This is my first post, so hopefully it's not too contentious :)

I'm looking for a school SOR and have checked out a few and they mostly seem to offer package deals for around $500 to $600.. I have also found a local operation that seems professional, but they offer a 5 hour package for WAY less (around $350).. No names, but if you live in Perth and are on the scene you probably know who I'm talking about?? I'm always on the hunt for a bargain but realize that you kinda get what you pay for, but just wanted info from others that have gone before me.. .. (Learnt or teach in Perth)

Should I avoid the cheaper option? Are there "cowboys" out there that offer sub-standard lessons??

Cheers

If you are in Perth only 3 schools stand out:

AKS in scarborough, PKB in Mullalloo and West Oz in safety bay.

If you are willing to drive a bit further south check a guy in Mandurah ( I think his name is Pete). He will deliver very good teaching at the best rate.

Cool thanks for the advice people :)

Nicko82 said...
Do you have council approval/permits to teach KSS?

Just wondering.

Good Question. So just FYI.
There is no onus on a kiteschool to have a permit to teach in any given location except where kitesurfing itself - or the teaching of - is a restricted activity.
The age old rule of "if it isnt prohibited then its allowed" applies.
Anyone can teach another person to kite on any beach anywhere unless that beach is subject to regulations which prohibits the activity.
The case of Woodman Point is a classic example of these rules in action. Until such time as the council passed a resolution which banned the teaching of kiting on those beaches it was a situation of 'open slather'. Anyone could,: and many did; take advantage of teaching at a beach which wasnt subject to any state or local authority control with regard to kitesurfing &/or the teaching of kitesurfing.
For the record:
KSS has been applying to council for the past 3 yrs for a permit to teach at Woodman Pt. We have pointed out on numerous occasions the mayhem that may well result if council were not to regulate the area. The ban is in response to their own observation that mayhem had become the order of the day.
For the record as well:
KSS had abandoned lessons at Woodman Point a full 3 weeks before the council took action. We made this, very inconvenient, change purely because of the increasing reports we had from instructors of the difficulty they were experiencing attempting to follow reasonable safe practices amongst the crowd of illegitimate instructors that frequented the area.
For the record as well X2 - (not mentioned here but so often touted by others):
We have very specific "in writing" advice from our insurers that the $20M liability cover our school has in place applies wherever "activities deemed to be congruent with the operation of the school (as in the teaching of kiting by a kite school) are not at conflict with any laws, by-laws or regulations pertaining to that activity in the area concerned".
Just as for any, state or private, regular school running a PE excursion for students to the beach for 'surf or swimming' activities. There is no barrier whatsoever to these registered & legitimate businesses conducting their business (classes & teaching) outside of their own premises anywhere as long as they have checked to ensure that the planned activity is not violating any specific regulations in the area.
Incumbent within the granting of a 'permit' by a council for an activity to be officially sanctioned in an area is the vice versa commitment on them to remove the freedom of others to practice the rights of that permit in the same area.
Which is what councils do when approving permits for just about everything.

Thanks mate good advice to be sure :)

Just so angry at myself for umming and ahhhing all summer and now when I finally want to get stuck in, the season is over!! Haha serves me right for being so indecisive :)