http://galvestondailynews.com/story.lasso?ewcd=3b854c211baba...

Anyone interested in my thoughts?
Read on...

Another lousy job of reporting.

Writers who fail to educate themselves beforehand seldom do a decent job of educating anyone else.
The mish-mash of kiting styles described in the article makes it difficult to get a clear picture of what the event is about.
And it is intended to promote the Dead Bird Buggy Bash.

I read nothing about buggys or where they originated or what our sport - traction - is really about.

The folks interviewed in the article got to speak to what they do, but failed to mention (or it wasn't noted by the writer) the details of the specific event.
Nearly staggering lack of distinction between modern kiting styles and activities (competition points?)

Seems to me, with the inherent inaccuracies in newspaper reporting (are the other media any better?) a press release would have been well-suited for this instance.

A press-release allows US (the doers) to decribe, in our words, what we are doing, why and where.
As this piece stands, it becomes obvious that is isn't so much what we say...
Rather what others hear.

Too bad another opportunity to show what we do to the wider world, was missed.

Sure wish I could be with y'all and feel that salty sand in my butt crack again.


Safen Up! Buggy On!

"I'm often wrong, but never in doubt"

the coreylama

c

I must have talked to her for about an hour - especially about buggying - types, tires, tandems, kite sizes, 2-4 lines, harnesses, wind window, tacking, etc.

She told me she had a deadline to make, so most of our conversation was omitted. But it at least made the paper! Maybe folks will come to the beach and find out more.

I sure understand.

How many times do we talk to under-informed reporters and get this as a result?
Many of us have been through it.
We need to take the initiative.

Instead of waiting to be interviewed and omitted, we need to prepare the appropriate background information (including photos) beforehand and have it ready.
Any interview then becomes frosting.

Trying to explain what we do and still give contectual credit to all the other kiting disciplines, will confuse the lay-people (non-kiters).
Let's accept that first and build our solution from that perspective.

Brief history of traction (1st recorded kite traction in North America?
Brief history of the event.
Invitation to spectate (most just want to watch. The flyers know to get their kites out)

Most of the little details we all love (models, tires, tricks) are only of interest to us. Keep It Simple S*****.


Safen Up! Buggy On!

"I am often wrong, but never in doubt."

the coreylama

Quote:

Originally posted by coreykite Instead of waiting to be interviewed and omitted, we need to prepare the appropriate background information (including photos) beforehand and have it ready. Any interview then becomes frosting.

You have a valid point Corey, and we considered it beforehand. But there are extenuating circumstances that shouldn't be discussed here. We'll talk sometime.

Spence, thanks for taking the time to talk to the paper. I liked the article.

Happy Birthday Biff!