I've put this in the humour section because there is no more suitable category for me.
What I get from AKSA......
They send me my membership tag and something about insurance.
They send me a newsletter with invites to remote events.
Yea, I know this is the link http://www.aksa.com.au/what_aksa_does.php
I'm just and average Joe kiter and it is WAKSA that seems to look out for my local and organise events close to me.
you are touching on a hot topic there man, hope you got a flame suit lying around
We've been over all of this less than 6 months ago... You could just bump that topic back up. Here it is: www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=31888
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=31888
what has WAKSA done for me lately (janet jackson style)
considering the high number of people on surfboards now and riding in the wave areas i still cant work out why there is not 1 wave comp.
Lets hope next year.
Excellent point Caution, hopefully we can do something this Winter.
I'm certainly keen to get my ass kicked by you and dozens of others.
Bumped into someone a couple of weeks back and was chatting about exactly this. To be honest I don't have a lot of history on this (not originally from Melbourne) but the person in question was pretty annoyed and felt his money was being abused. Told me they had a comp some time back which was invitation only to a couple of committee members and their mates and apparently blew money on that and a BBQ afterwards with very few riders from Vic actually invited.
As I said, i don't know the history but that sounds a little unfair, after all, everyone contributes so why an invitation only event?
Errrmmm... Personally I couldn't give 2 figs about contests. I find them boring and repititious to watch but if that is the way your boat floats fair nuff. INSERT YAWNING EMOTICON HERE...
On the other hand the WAKSA long-downwinders (although cursed by lack of wind and my eratic work hours) are my cup of darjeeling and encourage participation accross the skill spectrum.
Even though I get no value from the contest side of things I still think the peace of mind that the public liability insurance gives you is excellent value for $$$ alone. Round my way there are a LOT of cashed up morons who may be itchin to whack a lawsuit on the 1st kiter to cross their hallowed paths. They would no-doubt be able to furnish a much better lawyer (or even one at all) than me. Don't get me wrong, I take care and think about other's safety, as well as my own, but you just never know when the world will bite ya on the bum.
I think that any level of lobbying/representation by AKSA/WAKSA towards councils and other potential problems is also pretty good. Better to come from some of these wisened (although fugly
) heads than a lot of angry individuals phoning up and ranting.[}:)]
All up I have no probs joining each year and I don't fork out $70 without thinking 1st.
Ya can't please everybody in these setups but I think most of the $$ goes towards the right direction. Still it's good to keep an eye on things (such as in a thread like this) and make sure nepitism and croney behaviour doesn't take over.
Now what is the number AKSA have to huie to order some breeze asap?
This has all been yakked about before.
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=31888
Aksa get half of your membership (a whopping $30 or so) and provide the following:
PL insurance (negotiate terms, answer enquiries, etc),
maintain the membership database (required by law),
help to insure, organise and provide rankings for events (usually wearing the final costs not met by organisers),
negotiate with local authorities when restrictions are proposed,
respond to enquiries from the public and govt departments,
promote safe participation in the sport,
provide directions to legal schools for learners.
Its WAKSA that are supposed to organise events in your state gruezi.
If anyone feels they're not getting value for money then talk to your state association. They get half the membership money.
I've watched how much work that the AKSA committee put in as volunteers (having recently resigned as Treasurer) and I feel more than satisfied with what I receive for $65. I'd pay that for the insurance alone.
AKSA was originally set up to act as a national body and point of contact and to represent the sport of kitesurfing to all governemnt authorities, local, state and national.
We got involved at the ground level whenever there were discussions regarding access or regulating the sport.
The function has not changed.
From the very begginings of AKSA it was a goal to seek the establishment of separate State Associations, who could better manage state access and regulatory issues.
The State Assocs have been very pro active in those areas over the ensuing years. Sure some more than others, but without AKSA and the State Assocs, I can guarantee you that access to many popular locations around the country would have been severly restricted and in some cases shuit down completely.
This would include most of the suburban Melbourne area of Port Phillip Bay, Botany Bay/Pittwater/Palm beach/Narrabeen/Collaroy/Longreef/Cronulla/Kurnell in Sydney, areas around the Gold Coast and Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Coolum, Noosa, and many places further North in Qld. Same with WA and SA.
Anyone bitching about "them" volunteers who run the various parts of AKSA, and who have never volunteered to help sort the issues they criticise, should really just STFU or get involved and change what they don't like, or maybe even learn about why some things are the way they are. Perfection is not a realistic expectation from members, and the organisations can only deliver what members put into these organisations run my volunteer members.
Comps are not what the AKSA National and State Assocs are for, comps should always be funded from the industry also from seeking sponsorship from outside the industry. See the 07 and 08 Wave Nats for example.
I would estimate that at least 90% of ordinary members do not give a damn about comps, they just want access mantained, and maybe some fun get togethers organised.
The thread title should be edited to read WHAT CAN YOU DO FOR AKSA!!
Cya and
Goodwinds
Steve
Wow! Steve , 10 out of 10 .
Kitesurfing in Australia is a big jig saw puzzle .It would be nice to think all kitesurfers are a important pieces .
Im my view AKSA is most defiantly an important corner piece of our favourite pastime.
And as Steve would say
GOOD WINDS 
