Hi Guys,

Not going this year due to work commitments and just can't afford it (cost on business and self not to mention time away from family). The original idea of Kitestock (Gavin Hirschausen) was to assemble a group of kiters and have fun kiting and partying together. It was excellent, a bit loose and heaps of fun. I think the whole things has gotten a bit too big and too structured, too much stuff happening.

As a suggestion, WAKSA should contact John Smythe from the Merimbula Sailboarding club and find out what they do with the Corona Classic (Mambo). It's been running 30 years and has not lost popularity in all this time.

It's format is simple, kite, surf, windsurf and SUP all you want, wherever you like, whenever you want. Amazing BBQ Food is available between 9am and about 4pm, anytime you like and eat as much as you like. Go for a big surf or SUP in the morning, grab a B & E roll for brekky, then kite SUP or whatever for a couple of hours, grab another feed and drink, go for another session. Shower, clean up, go grab some pizza on the way to the pub. Drink to excess, go home sleep it off.

REPEAT....

The catering for Kitestock is expensive and very rigid (not saying the food isn't good, it's excellent, but takes away peoples choices. Problem is you have to eat between certain times.

All the organised events are a bit of fun but create a huge management problem for WAKSA. Maybe try implementing the K.I.S.S. principal. These are just my thoughts and I'm not bagging WAKSA, I think they do a great job but KS has become too big and unwiedly making it hard to organize, hard to manage for volunteers and organisers and too expensive for the average family.

At the Mambo (Corona), EVERY competitor wins a prize from the prize table as well as top prizes for the winners of each division. Participants names are called out in order of placement for first bunch of positions and then as your name is called you go to the prize table and grab whatever you want. I think this is a fairer method to divvy up prizes from sponsors and will encourage lots more smaller prizes rather than a handful of kites and boards for the few lucky ones.

At Mambo entry was $100 last time I was there, one year I was the last one called to the prize table and I still got a pair of boardies worth $50, and I ate at least $60 worth of chow from the Bar B. I left a happy camper.

These are just my thoughts and constructive suggestions, I hope they help for future Kitestocks.

FWIW.

DM

Well I am going and its gonna b a killer.
The ticket numbers look down and I wanted to know if it had anything to do with the fact it coincides ( is that spelt correct) with AUSTRALIA day weekend.
Looking at the replies it does not.

DM,

Agreed on most except for the everyone gets a prize thing, life's a b1tch and not everyone wins.

I just want play, eat enough to keep me going and drink when I can't play.

Cheers
Rich

^ Catering does too, to a certain extent, but it's focussed on the catering company rather than spread across the whole community.

Rich

In a very quick answer to your post, ticket prices this year are a pretty much in line with last year's price (3 day event = $180) - this year 4 day event = $250.

Without a doubt, the catering is absolutely THE biggest component of the ticket price. We have always struggled to keep ticket prices as affordable as possible in spite of increased catering expenses. Ticket prices haven't gone up for the sake of 'going up' I can assure you.

The WAKSA committee has discussed this year's format & costs since we initially moved to the 4 day format and have not ignored the comments about costs/impact on members' budgets. In terms of how KS 2013 is structured, that is for next year's committee to resolve.

Juddy

Intheozone said...
I would have gone for two days but could not afford the cost or the time off work for 4 days.

IMHO

exactly what i would have done . If i could pay an entry fee per day minus food . Even something like $25-$50 a day i would be happy with . I am not complaining about a $250 entry fee with what it gets in term of food but the fact there isn't a daily or two day pass

well to all those princesses out there, rather than another SB biatch-fest, how about you get involved for next year & be part of the organisation behind this event?

I don't get it...volunteers busting their chops to put on a great weekend - how many of you will put your necks on the line and get involved????

I can't wait for KS.....

I have been to every kitestock since the first in Port Gregory - which IMO was the best one.

I've seen the event grow and grow.
The last time i went was 2009.

Kitestock used to be for the kiter and it was considered the kite industry's time to give something back to the punter in the form of give aways and demos.

It seems that that part has come full circle - To me it feels like its now about the commercial interests - setting them up allowing them to overly promote their wares, rating them on their level of sponsorship etc etc

Last time i went it felt plastic - getting txt messages telling me that a kite star couldnt come but to enjoy myself anyway. LOL I was told later they were actually down the road in Lano?

You want the industry there after all they generously give $000's of stuff away which is fantastic. But dont loose sight of what kitestock was about - getting kiters and their families together to socialise, have fun, drink beer and of course Kite.

Anyway my old man moans aside Kitestock is a great event, run by great people and if its your first time i guarantee you'll have a great time.

Yes, let's not forget it's 4 days instead of 3, I wouldn't expect 2013, if it's a 3 day festival, to cost as much even if it is fully catered.

Next year's committee, whoever you may end up being, might want to bookmark this thread or something?

First 3 were cool, can't comment on the others. Was recently at Port Greg. and reminisced about the 1st one........something about a hard journey for an adventure. Commercialization and what was originally a once off are hard to recreate IMO. Gosh its hot!

richswing said...

Just hope they turn down the volume this year, could not hear myself think - Sh!t I sound like my father.

But seriously, Geralton does not need to hear the music.

+1

I have thoroughly enjoyed all of the Kitestocks over the years and although it has changed and evolved I don't think this year will be any exception, it is great to meet at the Priory and catch up with all of the kite crew and share a few yarns and ales.

I may be an old coj but I still enjoy a loud rocking band at times (I really enjoyed Blue Shaddy a couple of years back) but have to admit it was annoying last year when you were trying to share a few stories of travels and adventures but could not hear a word that was being said.
That was my only complaint last year, it would have been good if they had just provided a few background tunes until at least 10 or so and then cracked it up and tried to get everyone on the dance floor.

The answer is simple. If you think the format and event can be better, step into the hot shoes and walk the walk.
Every kite stock I have been to has been great. Last year was one of my favorite and there was no wind.

Hope to see you there again this year

It is not open to non members, so not going.

WAKSA. said...

Without a doubt, the catering is absolutely THE biggest component of the ticket price.
Juddy

Could the meals be mixed up a bit

Maybe have the final night dinner included in the cost.
Then at time of entry you buy as many $2 or $3 food or drink vouchers as you want.
Or have a water proof plastic card that gets holes punched in it as you use it till you have reached a certain value.

A combination of vouchers could be used to buy a sausage sanga, steak sanga, drink etc.

Then have a local volunteer group (I assume you have things like lions, apex, ses, church or youth group or waksa) run the meals down at the event site.

You will be able to give them some rough estimates of food and drink required by the number of voucher sales, they can then have a go at selling more if they want and work with local food suppliers and have some reserve stock on hand if needed.

This would full fill the food requirements of most entrants for 3 or four days
This would allow the majority to get a quick meal in between sessions (all that most want or care to have).
Would suit those with families
If you dont like it plan somewhere else.
If you want more you go support a local establishment.
And the local establishments will be used for other evening meal for those that are willing to pay or you can cook ur own at your accomodation.

Now to sort out the beer

Good on ya radman, yes even after my gripe about cost I have given in to my weakness for beers and parties and kiting and entered. So yes you can get me a beer!! after the long drive from Gero. Seriously though I hope WAKSA review this thread for next year, an easy fix, catered and non catered tickets(and under 16 groms should be free if not catered), we don't want numbers dropping due to costs as that will drive sponsors away and mean less kites to try on the beach. Just my 2 cents, see you there, now I'm excited:-)