This is a response to a discussion that came up on the Wildwood buggy bash safety thread that I feel need it own. The original thread can be found here:

http://www.powerkiteforum.com/viewthread.php?tid=15153


Having a sanctioned event is a real win in my book, especially with how large the bash has become. I feel that it has outgrown the “friendly weekend kiter meet-up at the beach” stage and needs to need to go to the next level. By this I mean an event that is approved and permit issued by the authorities. Insurance is something that authorities usually require to issue permits. This is a good thing since having insurance protects the event, the pilots, and the organizers. This is taking place on a potentially crowded beach with the general public and many wind powered vehicles in close quarters, and some of the vehicles are piloted by novices. The chance for a mishap is higher than I would feel comfortable with. Not to be the pessimist, but if an accident occurs between us and a member of the general public the consequences could be catastrophic

Finding affordable insurance is not an easy task. I feel that NAPKA can certainly help with insurance. It seams like the best fit for us, well at least for kiters, I don't know about the landsailers. (I really don’t know of any other viable options, if anyone does please speak up). It would require all participants be members, and some may be reluctant to join. The current cost is $40/year, but it may come down in future years if the pool of members grows (it is currently in the 60's). My understanding of the details is poor; could someone from NAPKA (Brad?) please fill us in. I also see this as great opportunity for NAPKA to grow their membership; this is something that they have struggled with for some time.

Please share any ideas you may have on this issue. I am sure the event organizers want to know were we stand as they decide the bash’s next step.

NAPKA growing in membership will help the kiting community in total, members and non-members alike.(of course, the more members the better!) By showing a growing membership in an organization that has dedicated itself to the promotion of safety in this potentially hazardous sport, municipalities will see that we as a community have taken responsibility for ourselves and others affected by our strange affliction. BTW, can you select your own buggy # ?

We are working on the insurance issue for blokarts in Washington State at this time. The same type of thing that NAPKA has done.
Hope to have something in place soon, u2u me and I can let you know whats what.

I sent an email to Brad two days ago about the details to make this event NAPKA recognized. I am still awaiting his response.I agree totally that the event has become more than just a get together.

Thank you Dan for starting a new thread, I very much feel it needs to be an official event that NAPKA could be key player.

You folks make good sense. This is exactly the kind of thing that NAPKA should be able to assist with. A chance for NAPKA to establish itself as a unified body for North America. There is power in numbers. That power should make it easier and easier for us to hold events and open locations. Easier and less expensive to continue keeping isnured.

NAPKA has worked very hard to open itself to all WPV . They did a great job expanding to include more than just buggies and I'm confident we will be able to include the land sailors as well if we work toward it !

WBB is a success on it's own. WBB can help NAPKA greatly by expanding #'s . NAPKA can help WBB by having established insurance to make going " legit " with governing bodies a reasonable request.

A WIN, WIN in my books !

Would I be correct in assuming that this October's bash would be unchanged and the thoughts of being a sanctioned event would be for the coming bashes in 2011?

Just wondering:dunno:

Right you are Dean. Too late to try and get it sanctioned for the October bash. Just trying to get a jump on next year!

So I went to the NAPKA website, filled out the membership form, printed and signed the waiver, e-mailed same back to NAPKA, paid dues via paypal. How long to see if my pilot# is accepted, or do I just assume as no one has it already, it will be mine?

Woo Hoo! Got my confirmation from NAPKA!

If the number you request is NOT in list of numbers shown on the registration form, the odds are pretty good that you'll get that number. If there's some kind of problem with the number you chose, we'll email you explaining the problem and give you some choices of a number.

Glad to see that you are reading a bit of this thread Morrie. I just got my email from Brad and will try and post up the details about making this a sanctioned event. The pros and cons!

I just tried to send my photo and waiver to membership@napka.org and got back that bbrex's email address (that it apparently forwards to) failed...??

Hello everyone,

Thank you for considering NAPKA for sanctioning your event, I have heard nothing but good things about it. I too think it could be a win / win for both groups but only if everyone agreed to it. You would not necessarily have to have a permit from your local govt. to be a sanctioned event. Only NAPKA pilots could participate, only buggies, land / ATB boards, kite skates and dirt surfers could be used. Pilots would be required to visibly wear their pilot number on the pilot’s front and back when using a land / ATB board, kite skates and Dirtsurfers, and only on each side of a buggy. But if you do not have a permit that only names NAPKA sanctioned pilots how do you police any person(s) that do not wish to become members, certainly a grey area concerning any incident between pilots if they are not members and our insurance. Also, once you go to your local government and begin talks about permits etc. there might be costs and law enforcement issues you need to deal with. But on the other hand being proactive in showing your responsibility, organization and the ability to procure liability insurance for the land owner (my guess the state) to provide a buffer between them and any incidence that may occur goes a long ways also. We would help you in any way possible within our means.

Right now with those of you that organize this event if something were to happen you would be the ones responsible, that is a big liability. Finding affordable insurance for this type of event is impossible unless you are part of an organization with a proven track record, a code of conduct and rules to govern their participants. It has taken several years and immense work by some really dedicated people, who are trying to grow these wind powered sports in a responsible way.

If it were to be a sanctioned event and you got permits from your local government the permits could not include landsailors, at this time under NAPKA. So it then could lead to a problem between you/landsailors and govt. as to if landsailors would be permitted to use the same stretch of beach? A slippery slope.
Please contact me at bbrex@bellsouth.net to discuss how you wish to proceed.

Best Regards
Brad Rex
President North American Power Kiting Association (NAPKA)
US44

Quote:

Originally posted by Maven454 I just tried to send my photo and waiver to membership@napka.org and got back that bbrex's email address (that it apparently forwards to) failed...??

The server refused to accept your photo... sorry pal.

Way to go Bob snagging the 57 I see.

Thanks Brad for posting up!

Ditto Bob!

I was afraid there was a catch 22 in there somewhere. NAPKA as an organization needs to grow to encompass 'other' wind powered sports (i.e.blokarting). In order to grow NAPKA and the sport, events are needed to showcase the sport. If only registered pilots are allowed to paticipate, where is there provision for training interested parties not yet registered? In an area where the nearest registered pilot is over 100 miles away makes for a very lonely event! Also,I guess snowkite events will not fall under NAPKA's purview? Being a kite powered sport maybe it should. Has this ever been discussed? I spent some time at the NAPKA site, but found no mention of snowkiting. These questions probably would be better asked on the NAPKA forum, but it doesn't look like that forum gets much traffic.

The blokarts will not be included in the WDV with NAPKA, blokarts are not KITE related. Thats why we are working on “Pacific N.W. Blokart Association” and making it like NAPKA, so we can do the same activities the same way.
Snow kiting is not real big on the west coast, not to say it isn't, there are a few, but not many buggiers snow kite also. Some of us do, but long drives, and few spots, with hit and miss weather puts the damper on the activity.
Start another post with NAPKA in the header and see who answers.

Quote:

Originally posted by bigkid The blokarts will not be included in the WDV with NAPKA, blokarts are not KITE related. Thats why we are working on “Pacific N.W. Blokart Association” and making it like NAPKA, so we can do the same activities the same way. Snow kiting is not real big on the west coast, not to say it isn't, there are a few, but not many buggiers snow kite also. Some of us do, but long drives, and few spots, with hit and miss weather puts the damper on the activity. Start another post with NAPKA in the header and see who answers.

you should include blokarts, its not kite "wind" is the key word.

there are lots of snow kiters around, what else are you going to do during the winter months. hehehe

NAPKA should be the governing body for wind sports. we work better in numbers but we can have divisions as well. Board of Directors for the Land Sailing side and same of the Kite Side.

all events thats happen should include NAPKA in some way, insurance, setup cost, etc etc

I honestly can understand not having blokarts in it. I wouldn't expect, say, paragliders in it either. But Snowkiting definitely needs to be in NAPKA.

I'd be game for the napka sanction at WBB, but what I would like to see is someway to register on site (meaning at WBB). Is there some way we can achieve that? So that people can show up, and sign-up at the same time? If we can pull that off, then I am all for it. I also think you will get much better participation if that is the case. Just my thought on the matter...

Blokarts are covered in the insurance policy at JIBE (and are welcome) and that is the same insurance agency that NAPKA uses. In fact what makes them affordable is that the policies are actually underwritten with the buying power of skate parks and their trade association's existing group policy. The common element to all is non-motorized wheeled vehicles (not wind). But it may be sensible to organize Blokarts separately for other reasons.

Thank you for providing me that information today Angus, I spoke with Mr. O'Connor this afternoon and he will be in touch with me within the next couple of days. This will provide a great avenue to go down so we may include the Blokarts as mentioned.

I am all for a solution that would encompass everyone, especially if would allow us buggiers with tandems and two-seaters to give rides. Rides are a great way to build good will with the general public and we can always use some good will.

Wouldn't be the same without Dean's Limo Service, that is for sure!

The NORTH AMERICAN BLOKART SAILING ASSOCIATION has been incorporated and is almost ready to sign up members. That should take place in the next week or two after the PayPal account is setup.
The organization will have a liability policy starting in 2011, the insurance in only sold on a calendar year basis. So rather than pay for 2 or 3 month with no events scheduled we will wait until 2011. For $50.00 a event will be able to get a certificate of insurance to cover the event of sailing site. people would have to be members of NABSA and register for the event. Anon member would pay additional fee to become a temporary member for the event. Sail numbers will be issued to members. Information will be on line shortly.
http://www.nabsa.org/
Fran Gramkowski ----president@nabsa.org
North American Blokart Sailing Championships March 24 -- 30, 2011 Ivanpah Dry Lake

Fran

Will NABSA be for land sailors only?

Will or could its future event insurance also cover kite powered vehicles?

NABSA will be for Blokart Landsailors only.

The Insurance will only cover Blokart sailing events or sailing sites. It a a Regatta Liability Insurance Policy

Fran

Thanks for the update Fran. Glad to see this coming together for the Land Sailing community!

This is what I was afraid of. Limiting only to blokarts, those of us that have home builts or Scirrocos or any other make are leftout.
Brad