waveslave wrote:Why are gifted athletes, professional sportsman, referred to as 'role models' ?
Why are they sometimes referred to as 'global ambassadors' ?
Who started that nonsense ?
They do sport at an elite level.
That's it.
Simple.
They are fallable and they do dumb shit sometimes.
Don't tell me John McEnroe in his heyday was an ambassador for tennis.
He was a champion, an entertainer, a superbrat.......
but not a role model.
Doctors who save lives are role models.
PS. Did a bird die ?
Actually, Like it or not all of us are ambassodors for this sport. The Sport is still small and new in comparrison to other activities that go on at the places we ride. We are very visalbe and take more beach room per person than any other activity I can think of.
We are the new visitors to the beach and like it or not, we will be scrutinized and will be the first group to go if there are problems.
We all know that in many places kiteboarding is a sensative issue and the actions of one can effect everyone.
Therefore we must tread lightly.
A well know person be it an Athlete, Politician etc will always be under the spot light, it comes with the territory and people will hold you to a higher standard. Right or Wrong its the way it is.
John McEnroe was a role model, just a bad one as far as what people saw as acceptable. His behavior was in some ways good for tennis and in some ways bad, but he was in the spotlight and famous which by default makes him a role model.
But he was never in Danger of getting the sport banned. This is the main difference. He brought in money and enough that the behavior was overlooked.
We dont bring in the kind of dollars to the town that give us any push.
We have to work with them.
As far as a Bird getting killed. One was not killed, but a death is not the only problem. These things are protected here like crazy. If the State or federal Government feels that the town is not doing its job in making sure the birds are not Hassled, the town is subject to a fine up to $50,000. There does not even have to be a death. This fine has been levied at another town in the general area. So it is far easier for the town to avoid the risk and say "NO KITING" rather than risk the Fine.
In past years they have closed off 1/3 of the parking area at one of Cape Cods most visited beaches (West Dennis) because the birds were crossing the lot to get to thier feeding area. So trust me when I say the town is not all that happy with the birds and the amount of protection because it costs them a lot of money and causes a lot of headaches. I personally dont want to be another headache for the town.
The above statement is general commentary and was not aimed at anyone either real or fictional.