Idea: Fundraiser to send CA groms to Phillip Island!

DarcyM · Post by **DarcyM** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 12:52 pm

RW : I'm really sorry that you feel this way, but you're not helping anything with this diatribe of dissent, you're not helping the groms and you're certainly not endearing yourself to those kneeboarders out there who are trying to help the groms. If I didn't know you better I'd write you off as a complete asshole and hope that the admins delete your post so we could get on with it already. I know that you really believe that you're standing up for something important and valid, but this is not the way to do it.

Despite its repercussions, I hope that your post isn't deleted but it is on the face of it divisive, abusive, short sighted, and insulting, to me, to KSUSA, and to all the people involved in KSUSA who believe in this project.

I will only say this in defense of the Grom fund: it is simply more than any help I (or anyone I know personally) ever received by way of funds or support or simple recognition, as a grom, to persue kneeboarding, whether by way of competition or for fun, or as you might call it, getting in touch with the "soul" of surfing.

Once you get past all the bullsh!t the point is this - there are a whole bunch of people, here, on KSUSA, who want to help young people to be motivated to surf. PERIOD. The fact that this community exists should not be a threat to you, the AKC or the NSSA or WSA or PB Surf Club or any other organization that has the same goal. To foster good will through surfing. If you can't handle it that's your f'in problem! Don't drag the groms through the trenches because your feelings are hurt! No, not everyone in KSUSA is going to be able to take a grom by the hand and take him/her to the beach. But that doesn't mean we're not supporting them! The contributions to this fund came not only from people here in Cali, but from Minnesota, from the East Coast, from Australia ... from people who've had no opportunity to have contact with a Grom but who BELIEVE in the concept. That we cannot expect more from the sport than what we are willing to put into it. If we're only able to throw money at it, holy christ that's more than the surfing industry as a whole ever did for us.

If any Grom or their family decides that they don't want to go, that's their choice. Nobody's pushing anyone into going.

Nobody knows if this will continue. Nobody knows if we can do this again. There are no guarantees, in life, in anything. The only thing we can do is try. The only thing we can do is put as much energy, love, and yes money, into the organization as possible to help it to survive. The organization is only as strong as its members, even if the only contact those members have is from electrons on a screen. Why is that not as valid as face to face? The fact is that it is a community, and there are a core group of individuals working behind the scenes, diligently and without recompense, to make it a living and breathing and Valid community. We're not all tied by nose rings to the concept of competition (and pot calling the kettle, it's not like competition is absent from AKC either), so throwing that around like an epithet is getting a bit tired these days.

In the end, I think it's for the Groms to decide. Not me, not Jack, or Don or Mark. And not You, either.

gogglefog · Post by **gogglefog** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 1:10 pm

RW,
I used to think I was cynical.
I really can't find anything sinister about hooking someone up for a surf trip. Do you see conspiracies in everything?
It's just some kids going on a surf trip.

Smokin Rock · Post by **Smokin Rock** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 1:31 pm

i think sending Ska is a great idea.
he does'nt need parental supervision
he is stoked on kneeboarding and from what i've heard a pretty cool guy
he will be representing KSUSA and the mission statement here is commeraderie 1st....so he is'nt at the moment the biggest contest threat...so what? thats not what KSUSA is all about right?
i'm sure he'll be a great representative for the states
so..........................
Ska,
Geev-um!

albert · Post by **albert** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 1:46 pm

Hey RW.

I gotta say I am not surprised with your response here. But after all the disagreements we have had you would think I would get tired of disagreeing with you and reading your typings. Alas I am not, I agree wholeheartedly with what Darcy and Google have said so far. I will also add one thing.

If anyone expects any of these kids to come down to Phillip Island and win anything from the contest they have likely mistaken the level of surfing that goes on during the event. I know I have said this before but I just cannot stop stressing it, the Phillip Island event, year after year is the hardest kneeboarding competition there is hands down, much harder than any world titles (ISA or otherwise) that I have ever had the priviledge to attend.

What they can expect is a rich cultural experience and some good waves, PI always has good waves.

rick carne · Post by **rick carne** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 1:57 pm

Oh!! that was a big shift in the gears!!.....Jacks talking about "JUNIORS" now ..not "GROMS" what give's???? SPIN SPIN SPIN!!! what is the age critieria down at the PI event??? to Qualify as grom or junior?...whats next send anyone to represent the KSUSA logo? kool!... sign me up I want to go!!.. naw that wouldnt work.. I 've been known to hold my rail! hey! lets send BARRY! if we shave him I bet he could pass as a junior! HAHAHAHA!! ( no offence ment barry) just joshin!! well now that your talking "juniors" Jack, you got a wider selection from the KSUSA pool right? cant wait for the shift into 4th gear!! SPIN SPIN SPIN!! GO GET'UM BOYS!! good luck to whoever gets to go! have a fosters for me!! would hate for any kid to miss a "ONCE IN A LIFETIME GIG!!...is austrailia goin somewhere??...really! good luck! and congradulations to whomever gets picked!!...

DarcyM · Post by **DarcyM** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 2:13 pm

Rick -

insofar as I recall, the grom fund was expanded to "juniors" because there is no "grom" division at the PI fest, like we've had at KSUSA contests, and to be fair to our young surfers within that division the age limit was expanded. I think there has been some in depth discussion on what was a "grom" and what age limit that should be. I don't think Barry, or you, or even Craig would qualify.

The whole point is to send a young person who is stoked and an up and coming kneeboarder, not some old fart. I don't think Australia is going anywhere, but I'm 48 and haven't been yet, so it's not something that just anyone (except maybe trust fund kids and feral surf rats) can do at that age.

SamC · Post by **SamC** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 3:29 pm

well im still super stoked on the idea. as far as im concerned my parents dont mind. i never started kneeboarding for the learning expierence, all i want is some good waves and a fun time, and from the sounds of it there will be both with the trip.

thanks again for all that wants to make a young kneerider stoked!

skansand · Post by **skansand** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 4:37 pm

RW, smokin rock, thanks for kind words..really cool seeing as how weve never really met...

i didnt want to jump the gun and volunteer myself, just to be told im not eligible.....but now that the official age has been set to 21,i'll speak up..

.... still no hard feeling if im not elected, after all i'll be 20 on november 27th, and it be good to give less forunate groms a chance to travel...

however , it be great to witness cutting edge kneeriding and austrailian culture...., drinking beerz with the ozzies, maybe pick up a newy...

my parents say they'll help me out with $$ if i was elected to go, i hope its okay with everyone if I submit an application...

peace, matt

rick carne · Post by **rick carne** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 5:01 pm

gee I'm sorry Darcy, I guess I missed "that Discussion" cause I didnt see it on this thread! as far as the rest.......DUHHH!! ....relax and take a pill,.. Good luck again whomever gets the thumbs up!!

Steeno · Post by **Steeno** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 5:14 pm

very cool ska "matt" we share the same b'day

skansand · Post by **skansand** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 5:26 pm

cool steenos, we share it with Jimi Hendrix and Bruce Lee

WayneK · Post by **WayneK** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 8:52 pm

RW You're position/opinions on the significance of kneeboarding never cease to amaze me. We're not going to save humanity here....CHILL OUT DUDE! It's just an oppurtunity to experience some great surfing. Nobody is trying to corrupt a child. The timing of an event during the school term is unfortunate. It's hard to make up lost days at the highschool level so I understand if parents will say, 'no' to their kids. Ultimately, it's the families choice.

I do applaude your efforts working with young surfers and instilling a sense of community and respect to others. Further, the need to establish local 'grass root' exposure of our sport is good. Your militant and inflamatory rhetoric is counter productive. You may think it's effective, but as a parent you scare the sh*% out of me. You need to tone it down a bit. Keep up the good work and stop with the self righteuos act, SERIOUSLY, Wayne

wolruss · Post by **wolruss** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 8:53 pm

Seems that there are some who dislike KSUSA

How the hell would I know what the politics of Kneesurfing Americana is ? This is the only contact I've had with kneelos from USA and has actually bought me into contact with some Aussie kneelo's I wouldn't have had a chance to meet with otherwise

Sam C and Matt (Skansand), good to see you still hanging in there and hope to see you guys at P.Island, I think I'd rather go for a surf with you guys than debate with the detractors of what I still see as an unmitigated, kaotic and just generally "shitty" piece of brilliance generated quite innocently to give a couple of young fellas' a chance of a lifetime.
Hey let's just have a surf and leave all the debating to the shitheads.

Cheers Wolruss

MALLEE BULL · Post by **MALLEE BULL** » Sun Sep 16, 2007 4:50 pm

SKANSAND SOUNDS LIKE THE MAN FOR IT.BRING HIM OUT FOR A COUPLE OF EXTRA WEEKS AND HOOK HIM UP WITH SOME OF OUR SHAPERS IE: BRUCE HART,DAVID PARKES,NEIL LUKE.
WHAT A GREAT LEARNING EXPERIENCE THAT WOULD BE FOR HIM.
LIFE IS PRETTY SIMPLE THAN PEOPLE COMPLICATED IT.
FORGET THE POLICTICS AND LET SOME YOUNG ONES HAVE A TRIP OF A LIFE TIME.

rick carne · Post by **rick carne** » Sun Sep 16, 2007 6:21 pm

From: DarcyM
To: rick carne
Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2007 6:12 pm
Subject: grom thread
sorry if that came off as tense, Rick, I'm chill. I did feel as if the tone of your post was a little hyper what with the all caps and exaggerated sarcasm, and coming so close after a very negative post by RW. I didn't feel like it was appropriate to suggest that the grom definition was arrived at arbitrarily. The discussion of grom ages I was referring to was in a separate thread.

sorry again if it seemed an attack on you, just trying to clarify the issues.
dm

_________________
dm

"Push the button, Max!"

Thanks Darcy... Rick