beaches stay open for kiting. Without the associations around i could guarantee a lot of the beaches around Australia would have been banned already.

SAKSA has a really good group of guys together this year and its pretty exciting as everyone is really keen to give back to the sport this year. While we have held State Titles and State Wave Titles over here the last 3 years or so there are a whole lot of other events and socail days in the pipe line this year like Season Opener BBQ's and impromptu BBQ's throughout the year, State Titles (Bigger and better then previous years), twighlight races, Downwinders, and a Charity event at Xmas to raise money for those less fortunate than ourselves.

These are just a few examples of whats going on over here but maybe get in touch with your local association and see what they say? They may have some big plans coming up or may even just need a few extra hands?

Most of the membership goes towards insurance,

and I think they spend the rest on beer and hookers

ssooooo,,,how do I get on the committee

^^ they do help... by making u have to be a member of them to ride... i duno but i think that helps their wallets maybe.

^ Fair enough I reckon.

But if AKSA and the majority aren't for events/ comps that people can get together at then where is the money going? 1 free downwinder a year and a couple of snags isn't going to use up the surplus.

Also Jumpindave I'm not sure whether it should be AKSA per say helping, but perhaps the clubs in the area? I know clubs like SEQKA (just as an example) have lots of money saved up for things like this? If I remember correctly something like 40 dollars from every member signing up to AKSA through the club goes to the club to use as the majority wish upon a majority vote.
So I'm also going to take a stab and say that AKSA must take 40 dollars and put it in an account for every person that signs up with them also? If so what does AKSA's money get used for? It's not all wasted on insurance obviously.

I realise this annoys you asking this stuff in a forum atmosphere Dave, but it is better that it is answered so everyone can read it, instead of AKSA getting 300 emails with the same question, which all probably wouldn't be answered inside this year.

p.s. I don't think it is being done with CoreJam anymore possibly either, after a couple of years of losses it's looking shakey for this years event.

Wouldn't bother AKSA with that stuff really cos they would flick the question to the state or local club. AKSA is just a national figurehead representing the states.

There's not a lot of AKSA's share left after AKSA pays insurance. The premium is bigger than you think and increases with every claim.
Add tag, postage, website, administration costs blah blah.

The states have the most $$ and it's to them that questions should be directed.

Do the maths though. If there are 1800 AKSA members (annual report at AKSA.com) and $40 from each memberships goes to the states (not sure of actual amount, been out of it too long) That makes $72,000 to share between the 6 state associations. (12k per state?) It's distributed by membership so each state gets different share. A lot of $$ is spent on maintaining access, safety initiatives and dealing with administrative issues that we don't ever think about.

As a member who doesn't compete I wouldn't want any of my share being spent on feeding the egos of a few. 1800 members financing a comp for 80 kiters? That's just not cricket.

The real facts are that without corporate sponsorship, competitions are doomed. To get return for their investment corporates want the public (consumers of their products) to watch the comps. Kitesurfing comps are notoriously BORING to the public. Fickle winds are a problem and highly technical tricks are not at all interesting to watch. The non-kiting consumers want to see BIG AIR, races and carnage. Sponsorship in kind (products to give away) does nothing to cover the cost of running an event.

To ensure the continuation of successful comps the organisers need to make a profit from the event. While this sport struggles with its identity and participation remains low in Australia thats never going to happen. Event management is a fine art and a lot of work. Mambo (RIP) is one of the few successful comps around and it remains successful because it's not limited by the wind and includes windsurfing and SUPing..

So instead of putting pressure on a small group of volunteers to organise and finance competitions with non-competitors money, put pressure on the businesses profiting from the sport (or can profit from it) and get them to finance them. But be prepared to pay the price. Competitors won't get free food, free drinks and all the other stuff for a $80 entrants fee. Sponsors will want return for their investment.

Jumpindave:

No probs with asking the question. Its just that usually this subject degenerates into a sour grapes back stab the volunteer fest.

I just wanted to add some balanced thoughts before the usual suspects and their wormtongues start to crucify the people who work the hardest.

I know I'll never do it again.

If you go to AKSA.com.au and look for the forms page you can see where the membership money goes.

I was treasurer of my local rugby club and we were working with bigger numbers than the whole of AKSA and the state associations. There's not that much money!!!

doh ....galah beat me to it!!

What Xtortya said... The WAKSA Pres and others put in many, many unpaid hours, late nights and weekends trying to resolve the Mullaloo beach access issue. Issues like this are going to raise their ugly heads everywhere - be prepared guys'n'gals and support your local committee. If you don't; be prepared to pay the consequences - these are gonna cost you a lot more than 65 bucks... What's a good pump worth? About 65 bucks last time I looked. What's dedicated, voluntary representation on important issues worth?

My money goes to AKSA to keep beaches open and thats it.
I don't want to be paying for events 1000km away.
I believe AKSA are going to incorporate local user groups that will get a share of the money.
It should then be up to these local user groups to organise their own events or spend their money how they like and AKSA is just a fund for fixing problems that may affect us all.
We have the Exmouth Expo starting on saturday and this year the price has gone up so money raised will cover the effort put in by the local riders. Sure enough many coming up have pulled out because $110 for a week is too much. Many seem to think their AKSA membership is enough to get everything laid on for them.
You don't get free entry to the mambo just because your an AKSA member and its the most successful event run.
Best thing for you jumpindave is to start your own local club and have your own comps and if others want to join in they pay your club.

Do you get a shirt if you sign up with NSWKBA this year like you did last year?

For a get together with like minded m8s log onto the hookup n organise something.

EASY AS BRO.

WAKSA JUST KEPT OUR LOCAL BEACH OPEN THATS ENOUGH FOR MY $ 65.00

Hi Jumpindave,

As several people have mentioned all of the AKSA financial info is on www.aksa.com.au

The fee split is $25 to AKSA and $40 to the KSA, last season (2009-10) there were 1800 members. This coming year the AKSA insurance policy costing > $45,000, or about $25 each member. The massive increase in cost is due to a number of incidents AKSA members have had.

So the money in the AKSA bank is the insurance premium. But AKSA will also cover the costs of getting the judges to National Championship Events, housing and feeding them while they are there, as well as paying a small daily allowance. And pay for the production and dispatch of membership tags (which are required as proof of insurance at several spots across Australia) and membership cards, and pay for the centralised membership website to allow online membership renewals. Internationally AKSA has joined the IKA which strengthens the sport and has helped get a PKRA event to Australia. In QLD we are trying to consolidate the small regional clubs into a QLD association, as SEQKA has carried the burden for the state until now, but they are aware they can't represent everyone in such a large state.

In terms of NSWKBA, I can not remember of any event that has been turned down for funding. NSWKBA has funded social events in Old Bar, Canberra, South Coast, Botany and Northern Beaches over the last couple of years, run several successful KiteChicks weekends. In Sydney we do not get good enough wind to run wave events, and don't have a decent freestyle location. We did run a series of course racing events last season, and will be involved in another series this season. We have purchased equipment for running events including Marker Buoys and Megaphones.

We are in the process of providing the judging, safety, trophies and toilets for the NSW/QLD state wave titles in conjunction with SEQKA. This will cost NSW/QLD about $45 per attendee, and the attendees will be at maximum up 13% of NSWKBA/SEQKA membership. This process has involved discussing expenses with the organiser and balancing the small industry sponsorship available with the requirements of the comp, this was done to allow NSWKBA/SEQKA to be accountable and responsible to their members. State championships are important to the State associations and we will do all we can to help those dedicated people who put their own effort and risk into running them to provide the best comp we can have. The NSWKBA event equipment will be at the comp as well, someone just kindly volunteered to tow the trailer up there.

So unless you can give me some examples of events that have had funding requests turned down (and feel free to contact me on [email protected] to discuss privately) I don't really see what you are on about. I don't consider AKSA or NSWKBA useless, but would definetly welcome you ideas on what needs to be done.

I think we need more volunteers, and welcome people who can make positive contributions, but if you don't like something then try talking to the association first, then be prepared to volunteer to make a difference. For example if you don't like the way judging is done, get involved and miss competing for an event and do some judging yourself. If you are fair and reasonable then you can make a difference.

Rave over for now, I am putting in about 25 hours a week on AKSA and NSWKBA so I am a bit sensitive, need more wind like last night!

Cheers
Gav
AKSA Treasurer and Public Officer
NSWKBA Treasurer

As you can see AKSA committee and volunteers put a lot of hard work in. I just wish that some people that try to knock the associations, put the same amount of effort into helping, it would be great for all kiters.

Has any body that has had greif or question for AKSA actually tried the contact form on the AKSA site http://www.aksa.com.au/contact i don't think you have.

Gav and others are probably too busy to troll this forum, that for some unknown reason is still allowed to spread crap and bull**** about the associations.

If i was to attack rowdy or jumpindave on the forum i would get moderated, so why is this still going on, how can this be the official AKSA forum when no AKSA board member is allowed to be a moderator.

Keep knocking it guys and then see how much it cost you to go overseas, so you can go kitesurfing. With the negative comments you make and the lack of moderation on this forum, i can see people just saying WTF why bother.

if you have a beef use the contact form at www.aksa.com.au "Not a public non official AKSA forum.

lets see if this gets moderated :)

Man someone is on their ass rags... I didn't attack anyone, I don't really think old mate did either, he was just after some info (perhaps a little emotional). If you actually read my post I thanked the hard working people/ volunteers and respected their good work!
Offering up a few ideas on a forum is completely normal, it far from as bad as everyone seems to be making out. How would me ringing AKSA and asking them what I have written be any better? For 1 I probably wouldn't get in contact with anyone, 2 They probably couldn't care less if I did and 3 it wouldn't be open for discussion with a host of other people involved/ interested in the sport. This forum is a valuable asset in that respect.


p.s. If anything, people involved with AKSA seem far to overprotective of anyone asking for information about anything... maybe there is some sort of collusion they don't want us to know about?.

so why would i bother with my state association?

how many gig's do kbv arrange each year?

a simple regular down winder, race or comp. nil.

maybe a bbq with some Coles snag's.

unfortunately down here it is a bunch of self interested people with a deep seeded financial interest only. and that sucks, there will be no progression if there is no growth and development. after working for many years with the australian sports commission, i know very well there is also funding and support at both a state and federal level.

lets get somethings happening down here. im' going to put up a list of dates and hope we can get some simple down winders happening this season. then would love to see some floating junk out in the water so we can have a few races.

cheers all.

In Brisbane They have formed a club called Brighton Kite Club and im sure there are more clubs formed about the place which from my understanding was to help eleviate pressure off SEQKA. They had an open day a couple of weeks ago where you could re new your membership through the club in which the club would receive some of the money from each person to use towards things like comps etc. Correct me if im wrong but i think this is a great idea (Except for the fact i think it should be called Brisbane North Kite Club). I think its easy to forget just how new this sport really is and how fast its growing. If this club idea works as well as it could then over the next few seasons we should start to see more events in local areas as it will be up to your local club not a state body. I give thanks to people like Chris Wardell and Cam and Rowdy for not just talking about having a comp but actually doing it. Slider comps must be expensive to set up and im sure there would be some of out of pocket expenses involved. I know they don't do it to get rich thats for sure. So if your sitting there whinging because you never get any events in your local area then you really only have one person to blame.