I have just been on the BKSA website. There is a new thread under their forum about kite surfing in Auckland. Some of the kite surf schools may want to write some thing on there before you get a bad rep.

To find this thread go to the
www.kitesurfing.org/message-board/mess.htm

Click on Online Forum.

Under - BEWARE INSTRUCTORS! written today.
This is also meant to be the biggest kiting forum on the net.

(attached thread)
Any instructors applying for jobs abroad beware! Without naming names, I have been working for a school in Auckland and it is not all what it should be. I flew out here under false pretences (?), and the "biggest school in Auckland" is actually a shed behind a shop.

They also use the IKO recognised school logo on some of there flyers and things (they are not), and practise in very gusty and unsafe conditions. Myself and the other instructor (from Europe also), refuse to teach using the unsafe equipment (the manager asked me to fly a kite with no leash! - I didn't) and in the unsafe locations, but are very heavily pressured to do so.

Anyway, I have quit the school, and the manager targets instructors from the UK, so watch out. Kiwis refuse to work for him!

So after spending neally 1000 quid on tickets and visas, I can only advise people to consider very carefully working for schools, get a valid contract before you fly, and if in doubt don't do it!

this was also on the kiteforum.com
Pt shite stikes again

Guest please explain
"Pt shite stikes again"

Having read the thread on the British site - if it is incorrect it is not libellous but defamatory -
It is not well known but forums can be sited for defamation if the writer cannot be identified then the host is liable particularly if they are making money off the site.

In the case of the British site there is a long process of identification so writers can be traced.

If you were the school and you were clean, then it would pay to be aggressive this sort of press can be damaging.

James, PT shite is a location otherwise known as Pt Chev. If the location wants to sue someone for defamation then good luck to it. I would however like to make a counter claim for all the shredded kites and broken limbs that this place has caused over the past couple of years

although completely uninterested in this topic, i have read the thread on the british site and note that the original poster has still not named the school he was referring to.

if it was pt chev sailboards, i'm sure they would have an interesting side to the story re: hiring whinging poms etc.

of course they can't be blamed for the conditions at their local beach. auckland's upper harbour is notoriously gusty in most directions (NW being the least affected), is extremely tidal and reveals many nasty hard things covered in sharp things when it drains out.

despite this many of us jafas have learnt to kiteboard there, because of it's accessability. most people soon get over the place, and seek better locations in the prevailing southwest winds. unfortunately, learners will always gravitate there because of it's visibility and percieved user-friendliness (they think they can at least stand up and walk home when things turn to custard).

like anywhere, there can also be pleasant days at pt. chite, when the sun is shining and the manukau sea breeze fills in to a reasonably constant 20 knots, or in a NW at highish tide. it is understandable that even these best days would be something of a let-down to kiting instructors who have been teaching in the med or anywhere far better suited for kiting.

nevertheless, we are stuck with pt. chev. the crew at pt chev sailboards are at least making an effort to minimise the dangers of the place and provide at least a safety net, and the option of some instruction for the scores of newcomers that end up trying to teach themselves at this spot.

I've never had a real problem with the place... go there in a NW... works well. I've never found it too gusty there at all but won't go there in a strong SW (doesn't take a rocket scientist to fiqure out why... big obstructions upwind)... nice and open to the NW... then again maybe not the ideal learning spot as wind from W and NW aren't excactly light and it tends to rain a bit too... but it's not as bad as it's reputation suggests... remember it's still kite city on many a day there. In a strong SW or WSW there are far better places to kite but NW is sweet as here.