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The Future of Bay Area Kiteboarding Part II

Posted: Tue Jul 16, 2013 3:56 pm
by OliverG
Hello all,

I had brought up this topic last year as well (https://www.bayareakiteboarding.com/for ... =1&t=11125) and am revisiting it again this year.

It's been about ten years ago that I created this site to help the local kiteboarding community by fulfilling a need for something that did not yet exist and providing a means of sharing information, promoting safety, building community and discussing local access issues. It's been successful at doing that, has become one of the top forums and has likely been the single biggest resource here in the SF Bay Area to benefit and help the entire local kiteboarding community.

I've had great help from Kirk (WindMuch) as a co-admin who's helped administer the site, so I can't complain about the work load associated with the site, he's a gem for sure. As I mentioned last year, I never considered what an exit strategy would be, but as I did last year, I feel I've accomplished everything I set out to do with the site and more. I still enjoy kiteboarding, although work, family and other interests have reduced my participation both here and at the beach. In that vein, I feel like it's time to move on and find another owner and steward to bring the site forward in new ways while maintaining the content and intent of the site.

My hope is to find a buyer for the site to continue and move it forward for the future. It's become one the top domestic kiteboarding sites, serves as a great resource for many, so we will see what happens. If anyone is interested or has any inquires, PM me.

Re: The Future of Bay Area Kiteboarding Part II

Posted: Tue Oct 22, 2013 8:45 am
by OliverG
Hello all,

Some of you may have noticed a new message displayed if you enter the root level of the site (https://www.bayareakiteboarding.com) stating that the site is available to be acquired by someone who has the interest to carry the site into the future, grow it further, take it in a new direction or continue the site more or less the same as it's been. There have been a few interested parties after my last announcement in July but nothing solid to date.

It has been and continues to be an important resource for the kiteboarding community, but if no one has the motivation or interest to keep it going, grow it and move it into the future, with the benefit of some income from it as well, it seems it is not important enough.

I'm giving it a bit more time, but if nothing materializes by the holidays, the site will be taken down or locked and set to a read-only resource as the information contained within is invaluable to many - especially new kiters.

Re: The Future of Bay Area Kiteboarding Part II

Posted: Fri Nov 15, 2013 12:23 pm
by OliverG
Hi again,

To give everyone an update there have been a few interested parties (independent, non-shop/school) and I've met with a couple people, haven't had a chance to meet up with a few others but I've asked any parties with continued interest to follow up with an offer or proposal by the end of the month.

The parties seem well intentioned and have a desire to keep the site up and grow it further which I haven't really been able to make the time to do for a while but there is a lot of opportunity to do so in different ways (additional site promotion, expanded forum sections, FB page, Twitter feeds, apparel, etc.)

I appreciate everyone's support and participation over the last ten years however if nothing is forthcoming we will likely be going offline.

Re: The Future of Bay Area Kiteboarding Part II

Posted: Tue Nov 19, 2013 1:55 pm
by jwest21
Keeping my fingers crossed that something comes up that allows this forum to stay online. I can't imagine the next generation of local kiters coming up without the invaluable knowledge and resources this site provides. Certainly can't replace first-hand experience and meeting people at the beach, but BAK will be sorely missed.

But I would like to thank you Ollie for all the years of time, money, and experience you've put into this site. I can't imagine anyone having done a better job. Keep the stoke alive out on the water!

Re: The Future of Bay Area Kiteboarding Part II

Posted: Wed Nov 20, 2013 8:19 am
by jaxonholer
Thanks so much Ollie, I've learned so much on this site, this has been an invaluable resource and I really don't know what I will do without it! I hit this site every day and have done so for the past 5 years. I hope somebody can come along and keep this thing alive.

Thanks for being the driving force keeping the site up, I'm sure you put in countless hours keeping it going over the years. You did a great job!

Re: The Future of Bay Area Kiteboarding Part II

Posted: Wed Nov 27, 2013 8:15 am
by OliverG
Hi all, just to update you a bit, there are a couple prospects for the parties with pure intent and desire to see this invaluable resource continue so we'll know a bit more before long.

Thanks,
Ollie