Quality versus privacy re:World Titles and KSUSA Titles

[kage]

Does this mean there will be no Nationals this year?

[surfhorn]

I have no doubt that we could host a successful WT here in Santa Cruz County....maybe throw in a little Moss Landing during prelims.

Its funny that Darcy mentioned the $50K fee for Trestles.......thats the amount I've figured we would need to administer a WT.

The reason I mentioned Trestles is a personal one: I want to put KBing straight in the faces of the surfing industry and competitive organizations who believe they have a strangle hold on everything. Same way as when I paddle out at a major break and take all the good waves.['g*& d*&$ kneeboarder']. From a public relations point of view, it would be a unique event that would interest the mainstream (nonsurfing) media.

As far as water patrol goes, I volunteer not to compete but will instead sit in the line up and 'clear the way'. I've done it for body surfing contests, triathlons (more rescuing than blocking) and for feature movie projects.
Nothing like a crazed KBer aiming straight for you.....I take off and just run the encroaching noncompetitor into the flats or catch him, put my shoulder under their rail and push them up and out of the wave. And, since my boards are basically free, I have little to lose.

Plus I've already lined up a band or two!

[Don]

Does this mean there will be no Nationals this year?

We will have our KSUSA Titles event this year - 2005 and the discussions surrounding the WT's are for 2006.

[albert]

Its funny that Darcy mentioned the $50K fee for Trestles.......thats the amount I've figured we would need to administer a WT.

I meant that it takes 50k just to bid for the beach permit for trestles, there are only 2 or 3 given out each year and you have to compete with the WCT and the NSSA Nationals.

I think it would take about that much to run the WT, but that includes everything; port-o-pottie rentals, scaffolding, judges, beach permits, security, etc.

I still would like to hear what brought the posting of this thread on... have there been any developments that could make Santa Cruz not work?

[surfhorn]

Santa Cruz is a great area for waves....and for everything else. I think we're just airing all the possibilities and looking at all the options before the final committment. You can't beat California in the Fall. Everyone's voice is valued and no opinion too wacky.

I was thinking $50K for everything to run the WT, excluding cash prizes (do we have those?); Trestles would be another $50K.

But what do I know.....I'm only a kneeboarder.

[ShaunMurphy]

I have never surfed here
but i dont think it gets too crowded
And i now it gets some nice waves,
so maybe Sunset Cliffs might be a choice.

But if worst comes to worst, we can get some CONTAMINATED WATER signs and post them along the beach the day before the comp and then we shall have the water to our selves

[Tom Linn]

Thanks for everyone's input. We would all like to have the contest at places like Trestles (my first choice!!) or Sunset Cliffs or Waddel's or 4 Mile or Moss Landing. But the reality is that most places do not meet our criteria for factors both in the water and in the surrounding community. Also, given the many different authorities that control the California beaches it is impossible to have a mobile site.

I'm convinced that interference from non-competitors in Santa Cruz would be marginal. However, it is clear that many people believe that any interference is unaccepatable.

Again, your input is very valuable and helpful. It will help guide us in selecting the best possible venue that offers all of the following:
1. Good waves and good wind conditions
2. Clear priority in the water
3. Plentiful and reasonably priced lodging
4. Restaurant facilities for evening meetings
5. An attractive environment with numerous other surf breaks and interesting features nearby.
6. A centralized location
7. Easy access with a minimun of driving
8. Good weather
9. A reasonable price for beach permits

As you can see, few venues meet all of these criteria. However, we do have a handful that do. We are just trying to select the best one.

Again, thanks for your input. We will let you all know our decision on the venue shortly.

[surfhorn]

After reading the list of criteria, there is only one place that meets all thse points: Jon Manss' house!

[Jon Manss]

Very funny Dan!

[Jerry]

I do know of one place that DOES meet all of Tom's criteria but it's a long way from California [ or Oregon ], but not far from Oz. Cloud 9 on Siargao Island in the Philippines. Good waves Aug. thru Oct., many breaks in close proximity, cheap food and lodging [ and lots of it ] The local community loves staging contests and the revenue it brings in. AND you get the break to yourself for the contest. This is just a idea that you might want to ponder when thinking of future sites

[albert]

For us to get Cloud 9, the country itself would have to submit a proposal to the international kneeboarding comittee two years in advance, and within that proposal have all the details regarding lodging and whatever else.

It sounds nice, but it seems to me no one there would bother doing all the legwork to get something like that off the ground in a reasonable amount of time.

In the past other countries with excellent waves have done a lot of talking about hosting a worlds event, but not much has come out of it. We should be greatful that people like Don and Tom linn have donated their time to organize such an event.

[W.G. Facenda]

Forget the contest circus ! I want to surf cloud 9!!

[Ler]

The world contest is the Devil.

signed: Bobby Buchey's momma

[Irish]

I agree with Coach, I for one am amping about travelling anywhere to the World Titles next year. If it is the USA then good i will be there but i will NOT travel for 18 hours to surf at a world titles where i am going to get droppped in on. It is imperative that we have the permits to keep the break, wherever it may be to ourselves, this means NO OTHER FREE SURFERS INTERFERING DURING OUR HEATS, this must be a guarantee. Id rather surf a break where we have it to ourselves than watching a bunch of free surfers continually encraching on the contest site. It may be kneeboarding but it is the WORLD TITLES and surfers will travel from all over the world so the least we need is exclusive use of our own surf break. The aussie boys will remember Bendalong recently and the altercation that took place after a long boarder dropped in on a competitor, I for one never want to see that king of conduct again at a kneeboard event. I think the US boys will do a great job but i think looking to S Cal ( warmer) and our own beach is more realistic

[quadfin]

In the past other countries with excellent waves have done a lot of talking about hosting a worlds event, but not much has come out of it. We should be greatful that people like Don and Tom linn have donated their time to organize such an event.

Albert..what about Puerto Rico? It meets all the criteria and I think would be receptive to an international kneeboarding event. I volunteer my services to do what I can from here.