2010 CGKA DEMO DAY !???

K4L · Since 19 Jan 2009 483 Posts Obsessed

Were you guys able to get the issues resolved last year by chance or are we on our own again?

Demo day is sure nice as far as geting several different brands demo'd at one time, especially for those not living where they can kite whenever it is blowing.

If not an "official CGKA sanctioned Demo Day" what about an unofficial demo opportunity where several "brands" just happen to be on the beach at the same day offering Demo's???

Bettyboarder · Thu Mar 18, 10 5:37 pm

There's something coming we'll keep you posted...next meeting 2nd Friday in April we are talking about Events for the summer.

Pepi · Thu Mar 18, 10 10:59 pm

Just to add, there typically is a lot of logistics to organizing an event such as this and lots of red tape.
Last year we had the issue of obtaining adequate insurance, which we obtained, and trying to locate enough volunteers to help with the set up, but then were also informed by the Port of Hood River that we had to receive signed permission from each of the kite schools (whether they were on the sandbar or not) before the Port would consider our demo event permit (which did not exactly work out).

As Nicole mentioned, we are discussing this event at the next meeting, but it is still totally a 50/50 on whether we will run the event or not.
There also has been some discontent from brands and businesses about non-locally sold brands coming to town and then selling demo kites on the beach.
This may lead to a rule only allowing brands at the demo that are sold via local retail kite businesses. It makes sense and allows for a more manageable event.

If you are in support of a demo day event and want to volunteer, then you should make a point of contacting the CGKA or coming to the next meeting to show your support and volunteer yourself as a helper to make this happen.

Pepi

apctjb · Since 19 Aug 2007 438 Posts Obsessed

Stopped by the Pismo Beach KiteExpo today. Great event, good vibes, nice location the only bummer was no wind but still had a good time. Seems like a great way for manufacturers to show thier gear and get feedback from regular riders. Would be nice to see something similar in HR!

K4L · Since 19 Jan 2009 483 Posts Obsessed

Pepi · Fri Mar 19, 10 8:26 pm

forrest · Fri Mar 19, 10 8:29 pm

K4L, There is a lot to it dude, it's not just as simple as getting all the brands out there and what not. None of the brands really benefited from the format we did two seasons ago. A few brands sold some kites at the beach, but that was it. Before you start thinking "F that who cares that the brands didn't do well" you have to think about who footed the bill. The brands footed the bill and those brands are going to dictate how the event goes in the future... Unless you want to pay for it??? I mean, if you wanted to pay for it I say lets bring them all back!

I know this may sound all f'd up but this is how it is! If you don't like it then you should probably run for CGKA board of directors. We could use people who care about issues that face kiteboarders.

K4L · Since 19 Jan 2009 483 Posts Obsessed

OK, I can understand where you guys are coming from.

Pepi · Sat Mar 20, 10 10:13 am

apctjb · Since 19 Aug 2007 438 Posts Obsessed

Is AWSI holding its expo in HR again this year? Perhaps they would consider expanding the demo to include the general public for a day making this much more of a Pismo like event. FYI did not appear to be any direct selling going on at Pismo, just manufacturers showing off thier gear and sharing the stoke..

K4L · Since 19 Jan 2009 483 Posts Obsessed

DownStream · Since 18 Apr 2007 381 Posts Obsessed

kiteboarding demo events are an amazing and generally awesome experience, and so far better than any 'demo events' of other sports i have personally experienced.

if you enjoy the the freedom to fly and experience all kinds of kites and boards and thereby improve your understanding of kiting and have a great time, then ATTEND EVENTS. that is what will keep this happening, and maintain the motivation to work through the issues. cause there are definitely issues when it comes to making an event.

how about a list of top 10 events. (or whatever is your favorite), you dont have to pick the one i'm thinking about, i'm just curious.

marina · Since 16 Jan 2006 150 Posts California coast Stoked

There was no selling at Pismo. Any selling other than previous approved items (we sold event t-shirts, mags, calendars, misc smaller items but NO kites, boards or accessories) that is discovered by event organizers results in no invitation for offending vendor for following year.

this will also be a stipulation in La Ventana unless we can figure out a way to honor the local business community, brands and retailers.

Windance Crew · Since 18 Apr 2008 473 Posts Hood River Kite Shop Obsessed

Time for me to throw my 2 cents in.

As another local retailer I am up for as many kite events as we can do in a year. Organizing these events the right way is a big job and no one gets paid for it. I am stoked the CGKA is trying and hope the Port and others give us the thumbs up.

As for what brands can attend if you include all the brands that are sold in town you are at 8-10, plenty enough to choose a good kite from. However please understand how frustrating it can be for a shop to put their time behind a demo if a very small brand comes in and sells kites out of the back of their truck, it happens.

I will support the CGKA and their members decisions either way, let's just git'r done. Let me know what I can do.

Dave

apctjb · Since 19 Aug 2007 438 Posts Obsessed

Marina;

Great job with the Pismo Expo; despite the lack of wind it was a fun time; great vendors and all around good vibe. Hope it works out well for the vendors that attended.

Kuddos to TKB magizine for sponsoring the event.

marina · Since 16 Jan 2006 150 Posts California coast Stoked

thanks for the props but couldn't do it without Kinsley from Xtreme Big Air (founder of the event), his wife Jamie and great family as well as the collegiate clubs from Cal Poly and Santa Barbara:-)

Despite lack of wind, 110 kiters did register with many more not bothering unless they saw whitecaps! Next year, if we decide to continue this event, we will have some no wind 'entertainment' similar to the event in La Ventana and possibly a trainer kite area for newbies from HQ kites.

Someone pointed out that if you want events, then attend them. This is so true and is one of the problems with Pismo. Because it is a free event where people can drive to (3.5 hours from both LA and SF areas), riders often wait until the day before the event for the forecast to decide if they are coming or not. Don't blame people for this but its a catch 22 situation.

Of course the wind came back in full force the day AFTER the event with wind forecast all week! Liquid Force, F.one, Firewire, Wainman HI and SU-2 boards (repped by Bonetti) stayed on and had a great demo with locals and a handful of stranglers who stayed over for the wind.

All vendors were very cooperative at PIsmo re: NOT SELLING. What also helped us enforce this policy this year was we moved the event a bit south and had to deal with state parks instead of the city. Our contract stated that no vendor sales would happen and if caught, could result in criminal action, expulsion from the event and possible cancellation of the event. Everybody took the policy much more seriously this year and all knew that others vendors would be on the lookout for this activity so I suggest that CGKA does this as well with their contract with the port. Not sure if I mentioned it in previous post but if anyway was found to be selling, it was clear that they would not be invited to either PIsmo or La Ventana the following year.

forrest · Tue Mar 23, 10 9:06 am

Thanks Marina.

FYI for everyone:

Selling kites isn't the biggest challenge honestly. It really is just a question of volunteer man power to make this event happen. First and foremost, the CGKA's goal is to obtain, preserve, and improve access. Events come second.

In the past we've had a strong board of directors that saw events as a great way to move the CGKA forward. Now that we've slimmed down to a core group and brought on some new directors who are just ramping up, we've all agreed to focus on access issues first and foremost. If we have the spare man power, or someone feels really passionate about an event, then we'll dedicate resources towards it.

You don't have to be a director to run an event on the CGKA's behalf. If you're interested in running this demo day, please don't hesitate to let us know.