Is this really true or is it BS?

[CdoG]

shes iam ging to go work on
My kiTe skills....

[OliverG]

Don't mean to get off topic here too much, but it's going great so far. London is expensive for sure, but we only have a few days here so it's bearable. Paris, Belgium and Holland will be less expensive. London is fun though, plenty of sightseeing, House of Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Kew Gardens, Hyde Park, London Pubs, and the Underground (subway, not boards!) is super easy and efficient. Will post some pics soon and updates along the way on my blog...

[reyrivera]

Nice ...

Hey, if you have time and if you like the macabre scene, check out the underground cemetery that was laid out in Paris (I forgot the name). In one of the European wars, they ran out of plots, so people had to dig out graves and stacked up bones and skulls underground. The bones were laid out nicely. I did say a short prayer for the dead out of respect before I went in the tunnels.

Rey

[EvanOR]

Third has the same problem with Helm scaring off demos

Actually, 3rd does not have the same problem. Anyone can demo kites as long as they go through the city. Helm does not prvent it, the Foster City is requiring proof of insurance because they don't want to be liable. I'm sure most kite company already have insurance and they just have to go show it to the city and get a permit.

Regarding demos at 3rd, I called City Hall in Foster City yesterday in an attempt to find out what (if any) the requirements are. It took quite some time to get someone on the line who knows what kiteboarding is and is familiar with the location I was referring to.

In fact, I had to be persistent just to keep someone on the line. Eventually, I was transferred to the voice mail of someone who I was told is responsible for issuing temporary event permits (and would know if one is required) but she has not returned my call as of yet.....

[Piotrp]

LET'S STAY ON THIS IMPORTANT TOPIC:

Could someone from Boardsports care to comments? I'd like to hear the rationale coming from either Jane and/or Rebecca.

[EvanOR]

Just a quick note and then you can get back to Alameda. I just received a phone call from someone at Foster City and my understanding is that informal demos done on a one on one basis will likely not cause any issues or require a permit. A full scale demo with some sort of associated " exhibit " does require a temporary use permit, which needs to be pre-approved. This process apparently takes 3-4 weeks....bureaucracy at its finest. :shock:

[friggin old guy]

My intent when I posted this initially was to give Boardsports a chance to defend themselves since this was generating a lot of negative vibe.

Without any comment from them, I can only conclude that the answer to the original question is...it's both true AND bs......

But in the end, I think Charlie's right......let's not dwell on the negative and let it go?

[Bob]

EvanOR

Are you going to have a demo in Alameda?

[dz]

I don't want to add fuel to a fire,
I agree it should be let go.

But just for example at Playa Copal in Costa Rica I saw 3 kite schools using one beach which was a lot smaller, and doing business w fewer customers, and from every observation I made they all got along well (yeah jokes and stories - but they all seemed to function in harmony), launching, landing, and especially all kinds of ways of helping folks in need.

From a few days to a few months into this sport it is apparent that you don't know who you're going to need to thank next,
for saving your ass, saving your gear, saving your time, or just making your day. And this regardless of who is making money for what on the beach.

But maybe that's because there is more wind and it's a bit more dangerous, and more obvious that one might need a bit of help sometimes.

So I think the solution is warmer weather and more wind.

[jono]

I'll comment, not on behalf of either party, but because this whole thread has gone down before (Search for concession in the archives):


Boardsports pays for some kind of concession license. This gives them the right to operate the kiteshack and engage in sales on the state/city/county park property. I think there is some form of insurance as well. Word was before that they can "charge" for lessons from the shack and down the beach. No one else has this right. There was an incident with 2 cycles, 2 mounties, 2 ATV cops, 1 car, 1 truck and a Chopper because someone was giving lessons a while back:
https://www.bayareakiteboarding.com/vie ... concession

That said, I think both parties should come to some agreement about these things so we all don't feel like we have to take sides and both sides get a win-win out of the situation.

I think an informal "you can do two demos per year and we won't call the cops" type thing would be reasonable, instead of "we will always call the cops." I don't think it's anyone's "responsibility" to call the cops if someone else is doing something like a demo -- someone chooses to do that and they could also choose to come to an agreement so both parties can prevent feuds.

I do want to say that besides these types of situations (demo/concession stuff) both parties are completely supportive if they don't have something you need, the guys over there probably do -- so that's a good thing.

I'll even offer to be a mediator and negotiate some resolution between the parties if they want to go with this plan (all done through me and on paper, no one has to meet in person). I think all of us would feel better, stop any kind of underground boycotts and all be more relaxed this took place.

However, I may also be overlooking something that is preventing this and I DO NOT HAVE ALL THE FACTS -- just what has been said in the past about this issue.

I'm glad they are both there, glad there are two places to go for things I might need and glad someone is supporting kiting and has gear in Alameda.