seems while everyone us talking about the national we seem to have managed to get a sponsor - got permission (verbal only) from local council
both Rodney and Auckland..
insurance is also sorted...
it will be the 'sponsors event 2004' $4000 first prize, $2000 second the rest will be spotted out.
will be a pure expressions session - ending up in the 5-10 man two round heat - winner takes all.
looking a for a time of year that is gonna suit - it will be in Auckland, most likely Whangaparoa /Orewa area..
will be held over one weekend

open now to suggestions

PS it is not the nationals - but will be as good as..

Why is there such a reluctance to NOT call anything the Nationals. Can't someone from the 09 just lay claim and say something like "yeah theres a comp happening on such a such a weekend and it will be the 04 Nationals". Wasn't that the plan after the last event?
I doubt that everyone's gonna be happy with that, but there you go. Can't please all of the people all of the time.

Thanks for that - sponsors would not be happy with it called the nationals - they will want it branded. Also as the 'nationals' there will be all sorts of judging issues as a stand along competition they can do as they please
really interested in feedback re dates and woudl folks from the South Island travel up?

well done ben,we dont need lot and lots of kiters to have a comp,and we could do it every month,its the best thing to hone the skill levels,practice makes perfect.ill help out with wateva,so lets do it 8)

Fantastic! What a clever clogs.

I know you are calling for suggestions about when to have this event - but do you have a general time frame to give people an idea about what's reasonable - maybe an earliest and latest date?

and something else I forgot - is there anything wrong with calling it the "Insert sponsor here Kiteboarding Nationals 2004"? Just an idea.

And as for south island riders - I can't speak for anyone, but the determining factor in getting southies north of the border is A) that the entry fee is not too big, (if it is only the riders who are pretty much garunteed a prize are interested because of the cost of getting there already) and holding it at a time when there is wind. The Tauranga nationals have gone down in infamy as a total waste of time, and, C) A lot of people make other plans during the winter, and are not in kiteboarding mode or are in kiteboarding mode but overseas.

At a guess I would say that slightly more south islanders would travel north than north islanders travelled south for the nationals down here.

Finally - what about autumn - maybe March? It's the end of the season here (in the south), you guys have got wind there (?), and everyone is still into riding.

march? end of season? bah! wimps!

:roll:
the south of the kilmog kiting krew

Ive sailed in a few windsurfing events, and by far the best and most fun is format, is the one that James and Co put on down in Taranaki every year. www.taranakiwaveclassic.com

Its simple and effective. Entry fee gets you a t-shirt - very important , beer/BBQs, bands, DJ's etc. During the day everyone goes out and has a good time, and then the judges choose the top 10 for a super final for the day, which makes for good watching, cos you get 10 of the best going off.

The winner gets to spray a bottle of bubbly all over his 'loser' mates and gets the recognition of being the best (on the day at least) and all the wicked prizes from sponsors are in the form of a lucky draw....so any joe can win a new board, sunnies, harness whatever...which is great cos its no use the winner getting a new board/kite when the top guys usually get good deals anyway...

So instead of sitting on the beach all day after getting knocked out after 8 minutes - you end up having fun and going big with your mates and new faces, and some cold bevvies afterwards. And if your lucky, the last day BBQ prizegiving has large screen coverage of the action from the last 2-3 days.

It all about getting together and having a good time!

Thanks for that we'll let you know how it comes togther - the more feed back we can get the better the event can be placed.
re 'why not call it the nationals' we don't want teh tag - if it has a nationals stamp then there will be those that feel like they can have a say about how it is judged and organsied.. it will be a pure - if you don't like it don't come event - but 4000 up from grabs could be worth the effort..

open to suggestions

yep sounds great - hope it all comes togther I'm sure heaps of folks would wanna be involved

Something you might want to consider...having a comp at Taranaki does rule out the not so good from participating - just makes it a higher quality (I'm not sure if that's the right word - maybe standard) event. In the end its simply a numbers thing - I have no idea how many people are cool scooting down the front of double overheaders in roaring surf, but I'm sure more of them are happy to ride at Whangaparoa or Orewa. I got no beef either way

Derek here Wind and Kite Magazine

Ben cheers for showing interest in running a kiting expression session.

Keen to support anyone whos interested in putting something together?

I can be contacted on 64 9 428 2441 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Happy Days

Derek
we already see Wind and Kite as the best exposure in print however at present we are tied in with an exclusive option with ESPN but will keep you in the loop - we are keen to have the event covered by the magazine.
cheers for the support

Ben are you saying this event will be on ESPN?

Albi
yep ESPN have shown interest - which is a great start
I hope we get more interest from locals

Nice work Ben! Just do it and the people will come.