Madeira Beach Middle School "Curriculum Celebration"

[JoshTaylor]

sean,

i think it's a great age to start, kids that age learn quick.

i know i did.

[Sean B]

Originally Posted by JoshTaylor

sean,

i think it's a great age to start, kids that age learn quick.

i know i did.

Josh,

...and you're an excellent rider bro. I've enjoyed watching you many times out there. My argument is from a somewhat different standpoint though.

[Sean B]

Originally Posted by TBKA

I guess that K4L/Stevil guy wasn't all bad, huh?
nice avatar, too...
TBKA

You kidding me Steve? I think you're a great guy with great ideas for the sport. I don't believe I attacked you personally. I just think TBKA's resources could be put to better use here and local businesses shouldn't use this "positive influence" stance to draw a profit. Now that I'm back in the country...I've been gone since January...I would like to volunteer my time. At the moment, I'm working nights while I search for a job within my field of study. Once I find a job, I'll be on a schedule much like the majority here and should be able to attend evening meetings. The types of fund-raisers you say your organization has accomplished are exactly the type I'm talking about. It's not necessary to throw in my face, the fact that you performed one over the other. They are all equally commendable and deserve recognition. Those are the types of activities which, I feel, should continue being pursued. Those are the actions that truly make a difference in our community. Maybe I'm the only one who feels this way and......that's fine. The current MBMS project is absolutely a business proposition.

[Little Miss Sunshine]

If you read back through the posts your tone of voice has gone from mocking to attacking with some interesting ideas sprinkled in here and there. I think before you get on this forum and attack/mock an organization (which some people have worked so hard to start up and are continuing to work hard to establish) you should attend our meetings and find out what we are about and what other community activities we have lined up.

It is very easy to sit behind your computer and bitch. It is something entirely different to show up and be a face....be involved. Excuses are just that, excuses. Here is our website again, please sign up and join our association. And perhaps keep your tone in check when participating in public forums.

http://tbka.org/forum/index.php

I dunno.. are the kids going to get to ride the SUP, fly trainer kites, ride a wakeboard winch and stuff like that?

If they are going to spend an hour getting wet and not have gear prices shoved down their parents throats, then great, but it does sound a little like a well coordinated sales pitch (even if it isn't).

I don't see anything wrong with Sean questioning motives. It's up to club members to prevent a club from selling out.

I guess I would have thought the club would be doing club things to help it's own members, like getting wind sensors and cameras installed, installing signs (which still has yet to happen), offering discounted or free lessons to club members, and organizing FREE races and friendly competitions walking away with nothing but a grin.

Seems like the underlying goal of every local event is to make a profit, and that is sort of disheartening. It's not promoting the sport but instead promoting self and shops.

I am sure this is why Sean is skeptical.

[bayflite]

i see nothing wrong with wsw making a sale.
cuz i know the kid/parent/teacher will be stoked on life!
share the stoke!
but yeah...seans point about the downtown kids being left out is right on point.
peace

[JoshTaylor]

wow, and i thought there was drama at my high school....

[amber]

okay. I'm going to try to clear a bit of the fog here because it seems like there are a lot of questions. First of all, it is important to mention that the organization is not for profit. The organization is not trying to sell anything other than getting kids off the couch long enough to put down the x-box controller and go do something fun in the water. If this organization does an event WITH WSW, it does not mean they are one and the same. Sure, WSW is trying to make a buck. They are a for-profit business. They fill a need that the community has. They have agreed to HELP with this event. If they happen to sell a couple wakeboards because of it, great.

Any NEW organization must start with small, attainable goals. The possibilities at this point are endless as to how far it can reach. All the ideas that Sean mentioned in his post are definite possibilities. Just because this particular event is taking place at Madeira Beach Middle School does not mean that the organization is focused on wealthy bratty kids. Everyone needs to start somewhere. We happened to make a contact at MDMS and they invited us to participate at their event. This is a great way to make more contacts within the pinellas county school system so that we can work with other, more needy schools in the future. This is a fun event that will expose the kids to a couple of fun sports.

As for the comment about us doing something for them getting straight A's... its not about us at that point. If kids like to participate in watersports, it can really be a great benefit to THEIR life. Unfortunately most of us were adults when we started this sport however I know that many of us participated in other sports when we were younger like wakeboarding, skateboarding, water skiing, etc. Go ahead and ask Josh Taylor or Adam if they would be allowed to come out and ride all weekend if they were getting crappy grades. It gives them motivation to do well. This is no different than participating in soccer or football.

As for the purpose of the club/organization. I think that it is two-fold. Yes, one of the goals of this program is to promote safety and protect access. One of the ideas discussed has been the signs and right now we're not going to discuss that because its not the purpose of this thread. However, protecting access is not the only purpose of this organization. I'm not sure if the board members have a mission statement yet or not, but i can tell you that part of the main focus of the organization is community outreach. Whether this be a food drive, a beach cleanup, a school-related appearance, etc. It is a way to be a part of the community and promote healthy living. So yes, although the sign stuff is a portion of the goals that are being set, kiteboarding events (races, demos, cook-outs, etc) as well as community service AND exposing kids to the sport is all part of this up and coming organization.

We're starting out small, broke and exploding with new ideas so bear with us. We may not be throwing free races/events this month but as more people want to participate and more organization is structured, it should be getting more and more fun!

[Little Miss Sunshine]

Amber - Thank you for the support!

Scott - Oh please....

[Little Miss Sunshine]

I think you guys have completely lost the point of this thread which is to promote a fun (not for profit) water sports event this thursday for the kids.

Lets get back to the original post and keep all other ideas/opinions for the general membership meeting or the TBKA website.