Some do know some do not, but during the last bash, we almost got vacated from the beach. We kept it under wraps so as to not ruin anyones great weekend. But on Saturday, a member from the town offices from WW heard about our event and with all the equipment traffic on the beach, felt we shouldn't have been there in the first place. Joecat was called and asked about it and long story short, Joe had some back and forth phone calls with the guy and an eventually a ride to the beach with the gentleman and all was well again. Joe saved the weekend. Needless to say this member suggested that from here on out we should be permited and insured as to make the event "official" so we don't run into problems in the future. That being said I have been on the phone with the folks from WW and seeing what is needed to get things done.

It was only a matter of time the way that this little gathering, turned into what it is today. So from here on out, we will be permitted and insured to be on the beach and will be an offical Wildwood Event. i beilieve that it has been a long time coming and we are lucky to have not had any accidents to this point that would have ended this event prematurely.

I received the call today from the permits office to get the paper work started. Yes we will have to have insurance from here on out. Everyone that has even so little as a wedding on their beaches has to have a permit and insurance.(understandably)I am in the process of getting the proper paperwork done and inquiring about their insurance and figuring out what our options are as far as insurance. There had been some talk about making this a NAPKA sanctioned event, you know a traction kiting organization that insures traction kiting events, and there still is.I personally think it would be the best option, easier for everyone and for $40 a year you would be coverd at any event we have at WW, not to mention, helping other events in NA be able to have their events. There are other options, and I am still looking into them.

As all of you may or may not know, the WBB has always been free from registration and fees, but depending on how this goes that may change. This event has always been organized voluntarily and very loosely. The food at the BBQ has always been purchased through donations from the attendees and the hotel owners themselves. I would love to keep it this way.

I will keep you updated on what I find out. Let me know what you think about making this event a NAPKA event.

Rich, If we make this a NAPKA sponsored event, we could have our races during the event, saving on the travel for those who live far away. Kind of selfish of me, as I am already a member, and I have a long way to go to get there, but just sayin'! Kind of wondering about the sometimes impromptu meet-ups that occur during the winter, still need permits/insurance?

the impromtu, "non events" would not be affected to my knowledge, that would be like them throwing joggers off the beach I guess. They would not be more than a couple of people meeting which does not constitute an event. No one ever bothered us before for small gatherings,

The race events that I spoke of earlier, would be set up as NAPKA events and be permitted and insured..And I agree, the races could happen at the same time as the regular event if it was NAPKA, we would just have to be able to mark off a section of the beach, with a permit this would be possible.

Also would like to say that I have also already spoke with Fran. The blokart group is ready to do what is required to be able to participate in an official event. They already have an insurance set up to take care of their events. So no problem on that end.

This may be another option .....
https://www.sportsinsurance.com/

I need to bite my tongue in this! INCREDIBLE!!!

We need to support our organization, NAPKA.
It will only make your event better.

Yes sandflea, it is sort of Incredible. In WA at least it is part of the "highway" system, over here each municipality owns it's little piece of the beach. The thing is, we are not on the beach when anyone else is there, very little anyway. No kites, frisbees,or any other fun things are allowed on the beach during "tourist" season.(Mem. day to Labor day).

I agree we need to support NAPKA, (obviously), but I will try and leave it up to the attendee's as much as possible. But supporting NAPKA would be a great trade off for sure.

Wow I did not know of the issues in the spring and first things first a BIG THankyou to joe and the others involved to keep it happening in April it was the best winds I had ever flown in at wildwood would have been a shame to have. Been shut down to have been shut down. Thanks again
Going forward I think making it a napka event makes sense although I also think that charging a entry fee is okay also. I cannot see a $20 entry fee making that much difference on a person. Coming or not. Rich as the promoter I am amazed we have not had insurance to protect you and the other event folks. I believe that if it is a napka event every kiter is covered even if not a member so maybe a reduced entry fee for members and higher for non mbers to promote joining but I think making a person join napka to participate is not the answer
Just my .02
Scott
Ps jibe,nabx,and dbbb all have ins and entry fee but not. Napka
Pps sorry for typo on phone

I too want to thank all those who have made the bash happen over the years and especially Joe who helped avert a potential catastrophe at the last one.

I feel that it is about time that the bash grew up and became permitted and insured. Not having a permit left us vulnerable to being kicked off the beach at the whim of any official. It would be a shame to be shut down after most of us travel so far to kite and could spell the end of an event that I have become very fond of.

Insurance is a requirement for getting a permit and protects the participants in case of a mishap. It also protects the organizers from liability from a big list of things that can go wrong. They have been exposed to this risk over the previous bashes and it really is not fair to them.

Finding affordable insurance for the event is not an easy task. Making the bash a NAPKA event is an option. This would require all participants to become NAPKA members; I know that some may have reservations about joining. Rich is looking into others options and I am sure that we will hear more soon.

Looking forward to the bash, under 3 month to go.

Very much agreed on all of the comments. It's time we secure our future in Wildwood and I like the direction this is moving.

I have no problem paying a stipend to keep this event going. I still owe Rich $20.00 for the BBQ last spring. So whats a little more on the tab Just kidding I have every intention of paying what I owe. I'm just shocked I still remember I owe it!!
But seriously I think the idea of insurance through NAPKA is a great idea. And using this organizations name will also promote us and NAPKA in a positive direction.
Good job Joe, Rich, and any one else who is working so hard to keep this a great event.

Hey rich got a new phone and didn't get all my numbers call me please 2155196349 thanks

Hey Dave, you can be off the hook for the $20 for the BBQ, I did have your son right there with me cooking all night! :roll:

If some of you see or talk to others that go to the event, please ask them to post up and give some feedback. I have a couple of weeks to secure some sort of insurance. Whether it be an outside insurance company or we make it a NAPKA event, a decision will have to be made soon.

NAPKA cost $40 a year to join. This covers you for any NAPKA event in North America. Yeah some would only use it at WBB. The way I look at it, your $40 covers you for both WBB events. To me it's a no brainer. The Blokart guys already have an insurance policy so this will not be a problem for them.

I'm not familiar with NAPKA, but $40 seems like a little to pay for event and sport that we'e all a liitle (?) addicted too. Either way I'm in. I guess I need to read up on NAPKA a bit....

aronma there is a section here on PKF about NAPKA. Also a web site about it. Check it out and see if it is for you. As a member I'm a bit biased but give it a try.

A little clarification after reading my post:
1. NAPKA is a great org. and i think that all land kiters should support it and be members-while small - it does provide us with a national organization and the ability to look much more responsible/professional when permits or insurance is concerned.
2. WBB- I think that it should be a sanctioned event for Napka, i think it should have some napka volunteers at the registration table, BUT I think if a person wants to attend wbb and not be a member of NAPKA they should be able to, also beleive that even with the napka insurance that the promoters for their own protection should have a seperate event policy. This event policy, i have researched with my insurance associates, would run between $400 and $600 dollars. we have 50+ rider at the event @ $20 a rider that covers it and still makes a profit that can go to a local charity or support the school power kite club (Joe is the one has helped us so much in Wbb and this club is his effort) If Rich want to promote napka as well maybe reduce registration to 10.00 for napka members but i believe if people know the what the funds are for up front nobody minds paying.

Also I look forward to becoming a Napka member at the bash
scott

Quote:

Originally posted by flyguy0101 Also I look forward to becoming a Napka member at the bash scott

me too... :singing:

You two knuckle heads will be a great addition to NAPKA.

make that 3 knuckle heads

NAPKA also covers the organizer(s) of the event.(I just found out) Also a nice reason to go with NAPKA. :wink2:

Still working on this. Hope to know some sort of number for an outside ins. vs. NAPKA in the next week.

I am looking forward to joining any group that promotes our sport and the safety/insurance of it, while letting others get to experience it too. This is a small price to pay....actually if someone can guarantee that wind and beach conditions will be like they were at the last spring WW Bash...I would be willing to pay a Ben Franklin towards the cause. :wee:

I guess the count is up to four knuckle heads! :singing:

As a new member of this kiting community, and running all over the internet looking to be a more informed kiter. I had wondered why NAPKA didn’t have a stronger presence in the North East, seemed more like a NW organization.... I was very jealous of that….. I would think for my own future it would only help to be involved w/ a national organization.

I feel that if you have to go out and buy insurance , get everybody to sign waivers ... it may as well be NAPKA ? Streamlines things. Many attendees will already be members so won't need to waist your time with waivers etc.. The Club builds credit with every succesful event and help leave a legacy / easier path for others to follow.

I haven't been to WBB but hope to attend. From what I gather it has exploded in attendance. Like it or not it is going to cost some money to run it now.

I would far prefer paying a fee up front than see somebody having to pass a hat to cover costs. For that reason alone folks need to accept a fee will be needed to pull it off.

NAPKA was always intended to be North American. It just so happens that Thanks to Fletch it has been most effective in opening beaches in Washington. This is by no means it's focus just it's 1st real success. Growing it's presence out East can only be good IMHO?

from this k-nuckle for the convenience of signing up for NAPKA at the event.

I agree we need to support NAPKA, The trade off between private insurance and NAPKA just does not make much sence. Let me pay $20-$40 each event compaired to $40 for a year at NAPKA? One payment and i can go to any NAPKA event all year long. If JIBE was NAPKA that would also be covered and I could get 3 events for one low price?
:eureka: Just saying..


In "no way" a cut on all the great work Angus does!!!

I've been thinking about joining NAPKA. Haven't done it already just because of laziness but have no problem joining if the event ever requires me to.

The one issue that I see with it being a NAPKA event is what about non-kite people?
Usually when I go riding I bring one or more people with me to try to introduce them to the sport (I think WBB is a great experience for everyone that is considering joining the sport).
For some people the required fees and memberships could be a turnoff and would stop them from coming for 1-2 days to see what the sport is all about.

Martinipro:

Far be it from me to state policy but my understanding is that the event participants must be covered. This says nothing about people that are not participating in the WBB. We cannot police or shall I say stop people from flying on their own at the same time. This is not me saying come and just fly by yourself without NAPKA coverage but if I were looking at joining a sport that I was not sure of, this is what I would do first? (and did so for 1 year) But this is just me..
The coverage is for the person that you might hurt not for yourself, so with that in mind make a decision on how you want to proceed and what risk you want to take.
The choice is and always will be yours. I myself cannot risk my family or possessions to a lawsuit when I know I do not have to for just $40 a year.

Here is some info and resources about NAPKA. read over them, understand them and if you have questions, Please ask.

NAPKA resources

Like Chad said, it's not just a club, it's a club that has the benefit of having Liability Insurance to help those who cannot access a certain piece of land and traction kite without insurnace. The benefits out weigh any down side,(not that I know of one) about joing NAPKA. As far as someone coming with you to try things out, I can check on that with those that have had NAPKA events. I am also now working on another solution. Just trying to get things in order, not trying to stress any one on this.

But some other issues come up....

First...I assume this event insurance is for LIABILITY(as in ," I'm SUING YOU!") which also includes MEDICAL coverage..... ?

- as just put into this discussion:

The gray area is people(attendees or guests) who are at the event WITHOUT insurance. In the event of an accident with an 'uninsured'...what happens? Let's assume they have an accident and involves a tourist bystander walking by. Will that person be able to sue the town of Wildwood ? What if the uninsured attendee just hurts himself?

More to the point.... Will the officials cancel future events because we had an uninsured person participate who got hurt(even if no one brought a lawsuit, but because they COULD HAVE SUED... and the town was vulnerable?) Maybe...?

How about this situation :

If one is covered in a multi-person accident and the other is not...Does the Insurance of one cover both if the insured one is at fault (Assuming one attendee wants to sue another)? What if vice-versa?

Again the real goal is to allow WBB to happen. Most folks didn't think about insurance until the WBB was threatened to be shut down. If the officials didn't mandate the insurance for future events, most would still not have special insurance that covers the event-liability,if not also medical(though most folks with any health insurance have medical coverage- not all expenses may be covered). Again ..I think the insurance issue is LIABILITY(lawsuit). But this needs clarification(to me at least).

Will the town require(outside of a permit) any PROOF that the event and all participants are covered? Can or should we expect that we could 'police' and check all attendees? I don't think so...?

Also:

I don't know if any quotes have been gotten... but what is the cost for a PRIVATE insurer for the event( vs. NAPKA)? NAPKA likely the best option....but let's try and know ALL the facts and options if possible...

I don't have the answers but just hope to raise the right questions here.
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