On Sunday just past, I was about to launch my kite in an area that was a bit tricky due to wind shadow and direction etc when I was slammed on my neck and head by a kite when I was bending down to pick up my bar!! The offender was trying to launch his kite in said wind shadow and I actually assisted him launch but this kid had no idea what to do like which way to move to get his kite into the wind etc, anyway he was given advice to move back and away to get his kite in a better position but he insisted he was ok and kept giving the thumbs up and yelling launch it etc, basically the kite went up slowly and I immediately assumed he would start running to get it into the wind etc, so I went about doing my thing, but no, he did not do anything but stand in this ****ty position and try and fly his kite hence smashing me in the head!! There were a few choice words said, but this kid showed absolutely zero care and offered no apology, he even had the audacity to blame the wind and said it was not his fault! What if the person hit in the back of the head/neck was a small child, elderly or in fact anyone outside of the kiting community?? The result left me with a very sore and stiff neck and I had a **** session because of it!!
As it turns out this kid is "SPONSORED". WTF is happening with our sport, have brands/shops got that desperate that they will support a relatively new kiter with zero experience?? The brand apparently received a letter from this kid and hey presto he is decked out with new kites - new boards and obviously a new attitude that promotes ego and arrogance!! This incident highlights the ease that we put put gear into riders hands without any concern of what this means. I could go on and on about this but maybe another time. I think the brand and shop associated needs to rethink this approach as this kid is not going to develop the sport or represent the shop well with an attitude he demonstrated Sunday!! I have been a long time advocate of educating team riders and attempting to get them to understand the important role they have, firstly, they must be void of any arrogance, big headedness or the like, as no one likes this and will associate this attitude with the brand they are representing. But it is obvious shops/brands will do what ever it takes to move kites and choose the easy option rather than education and doing things right!!
Rant Over....
Chris Wardell
Chris, I have dealt with sponsored skateboarders (working for a major skate label) especially young kids and its down to attitude. If they do that representing a brand and don't immediately apologise wrong attitude. If that was one of my sponsored guys sorry mate off the team you go and look else were.
They are representing a product and they should know better. That in my opinion is very very bad PR for that company and their brand. Oh and dont get me started on the disgruntled person defending their actions on twitter or Facebook. Word will get around about their attitude very quickly. if someone spends 5 mins putting a post up then thats a customer that brand has lost.
Look at Red Bull for example. They do not advertise traditionally they use athletes as their marketing focus. I will tell you if one of their sponsored guys did that on the beach and someone posted a video the marketing manger would be "what the farq man explain this".... with out a very good reason the next story for that athlete will haunt them forever the internet does not go away...
There are hundreds more decent kids who dont get the chance of a lifetime to be sponsored... Name and Shame I have to say....
I agree with HappyG Chris. Name and shame. There is no room in any sport for kids who don't respect the brand they represent by displaying a cocky attitude. Unfortunately it is a minority who let the rest of the team down. For every one kid who displays that attitude there are ten more who are gracious and humble about their ability and what they get to do.
I tend to agree with you both, but the Brand I represent is important to me and my team have incredible attitudes and work hard to promote the sport to all levels, I feel if I name and shame I am only bringing heat on myself. The kid got a good spray from me and the shop associated will get linked to these comments so they are well aware. They then have the opportunity to educate this young rider and hopefully he demonstrates change and works for his shop in a positive way!
cut his lines, stab his leading edge, give him a black eye
send him home crying to mum
don't reduce yourself to being a little b!tch on the internet
^^^^^Kiters Attitudes,,, bagging people who try to make a better kiteing community????
There's sponsorship and sponsorship mate. There's a certain kite business that took over one end of a certain beach in QLD and transformed it from a quiet place for more experienced guys to escape the masses into a mecca for every grom in the state. Their business model clearly stated that if you can ride in a straight line without falling over and get yourself a foot off the water then you can become a sponsored team rider. An offer too good to miss for teenies desperate to bond/be accepted.
