There has been uproar within the sale posting and the rule of 2.1 came up.
In my post I stated that I was going to remove myself from the forum based on this one topic as well as Tridude would do the same.

Thank you for the kind emails and u2u messages. It was not intent to create chaos for others nor ego boosts me to stay and be apart of PKF. I just had enough of being bashed for what I was offering and instead turned into capital gain. I apologize if you have lost kite sales from your F-Arcs and Phantoms because of my posting.

A little about me; many of you have known me throughout my 15 years of kiting have seen me grow. My first job was a kite shop in downtown Vancouver where I spend my time learning the trade and flying on the weekend sport kites on weekend. I opened my own warehouse, back in 1999 and ran a kite distribution for the longest time and continuing until today. Now my focus has changed to working for VLOP / PL and also being a team rider for them.

I have always been about kites, and it’s more than a passion but a way of life for me. I earn very little money from kites, hence my regular full time job at YVR Airport as a manager in airline catering. So it’s really not the money I think of.

I have decided not to remove myself from the forum, because it only shows that I will let one person who hides behind another username to bash/complain. If you have issues its better that you email or private message me. I’m always around to listen to issues, being in kites is about community and but also a service too. I only hope that the admin(s) will not allow multi usernames going forward. And I truly wish that the person hiding behind a username would come forth.

Going forward Ill provides you some background; I really enjoy PKF more than the other forums that I belong too. It’s more like family because it’s an American and Canadian thing and I get to see most of you throughout the seasons. There is a sense that we belong together like brothers and sisters and sometimes we don’t agree but for the most part we do. Unlike other forums there are always a debate about brand vs brand, type vs. type, which is rarely found here. I will say that one shouldn’t shy from LEI kites but to try and embrace it. The key would is kite no matter the brand or type. Some kites perform better than others for each application, and each kite has its own strengths and weakness like anything in this world, nothing is perfect.

We each have different riding styles, I for one enjoy racing and would like nothing better to further the sport like Europe has. If you go on most Europe forums, they talk more about the sport than people or brands. They seem to understand that we need all stick together and be strong as one. All the bashing seems to take place on the racecourse, once the race is over, its one big happy family again.

As you may or may not know I’m in the running for NAPKA President, this was something I truly could not take on however I see there is a future to have a governing body for the sport like the rest of the world does. I only want to see the future of the sport grow. I have no idea where I’m going to start and how quickly Ill be moving things in the direction to take on first. Good thing there is a strong group of like-minded individuals on the committee for extra support. I know that we have the support from euro pilots to help us grow. If we follow in their footsteps we can achieve a greater community, and its not just about racing anymore. It’s about kiting as a whole and everyone working together to open up new spaces and have more kiting events around Canada and USA. I will also continue to share my experience from past and current trips from Europe and World Cup to further us.

Lastly, everything I get from kiting I put back into kiting as much as possible. I’m not sitting around counting my earnings and planning my next big screen TV or family vacation. I probably have the least amount of kites over anyone even as a sponsored team rider. I don’t have kites coming out of the closet or some much gear I don’t know what do with. My quiver only consists of a set of Vapors and my XXtreme buggy.
There is a lot of behind the scene stuff that goes on as well, like bring euro pilots to NABX and sending various goodies around to various events, this all cost money that I have no issues with as long as it goes towards the community.

Just remember, we’re family all with a kiting passion. I enjoy the days when I get to tell Kitebuggy Mama “hey did you hear about “insert username”, on PKF.”

Thanks for reading this and I hope I’ve opened the light …

Quote:

Originally posted by ripsessionkites I have always been about kites

Ne'er a true word spoken

Well Said Rip:bigok:

Quote:

Originally posted by ripsessionkites I have always been about kites,

and RedBull!!:P

Quote:

Originally posted by csa_deadon Quote: Originally posted by ripsessionkites I have always been about kites, and RedBull!!:P

and pink skirt distribution for some of us....

well said RIP !!!!!

Bravo very well said...

well done Rip..

Don't go! We love you man! Yes, folks are entitled to their opinion but some just need to get a life. Glad your not letting the offended rule our little PKF country! We have enough of that in our whiney government already. PKF is one place were decency and common sense still rules.

Glad you are staying. A good decision, methinks.

pshhh screw being the president, you are the GODFATHER! You really got me going in this sport along with many others. This is my family, and i'm so glad to be a part of it with your Rip! You have been carrying this industry on your shoulders to north america, thankyou, and we are proud of you man

Glad yer sticking around little buddy. I just hope we can meet sometime at one of the east coast events...

Rip dont be slam'n big screen tv's , we just got our first and I'm now able to see every nook and cranny on the face of those Canadian ice road truckers. And vacations... that hurts... NABX is on the horizon and I'm sure there are many PKF members who either so happy or so sad they cant see straight.
And my kid has a pink skirt if you had left who would deem him worthy!
WELCOME BACK

Good move Ricky. Don't let a few, especially those hiding behind an alias dictate your future. You saw the support you got from your "family". Ride with that.

People who are passionate enough about kiting to make it their livelyhood are valuable members (often pillars) of the community. That is evident on this forum. However, I have seen this same group attacked on other kite forums due to perceived unfair competition.

Would it be helpful (don't know if it's OK or not) to have a commercial topic? PSKA had similar problems and started a commercial section that has smoothed out most of the angst. http://pskite.org/ Unfortunately, I find that the dealers are still hesitant to participate in the discussions and the forum has suffered. I hope PKF can resolve this before loosing these folks. If anything, I believe they deserve more support.

Also, in censoring commercial input, the forum is removing valuable info that most would likely want to have.

Great post rip. Three thumbs up to you and much much more.

I say good by ... hasta la vista baby ... hit the road ... don't let the door hit you in the a$$ on the way out ... adios ... een mooie dag verder ... or maybe something you understand more better. it ok I know English es new speaking for you 再见 :moon:

Edit: Dino and I were typing at the same time and I was responding to Rip.

But Dino always gives me reason to smile....

Its ok Angus I know you were agreeing with me ... you don't have to hold up the nice guy image forever ;-)

I have a better idea for you little ripper ricky just start a new user name and sale them as a individual. Since no one has stated a rule about multiple usernames :puzzled:

darn rights your sticS-P-A-M-L-I-N-K-n around ?
no kidd'n not to let some (? expletive ?) run you off.
later dude...:bigok:

Glad you are sticking around! Valuable people like your self are the reason this sport is growing here the way it is! So proud to be part of the PKF family! Hope to meet you in the spring! Keep on keepin on!

Quote:

Originally posted by acampbell Edit: Dino and I were typing at the same time and I was responding to Rip. But Dino always gives me reason to smile....

Wow, the perfect cover. Just jump right on the Dino bandwagon and then blame it on post timing!

Glad you are staying on the forum. I think you do a lot of good in passing on information and deals that otherwise would only be available locally. You know how it goes Rip, Dammed if you do and dammed if you don't.
Sorry to hear you will not be the President of NAPKA in 2011. We were looking forward to working for you and getting your spin on our sport. Is there anyway we can change your mind?
By the way who gets beat up on Christmas Boxing Day?:>}

Quote:

Originally posted by jellis Glad you are staying on the forum. I think you do a lot of good in passing on information and deals that otherwise would only be available locally. You know how it goes Rip, Dammed if you do and dammed if you don't. Sorry to hear you will not be the President of NAPKA in 2011. We were looking forward to working for you and getting your spin on our sport. Is there anyway we can change your mind?

maybe my essay was a little long, but im up for the position. i merely stated that i dont have a lot of time to devote to it but i will do my best and give it my all.

Ricardo for President ... thats a scary thought. hehehe. Dino for President would be twice as bad.

I'm a little late becouse I have to work:bird:
I'm glad your are staying. THis was a huge dumb ass issue in the first place. Like I said before. Only one person said you were wrong. And it must have been a jelliusy(sp) issue. So lets all let it go and enjoy the cold weather. Except you jerks down south where it is not tounge sticking to poles cold.
Just kidding I even like you guys!

Dang :ticking:

I thought I found an easy way to keep the value of my Farc and Cquads up.

You don't give up easy little Buddy.

Lets see ...... plan B 100 Farcs for $1000 . I can corner the market !

Plan C ..... I have to kill you !

:ticking:

P.S. I think that NAPKA also includes Mexico?

Quote:

Originally posted by Bladerunner Dang :ticking: I thought I found an easy way to keep the value of my Farc and Cquads up. You don't give up easy little Buddy. Lets see ...... plan B 100 Farcs for $1000 . I can corner the market ! Plan C ..... I have to kill you ! :ticking: P.S. I think that NAPKA also includes Mexico?

That's a serious volume discount! Blade after you buy them, I"ll double your money on 1 of each size.

Hey Roc it wasn't me. If anything I should be in trouble also for some of my posts, sorry.

I misunderstood your post Ricardo. We thank you for stepping up and leading NAPKA in 2011. The name of the game is delegation. We are ready to help you with what ever you need.

Quote:

Originally posted by BeamerBob Quote: Originally posted by Bladerunner Lets see ...... plan B 100 Farcs for $1000 . I can corner the market ! Plan C ..... I have to kill you ! :ticking: That's a serious volume discount! Blade after you buy them, I"ll double your money on 1 of each size.

OOPS! I WISH !
I really am off today. Must have been the Christmas lunch !

i think it was a (sp) .. spelling mistake

Jealous / Jealously