Idea: Fundraiser to send CA groms to Phillip Island!

[Jack Beresford]

Toofast - nice surfing with you guys this morning, thanks for sharing a few barrels.

KSUSA is raising funds to send a US grom to Phillip Island - ideally this November. I expect we'll be in a position to announce more details later this week. The dollars are really pouring in - thank you everyone.

However, given the response from both sides of the Pacific, I think a lot of folks are starting to think bigger. That could mean helping groms from other parts to get to PI - or bringing them over here. That's most likely something to consider for events held in 08. Then there's New Zealand in 09 - which should also be a great opportunity. But let's not get too far ahead of ourselves.

We're at $2,115 and counting - that's a full boat ride for at least one grom. Thanks everyone - keep it up!

DONATE:

http://www.active.com/donate/ksusa_grom_fund

Alternately, you can send a check payable to Kneeboard Surfing USA to:

Mark Robertson
1313 Corte Maltera
Costa mesa, CA 92626

[albert]

We're at $2,115 and counting - that's a full boat ride for at least one grom.

or half the boat ride for two groms!

[Steeno]

well, Australia has big Kenny, NZ has Murray Weir....USA has KSUSA....

for me, this is to kick the USA groms into gear




good point chiko

[Big Fred]

Hey everyone, I know I'm not on the site that much but I do read about what happening in the forums. I'm sure that Shaun and Sam would represent our style of kneeboarding well. This sport has reminded me that I didn't know how much I had lost when I stopped surfing and I feel better since coming back to this sport two years ago, mentally and physically. When I first met Berry, Ler, Greg Shoeman, Chris Canseco, Tom Lynn, Joey Brazil, Bob Welch, Jack and Chris Beresford, Ed Quinn, and a host of many other great kneeboards that I've had the privilege to meet in the past, we were all teenagers having fun without a care in the world. All these guys have known me for 25 years and I've been happily married since I was 23 years old, and everyone helped watch my oldest one while I had to surf a heat. Now that my daughter, Laura, has surfed in the Worlds and is willing to go, I can understand how worried Martin and Joe are about school coming first for the boys, which is the same for Laura, but this a great opportunity for them all.

My wife and I are personally donating $500 for the fundraiser that would send one of our younger kids to Phillip Island. I am not worried about Laura getting to Phillip Island because she is prepared to pay her way there with my help but I would like to see another one of our talented kneeboarders to get a chance that some of us have never had when we were kids.

I think it's important for these kids to travel now because when everyone I surfed with back in the 80s were traveling I had other responsibilities and was raising my kids. I'm just now getting into traveling now that my kids are older but I wouldn't trade raising my family for anything in the world. I hope this donation helps one or two of our groms get to Phillip Island and represent us well. Thanks to everyone that has donated and hopefully in a couple years we can send a whole team.

[Steeno]

legend effort fred......wow

i am gonna say it again


legend effort fred....wow

what a family we have...to cool

[DYdamo]

I think Fred's just got naming rights

[Jack Beresford]

Fred - you've got a huge heart, thank you so much! Unbelievable!

Jack

DONATE:

http://www.active.com/donate/ksusa_grom_fund

Alternately, you can send a check payable to Kneeboard Surfing USA to:

Mark Robertson
1313 Corte Maltera
Costa mesa, CA 92626

[KneeBumps]

I'm in- glad to help the cause.
Is there a method in place to select the lucky grom(s)? Not sure I've seen a discussion of that yet. Seems like there have been two or three names kicked around so far, and a couple of volunteers. What's the age limit, who's eligible, etc. (BTW -my wife calls me the Grom at 55.... )
I also support the concept of the groms/families kicking in some part of the costs -i.e. not a complete full ride.

[Greg Little]

Fred, all I have to say is
HIGH FIVE

[Jack Beresford]

Another big gift - $500 from Curtis Stewart!!!

We're at about $3,400 in gifts and pledges that I know about - could also be a few other checks that have come in!

I expect we'll have news to share very soon on the next steps for sending a grom or groms to PI.

DONATE:

http://www.active.com/donate/ksusa_grom_fund

Alternately, you can send a check payable to Kneeboard Surfing USA to:

Mark Robertson
1313 Corte Maltera
Costa mesa, CA 92626


Jack

[DarcyM]

Excellent Fred and Curtis! Stellar effort to all the KSUSA family here and in Australia.

Groms ... all I can say is, I hope you have a passport already.

[SamC]

I definetly have my passport! I cant believe how much money has been raised so far, thanks every one for contributing to this cause. If we could get a couple of guys together to go, the expierence could be even better.

Thanks Again!!!!!!

-Sam

[Smokin Rock]

Sam,
geev'um!
http://www.extreme-hawaii.com/pidgin/vocab/

[Jack Beresford]

KNEEBOARD SURING USA
JUNIOR TEAM TRIP TO 2007 PHILLIP ISLAND PRO

Dear Parents and Kneeriders,

Kneeboard Surfing USA is raising funds to send a Junior Kneeboarder (under 21) to Phillip Island, Australia for the 2007 Phillip Island Pro – Kneeboarding’s longest-running pro contest. This letter contains more information on this opportunity including how to submit an application. Applications are due Oct. 1, 2007!

The Event

The Phillip Island Pro will take place Nov. 24 and 25, 2007 in Phillip Island – which is in the state of Victoria near Melbourne. It is considered one of the premier events of its kind in the world and regularly draws an international field that includes the best Kneeboarders on the planet. While the level of competition is high, the event is very much a family-oriented gathering with an emphasis on fun and friendship.

The Concept

KSUSA’s goal is to create an opportunity for one or more young American Kneeriders to travel to this amazing event and participate in a unique experience – hopefully sharing the sport’s stoke with other Junior Kneeboarders from Australia and around the world. We are actively raising funds and have received a great response in just a few weeks!

As parents ourselves, we understand this is a significant undertaking for anyone – let alone a young person who may not yet have traveled extensively. Therefore, we are taking considerable effort to ensure it is a positive experience for the competitor and their parents/family. This includes partnering with the organizers of the Phillip Island Pro – who have offered to serve as hosts – to ensure a strong network of support is in place.

In addition to underwriting certain travel expenses, KSUSA is seeking product donations – such as wetsuits, clothing, and other equipment to ensure our Junior Kneeboarder can arrive at Phillip Island in style. The organizers of the Phillip Island Pro have agreed to host our Junior Kneerider(s) and have also waived entry fees. We also hope to offer some scrimmages and other competitive clinics in advance of the trip to prepare them for the experience.

About KSUSA

Established in 2003, Kneeboard Surfing USA is dedicated to promoting the sport of Kneeboard Surfing through competitions, kneelo gatherings and other activities. KSUSA has hosted three U.S. Championships and the 2007 Kneeboard World Championships in January 2007. Founded on creating camaraderie in the world-wide Kneeboard community, KSUSA is located on the Internet at www.ksusa.org.

How to Apply

Applications are now available. To receive an application, e-mail Jack Beresford at jack@ksusa.org. Each application must be completed and signed by the Junior Kneeboarder and a parent/guardian. Applications must be received by Oct. 1, 2007.

The criteria for selecting our Junior Kneeboarder representative(s) will consist of the following:

- Parental support
- Maturity, ability to be a good representative
- Commitment to the sport of Kneeriding by the competitor and their parents
- Kneeriding ability as document by contest results or other means
- Attitude, energy and enthusiasm

Applicants must be U.S. citizens with a valid passport and under21 years old as of 1/1/07. Participants and/or their parents will be required to sign a full legal release prior to departure to Australia.

Thanks for your interest – please let us know if you have any questions.

Cordially,


Jack Beresford
Kneeboard Surfing USA

PS: to contribute to this effort visit http://www.active.com/donate/ksusa_grom_fund
You can also send a check to:

Mark Robertson
1313 Corte Maltera
Costa mesa, CA 92626

[RW]

God help the little ones.....

So not just a cart, but an entire wagon train, has been set before the horse...and off it tries to go. BWHAHAHAHAAAA.....Gotta love this cyber KneeBoreding in the blue world!

Brilliant forethought and planning buy the professional marketing execs around here. ...absolutely outta this world!

Here's a carrot boys....who wants to win the carrot....who wants to pay for the carrot.....schreeeech..........uhhh ohhhhhhhh....wadda we do now.....

Ya see, think tanks are good for ideas....but they lag badly trying to put ideas into practical application...just like this one. From the looks of it the KSUSA talking heads got caught with their shorts down around their ankles.

This "benevolent" plan never moved beyond a brainstorming stage before going public. Everyone can see the backpeddling taking place for being nabbed by the shorthairs of inexperience. If ya reread this thread more than a few times, one can see precisly where the backroom chaos accelerated the spin cycle after each of the many concerns which the viewing public voiced with this cliche riddled, once in a life time, razzmatazz.

This entire "Grom Program" has had no pragmatic planning or structure at all....it's a pure reactionary....on the fly....PR campaign...nothing more. Good idea in theory. Absolutely the worst execution I've seen in years. No planning. No foresight. No Grom Program per se at all. I wonder who's gettin' called out on the magic carpet for this blunder.

Jack called right after the $hit hit the fan two weeks ago. It was damage control based on protocal resulting from the fallout; one of trying to establish pre-release communications to authenticate those post online statements regarding the "concerns and invovlement" with the intended target group. Since then much has been done to cover the short sightedness. Again Ozzies....my commentary is directed towards those in the US.

There is no formal KSUSA member based organization. This place is a chat room for KneeBoarders to interact with each other...nothing more. The KSUSA board allows this ambiguity to continue as it ts a viable means to enlist financial support for it's competitve aspirations. Truth of the matter, KSUSA is a non profit organization in title only....not application. Most belive it to be a legitimate Club/Organization much like the ISF and the ASP, the Boy Scouts, the NSSA....et. al....it is not. The only members per se are the ones who's names fill in the spaces for/as Board Member Titles on that non-profit application to the Government. The rest is all smoke and mirrors.

The KSUSA bulletin board site was created with the intent to impress both the US and the International KB contingencies with a lot of platitudes and razzle dazzle.....the point I'm making is....this "US" platform only exists online...in this blue world. It's easier for the consituants here to type in ideas and such because it's make believe. This organization represents only a small fraction of US KneeBoreding and their own philosophical visions....yet they have lead many to believe they are the voice and central seat for all US KneeBoarders.

They are not.

Nor is the AKC.

Fact is, both are a small fragment of the US KneeBoarding anomaly....which doggedly elects to remain underground.

I've read and listened to a long list of why the KSUSA conglomerate's energy is not focused on actually getting into the trenches and making a difference on a daily basis respectively within each constituants immediate communities to back up all the heraldic pomp and circumstance banter about doing something for their vision of KneeBoreding here at home, where it is sorely needed.

Realistically, the fact is that 90% of the world's KneeRiders are far past post prime age for heroics, and are fast approaching bigger lies and more alcohol fueled reflections of yester era....if not already there. The track record on line shows how this 90% live vicariously through the KSUSA cyber world and the one or two social Glory Days they've put on for themselves during the past three and a half years of KSUSA's existance.

The easiest way for anyone to participate is to throw some money down to esape the foundational leg work needed to carry the weight of this grandiose plan....ie....time and personal sacrifice. This financial shortcut is the American method of dodging the real time responsibilty of interacting and mentoring kids in our society. It's easier to "just give'm some cash and send them to the mall where they can entertain themselves.....As long as I don't have to do it myself."

Some belive money buys legitamacy.

In a pigs eye it does.

Especially when the hunting party starts looking to my group for it's candidates to fill their illusional void.

My kids are not availble to the KSUSA now or ever. I said as much and more to Jack and Mark R. regarding the Groms. The boys and their parents do not know you people. KSUSA as an organized entity has never interacted with them on the levels for which it now wants to use them. KSUSA has never involved themselves with any groms to this date in any way shape or form that even comes close to establishing a working relationship with youth, more or less followed the policies strictly outlining rules of conduct for adult mentors in interaction with underaged kids. Yet KSUSA arbitrarliy decides out of the blue that they want/need to ship them off as Show Horses for it's own agrandizement....

Talk about presumptious indeed.

There are valuable lessons to be learned if one knows where to look towards Australia. Sending any kid/kids to a contest down under guised as an "Exchange Program" is not one of them. Never will be. It's a cheap charade to camoflage the emptiness of the KSUSA's rhetorical proclamations.

For those in the AKC it's been the foundational building of a Club network similar to OZ that speaks for our commitment. Using this oblective as a starting point, We've modified it and have achieved even more than I had planned in the same amount of time since this electronic NeverWorld opend it's Salesroom to the international contingent. With all it's hype and wealth of enthusiasm, very little has actually been achieved by the KSUSA that is even recognized outside of it's small fraternity of on line US enthusiasts.

KSUSA is a conceptual sanctuary for the US competitive elite to showcase themselves, always has been from ground zero. Best thing that happened with this on line organization is that it has instead grown to become a library with tomes of valuable information, amusing dialogue, and hands down some of the best surf pics I've ever seen. But it is not a blue collar environment when it comes down to building small footholds within any of our respective enclaves. That takes dedication and long term commitment....sadly....there are few in here willing to sacrifice their personal time for their ideology.....but they sure got a lot of ideas on how to do it....like this lemon we're discussing.

Am I pissed off?...you know it.

The audacity of this project blows my mind.

KSUSA has no groms....or a Grom Program other than black type on a blue scren. Oh, the BBK makes an appearance when it suits a purpose for PR fluff...other than that this Grom Program is more a conceptual daydream than an orchestrated application of hands on coaching and mentoring young boys with a clearly established schedule and long term goals for them.

So ya gotta ask.....who is the preelected target field....and why?

It's not gonna be the 3 AKC kids still under my wing. Sam is of legal age but still has to answer to his Mom and Dad.

KSUSA has not been involved with any of them other than rarely seeing them on a random surf outting, and at the annual Hero Fest up north. There has been no parental interaction by any KSUSA head with these families ever in a mentor/coaching position. These families came to the Hero Fest representing the AKC under a different philosophy and leadership as witness by all. They are not KSUSA affiliates or pawns to be manipulated so easily just to fill up a Grom Program that has never existed until this ludicrous brainfart.

Jack was told right off that I will not endorse nor give my blessing to the KSUSA's ambitions to mesmerize these young men or their parents. I've been bringing the boys along slowly, respecting the delicate balance preexisting with the parents desires and goals for their kids. Our program indoctrinates and emerses them in the traditional surf structure already in place, basic and advanced water knowledge, leadership skills, and their resposibility as surfers within their own community to protect and preserve the surfing lifestyle. I'm teaching these boys what it takes to be responsible adult men first.....surfers second....and kneeboarders last. They are focusing on proving themselves in the main arena of Hawaii where there is much support already in place for them.

The AKC has earned complete parental support. We have the backing of our community, the Merchants Association, and the three major Surf Clubs in SD proper, with the all those respective members unequivically supporting our efforts. We've worked hard to keep these kids on track amidst the commercial surfing hype of stardumb and the usual societal distractions that derail young minds....and now here KSUSA comes with a big carrot and the typical flash in the pan marketing gimmic used to sell snake oil to the unassuming public, delusionally holding fast to the assumption that KSUSA is actually entitled to hold sway over these young lives...and their families.

Unbelievablly arrogant and unforgivable behavior.

If you think I'm yur worst nightmare, you've got a rude awakening the first time you knock on any of these doors with yur cold sale propositions to these parents.

All you''ve done is create more unnecessary tensions in families that all ready have enough going on with their own familial plans for their kids. Surfing and surf contests are far down on those priority lists. KSUSA would know that if they were to really get involved with these kids. You guys would have known these things if you had ever actually worked with or been involved with youth mentoring programs of any sort. Good luck with yur cold sale...you've guys have overstepped a lot of moral, ethical, and legal boundaries this time.

It won't be me sending ya packin' this time around.


Why don't you guys give it to someone like skaansand who would truely benifit more from the experience than my guys. He's a young adult of legal age. He is an apprentice shaper, and he is unpolluted with the driving poison of contest performance. He would be yur ideal candidate under the your proclaimed social auspices of comaradiere, friendship, and waves. He doesn't have a World Title and he won't win you any trophies given the level of surfing he will be pitted against...so I suggest to the KSUSA conglomerate to reflect on how how this 'once in a life time golden opportunity" will help him grow into the aspect of surfing which he's already pursuing in his own right....shaping and design.

I've never met him yet, we've all followed his progress since his arrival. Seems like a really good guy and most genuinely humble in personality and behavior. This kid is really yur prime candidate from this objective vantage point. KSUSA needs a representitive that best represents it's proclaimed philosophical ideology....not another one dimensional dog n pony competitor.

skaansand......He's yur Grom.......it's the benevolent decision to make.

After all...the KSUSA heads steadfastedly maintain that KSUSA is not about competition and contests Titles....RIGHT


I've cooled my jets for two weeks to get this response out diplomatically. In part I know I've failed. Se la ve. I don't expect this to air long before censorship and banishment ensue. It is not a true open forum which entertains diametric viewpoints. In foresight I've sent key people my last two postings to ensured that my final commentaries are read by those international individuals with vested interests in US KneeRiding. I've no regrets.

This whole KSUSA Grom Idea would work better if all you guys would put yur money into a real Grom Program right in yur own backyards. Afterall, that's where all this enthusiasm and energy need to be focused......not just one or two kids goin' to a contest dressed up as a social excursion world's away from where they live. Only a peabrain would entertain this screwball idea as a progressive step for KneeBoarding. I say target the groms in yur local surf clubs. You guys in OZ wanna know how.....write me...I'll outline it for ya. I am not yur enemy.

You guys want a KneeBoarding future to pass on....it begins at home....with those you see and surf with every day, year after year. That's what the AKC is all about. We promote community envolvement to keep the surfing ohana alive and flourishing as representatives of tradition.....not surfing commodities.

Isolation breeds Extinction.



Aloha
RW
anti hero