![]() |
IBA Open Letter |
Post Reply ![]() |
Author | |
Lee Stone ![]() Senior Member ![]() ![]() Joined: 01/Aug/2007 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 121 |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posted: 05/Feb/2015 at 16:46 |
February 5, 2015 Open Letter to All Footers Dear Fellow Footers, I’m writing this open letter in an attempt to clear the air
and calm the anxiety surrounding recent events in the sport. The IBA was formed to grow the sport of
barefoot water-skiing. Our formation
surprised some people, but should not have been unexpected by the WBCouncil. Skiers stated they would not ski in another Barefoot World
Championships if things did not change and the IBA was formed in part due to
these concerns. And yes, there was a
survey sent out under our letterhead to determine how many skiers supported a
change that could have limited some skiers’ participation in some events. We recognized this was a mistake and made it
clear that skiers may ski in any events they would like. The IBA will not restrict any skier’s participation,
nor will we compel any skier’s participation.
However, the WBCouncil should not count on these skiers participating
under the current format. We still plan
on working with the WBCouncil, through technology improvements and event
formats. Despite being blamed for issues
discussed below. When Heller Farms became aware of the skiers who would not
attend the 2016 Championships, compounded with their own concerns with the
contract language for the event, they looked for a plan B. The IBA was a natural alternative. At that time, the IBA and Heller Farms agreed
an IWWF sanctioned World Championships with a different format was the best
outcome. Acknowledging concerns expressed from the barefooting
community, the IBA agreed to work with the WBCouncil to develop a format that
would be acceptable to the 40+ skiers who responded to the survey mentioned
above while Heller Farms negotiated with the WBCouncil for the contract for the
event. The format does not appear to
have been accepted and apparently there are still issues with the contract
negotiations. The IBA has not had any input into the decisions of the Pan
Am Council or the election of their representatives. We decided early on that we could not produce
the results we want and participate in regional councils or the WBCouncil. Yes, there are IBA members who wear many hats
and work in many functions in the sport; at Heller Farms and the Pan Am
Council. With this clearly understood,
the IBA has not attempted to determine the outcomes of anything except a format
for the World Championships. I hope this helps to clear the air and takes the IBA out of
the blame for these events. These events
will work themselves out. If someone has
questions, I can be reached at lee.stone@barefootassociation.org. Sincerely, Lee Stone, CEO, IBA
|
|
I have an excuse....I'm from Texas!
|
|
![]() |
|
Foot ![]() Moderator Group ![]() ![]() WBC Member Joined: 27/Jul/2007 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 1824 |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
A letter from Evert Aartsen
Hi Foot I did a little counting in the standing list and came to a shocking conclusion. If we take mens and womens world standings overall. and we compare 2012 to 2014 we get the following: E&A men +3 women +10 total increase +13. Australia men +32 women -4 total increase +28 USA men -55 women -4 total decrease -59. Total amount of open men and women on the standing list at 2012 433 Total amount of open men and women on the standing list at 2014 421 Total decrease from 2012 to 2014 is 12 skiers. If
we take in consideration that the States lost 59 skiers the rest of the
World has seen an increase of 47 skiers that is more then 10% growth in
2 years. In
other words barefoot is not doing as bad as we all thought it was,
except we have a rotten apple and its a big one It is called the USA. And
now the same guys in charge of the USA (who managed to get the USA to
decline by more then 30% while the rest of the world is growing) are in
Charge of IBA and want to control world barefoot. These are scary numbers. Evert |
|
Region AA Rules...It's hard to be humble when you're this good
|
|
![]() |
|
Foot ![]() Moderator Group ![]() ![]() WBC Member Joined: 27/Jul/2007 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 1824 |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The WBC, the IBA . Our worries and ideas. We are extremely worried about the current development in our sport. The current development with the IBA challenging the WBC is in our opinion a huge risk for barefoot. We are a small sport and the last thing we want is split our sport up in two camps, this could easily mean the end of our organized barefoot water-skiing. We need to realise what the soul of barefoot is (at least in our opinion). The current changes with a new association (the
International Barefoot Association) IBA being founded are a risk and an
opportunity at the same-time. In our opinion there is no reason what
so ever to try and overthrow the WBC and let the IBA take over as was
the initial plan. This would without a doubt be the worst scenario
possible in Barefoot and very likely split our sport in two camps.
Barefoot would lose its connection with all national and international
sports associations as the IBA would not be recognised by anybody and
the WBC would be reduced too much for barefoot to be taken seriously
(its already on the edge). Lets first have a look at what this elite group is not happy about: We
believe that going our own way without the WBC and IWWF will be suicide
for barefoot as the Barefoot waterski World Championships are owned by
IWWF and can only be used by organizations associated with them. This
would mean that right away we would lose the right to organize a world
championship, not to speak of the tens of thousands of Euro’s (combined)
lots of national federations receive through their national sports
associations and Olympic committees that would be lost for our sport. Here is how we believe International barefoot can be structured. Resposibility of the WBC: Rule’s Responsibility of the IBA Pro World cup format There should in this set up be one person that is on the board of both WBC and the IBA. This way there is a direct communication line between the two organizations. This way we can have the best of both Worlds. We keep our lifestyle Worlds as we know it, which will keep our barefoot family together. At the same-time we get more professional and commercial events that will enable our elite athletes to show case their skills with more exposure and overtime generate income through competing. We really hope both the IBA and the WBC leave pride and personal feelings out of the way and consider this structure. We all have the same passion lets not loose the common interest out of sight. Best regards from two guys with a serious foot fetish, Kenny and Evert |
|
Region AA Rules...It's hard to be humble when you're this good
|
|
![]() |
|
Geoff Davis ![]() Senior Member ![]() ![]() Pres Austrlain Barefoot Culb Joined: 24/Jul/2007 Location: Australia Status: Offline Points: 176 |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
I think you can sign many many more names after Ken and Everts letter. Well more than the 40 skiers who apparently won't go to the Worlds as you state.
My message to those 40 odd skiers is very simple. Don't come. You're not needed. The sport will live well past your arrogance.
Edited by Geoff Davis - 06/Feb/2015 at 15:00 |
|
The West is where it is won!
|
|
![]() |
Post Reply ![]() |
|
Tweet
|
Forum Jump | Forum Permissions ![]() You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot create polls in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum |