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sukhdev
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« on: July 03, 2003, 11:50:00 AM » |
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Ok guys, need some thoughts/feedback/suggestions.
Firstly I'd like to make clear this is an attempt at being constructive so please don't put any toxic emotions here..no bashing of any kind.
Do we need a new organization to represent us?
Is everyone aware of what BSAS does?
Does BSAS need to be revamped?
My concerns arise from the fact that we are fragmented over 3 clubs (PA, SAFYC-Safra, PastaF)not forgetting the "free" guys who sail off Changi & car parks etc. There seems to be no collective voice (at least to me) that pulls everyone together. I have great regard for the effort put into running the Singapore Open etc but should we do more? Get involved more? Have club representation in the BSAS? Scrap the BSAS and set up something new?
These thoughts came out of attempts by Thye and me to get some events going : its obvious everything is so club oriented that we can't actually pull together resources easily across the clubs even when there is sponsorship available etc. Also, when there are issues such as the cabana demolishing at PastaF, increase in dues at Safra/SAFYC, we need to be able to talk as a collective voice to the relevant parties (URA in the PastaF case, SAFYC in the safra case). As it is now the members in each individual club have to fend for themselves, largely unsuccesfully, against their interests.
Or am I just being nuts here given that Baiis have a genetic predisposition to create trouble (joke).
My dream? One organization to represent all of us (IMCO,Formula, slalom freaks,freestyle, Uni/School clubs, Ladies). One voice to push/rant/beg/persuade whenever appropriate. A common teaching scheme across the clubs. Peace on earth and goodwill to all men (this is a hard one i know). One family (Singapore windsurfing) with 3 homes, everyone at home anywhere they go to.
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<SCH>
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« Reply #1 on: July 03, 2003, 01:15:00 PM » |
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Sukhdev, I totally agree with your thoughts and would be happy to contribute wherever I can.
The main problem I see is not so much a club and member issue; it is more an equipment supplier issue. Equipment supplier are competitors in nature and they develop their own loyal clienteles who windsurf. The online debates over the Gaastra distribution rights is a good example of members of one club getting upset with another just because of loyalty to the equipment suppliers.
This has gone back a long way. I remember the year when I bought a Mistral Screamer and had to "steal" it into the club.
My wish is for all these to end so that Windsurfing can be fun again.
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sukhdev
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« Reply #2 on: July 03, 2003, 03:27:00 PM » |
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SCH, I think the issue goes beyond that. Somehow the "association" side of the sport seems focussed purely on the Singapore Open and the older racing classes. My contention is that general representation of the interests of windsurfers at large (non racers etc) doesnt exist and this is really not related to suppliers in any way.
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<JW>
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« Reply #3 on: July 03, 2003, 04:51:00 PM » |
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Maybe we are a society built on apathy and used to paternalistic control. Sukdev I applaud your raising such a "political" issue but I guess it speaks volume about Singaporeans that it takes a Malaysian living in Singapore to stand up and speak his mind (you still have MY11 as your sail number so I guess you are still Malaysian rite?).
I guess the ball is in the BSAS court now - how about an open dialogue guys? Our ministers like the open dialogue session maybe we should have one for Singapore windsurfers.
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<Cheh>
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« Reply #4 on: July 04, 2003, 10:24:00 AM » |
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I heard Pasta Fresca storage for board going to increase by $10 more from August. So what can we do about it?
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<DPS>
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« Reply #5 on: July 04, 2003, 02:48:00 PM » |
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Sukhdev, why not you run for BSAS presidency? ...... Your ideas always so good.
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<SCH>
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« Reply #6 on: July 04, 2003, 03:40:00 PM » |
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Yep, the "association" side of the sport definitely needs some work too. I also have the impression that the problem is similar to what the other sports are facing; having associations led by non-participants or people who have lost a passion for the sport.
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sukhdev
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« Reply #7 on: July 04, 2003, 07:16:00 PM » |
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DPS, I'm guilty of being one of the sailors who didnt pay much attention to BSAS and yes I would like to take a more active role. I guess it came to mind that we lack a vehicle to represent all of us (sailors, racers and even the ones involved in the business end of it). BSAS has been keeping some things alive despite quite difficult circumstances, eg the effort put into the events is very commendable. Its also the same core group of people who have soldiered on for a long time and their contribution should be recognized. But, since the press is so full of efforts to "remake" Singapore, maybe we need to start "remaking" our own sport here too.
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<DPS>
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« Reply #8 on: July 04, 2003, 08:37:00 PM » |
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Better still, why not you run for Singapore Sailing Federation President?? SSF is the NSA responsible for growing windsurfing. you could do a better job i'm sure. bsas is not the source to look for answers, SSF is.
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<JW>
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« Reply #9 on: July 04, 2003, 11:56:00 PM » |
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DPS thats not whats wrong. Whats wrong is apathy. Like when we get screwed again and again in Pasta Fresca and only one person bother to write in to URA to protest the cabana removal. Maybe we get the kind of associations and clubs we deserve?
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thye
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« Reply #10 on: July 05, 2003, 01:02:00 PM » |
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SSF have taken a bold step by pushing Windsurfing into pri-school and taking on kids from SANA. There is some plans to remake "Windsurfing" and hopefully something comes out. What I think that's lacking is an enviorment or path that guide the young / new sailors if they choose to stay on Windsurfing, (before they get confuse thinking that planning fast is the only objective and lost the disciple to train hard on other areas) without the clubs losing sight of promoting this sport as a whole.
The complication may be that we have long, short and formula board with each requiring different ability. Most competitive sailors move on to formula to continue their racing interest, put be make aware that those few good sailors all gain their racing experience, knowlwdge and ability from longboard "or shall we say put in the hardwork".
We really need to get everyone togather if we were to see this sport grow back.
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<what to do>
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« Reply #11 on: July 05, 2003, 05:57:00 PM » |
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Cheh
What can you do about it. Pay up the extra or leave. If everyone left in protest how could he continue? I thought the lease calls for a windsurf club with a F&B outlet
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<cheh>
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« Reply #12 on: July 05, 2003, 06:04:00 PM » |
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I think it is time we light the fire under Sports Council backside. Petition and press and give them hell. Sukdev is right you know we got no voice at all, all kena slaughter like sheep all the time. So how, can someone get a meeting or petition or something going? SCH? SS? somebody???
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<NE MonSoON>
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« Reply #13 on: July 06, 2003, 01:01:00 AM » |
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quote:
Originally posted by thye:
SSF have taken a bold step by pushing Windsurfing into pri-school and taking on kids from SANA. There is some plans to remake "Windsurfing" and hopefully something comes out. What I think that's lacking is an enviorment or path that guide the young / new sailors if they choose to stay on Windsurfing, (before they get confuse thinking that planning fast is the only objective and lost the disciple to train hard on other areas) without the clubs losing sight of promoting this sport as a whole.
The complication may be that we have long, short and formula board with each requiring different ability. Most competitive sailors move on to formula to continue their racing interest, put be make aware that those few good sailors all gain their racing experience, knowlwdge and ability from longboard "or shall we say put in the hardwork".
We really need to get everyone togather if we were to see this sport grow back.
SSF did a good job. Someone who deserved commendable is KimYeow, he really pushes hard for the Youth Team to kick started. But again, SSF is always a Black Sheep in NSC, thus all the goodies are given to the BathTubs. With his solo manpower + a few of the Old Birds' power, they are really limited to certain resources.
It would be good that BSAS + SSF + All the Clubs merge together and pool their resources together to promote Windsurfing. |
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sukhdev
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« Reply #14 on: July 06, 2003, 08:22:00 AM » |
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NE Monsoon, can't agree more, that bunch of youngsters has been a sole beacon and Kim Yeow deserves praise for holding them together.
So we got BSAS, SSF, PastaF, PAECSC, SAFRA & at the business end Bluefinz, CW, TWS. How do we pull all these together? Any ideas?
One thing becomes clear, everyone of these contributes in some way, so how do we get 1+1=3?
Most importantly what are the priorities? I'll suggest some:
- representation of all windsurfers to relevant parties (Sports Council, SSF, various Ministries etc, potential sponsors).
- promotion and teaching of windsurfing across all clubs,YCs in Singapore
- ensure broader formal membership by making a organization which is more relevant for the average windsurfer (or revamping an existing one).
3 seems alot already, any others? which matters most or which should be prioritised to be done first?
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