i quit IKO to start kite safe asia KSA

[barneskite28]

I think it would be good to have an organisation that deals with local needs. The bksa Is a good organisation, but it cannot be directly assotiated with Asia. After all, it is the Bksa.
Though their methods and and practices can be adopted.

It is unfair to condemn Mike at this point with good intentions.
Kba is a series of shools run by different people, it is not a corporate Machine.
I know many people in kba that do a very good job and teach well.

[Toby]

every country should have an association, and specially in Asia working together with an Asian association. Because each country itself will not be powerful enough with their few schools, kiters etc. An Asian association needs to be strong enough, also to get insurance for everyone...one country alone does not have enough power to get something affordable.

BKSA should stay British, but if they want to help the Asians, then it would be highly appreciated.

For sure everyone wanting to join an association should be able to do so. If a too big "chain" of schools all over Asia have control, it will not work. It needs to be independent and run by someone independent. And that one should earn some money, because it is a real job to run!
And books be public.
Then also less traveling costs will apply, if each country has an association, and they take care of the schools and control them. This then could be reported to the Asians assoc.

Good luck!

[vegasrider]

KiteboardingTampaBay, could you please shoot toby because he is proposing a not-for-profit organisation... I smell someone getting money for his work and not donating his lifetime for the community !

[kiwimike]

spot on toby. i think it is time to move on and get productive. sam and i would like some input and ideas anyone has for this project. please give us a chance. i give you all my word i will give 100 percent to making sure this association is managed correctly. i am working 12 hours a day at them moment getting the kite safe asia website done. it is a big job but i hope to have something to show everyone in the next couple weeks. i am taking nominations for local reps in asia and want everyone to have their say. i have had people nominated from bali and the philipines but we still need a local rep for thailand (sam will take this position if no one else is available) and a local rep for vietnam. if anyone in china taiwan or hongkong is interested then please message me. all positions are open. i would rather people give me some input now rather than critasize after things are running. thanks,

mike

[KiteboardingTampaBay]

Not sure what you're getting at Vegasrider...
I have been proposing (true) non-profit solutions for 5+ years, and busting my hump trying to make it happen (aside from my 2 other jobs). That's not exactly breaking news.
So, either work up a worthy insult, offer up some ideas, or just STFU, any of the three is fine with me.

[KiteboardingTampaBay]

[kiwimike]

the examiner has been removed from all future training activities. seems i have been vindicated. i suppose an apology is out of the question.

[alexrider]

...
in reply to the OP thread -
Mike,
you have messed yourself up from the beginning!
The fact that you work for KBA ... will be a sure sign that this will never work. (and when it fails its you that gets the brunt of the backlash.......not them)

KBA have been putting Asian based schools out of business for years now, most of them run by actual Asian locals who have lived on those beaches most of their life.........i believe if you hadn't have joined them the same would probably have happened to you.
....

The fact Mike works for KBA (according to chasinthewind) is a sure sign that this will work.
Without precursors like Eran from KBA and Thierry&Pascal from Cuttlebone, the Asian locals would not have got timely involved in the sport and probably would still be towing punters on parachutes or renting jetskis if involved at all with beach activities.
BTW, KBA is hiring more local guys than any other schools around, and many Thai run schools are offsets from their efforts.
Eran and his partners, by managing to have a PKRA event in Thailand this year, made the biggest contribution ever for the sport in the region.
Can anyone blame KBA for having more staying power than the schools who have failed due to poor or amateurish management?
I am wholeheartedly supporting Mike's initiative.
Cheers,
Alex

[Toby]

is a sure sign that this will will work.

will work or not?

[alexrider]

is a sure sign that this will will work.

will work or not?

Better chance of working if Mike teams with KBA, the biggest player in the region, as opposed to chasinthewind's pessimistic suggestion.
Hopefully those in the kite sector who have grudges against KBA just because they are successful in a venture that is difficult to make money with, will see the advantages of realpolitik and put personal feelings aside.
Happy new year to all!
Alex