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The rumor is that Boardsports called the cops to prevent a North demo from being held up the beach from the shack.

Now, Boardsports recently got blamed for supposedly putting people into the swimming area at Coyote, which turned out to be totally untrue.

So I'd like to know if it's true.

Personally, I don't mind seeing the cops if they're there to prevent break-ins, which has been happening. But if BS is trying to prevent competitors from being able to show off their products on the water at Alameda, then they are living up to their name in a different way than they probably want people to think about them.

I know a lot of people who have been looking forward to trying out the '08 Norths. And those of us who frequently kite at Alameda shouldn't be prevented from having the opportunity of looking at various brands and seeing talented team riders show their stuff at demos, regardless of the licensing situation that BS has. BS will create (and possibly has already created) at substantial amount of resentment from local riders if they did indeed do this. Really bad call.

I don't want to hear the BS about trying to control the crowd and safety and all that. The beach is big enough to handle it if everyone is professional about it.....and that's what we expect from you guys. Be professional. Communicate. Courtesy and all that.

Wishful thinking probably.......

Yeah, I was there, and it's true. I'm not sure about the politics involved but the cops showed up after the demo was pretty much over and I only saw them talking to Jeff.

Big Up! to the two non-kiter lawn mowers!!!

Called the cops to prevent a demo??? Now that is BS... Why not just hand the kites over to local North kiters and if peeps want to try it out, then they can borrow it from the local North kiters and not from the folks Demoing...

Maybe the shops control the type of products they carry, but to try to control the kites that people have exposure to is like living in the old USSR...

"Funk Dat" - Artist known as Saget (1994)

The community of kiters that call Alameda home are the collateral damage of these shop turf wars. The myopic intent on negatively impacting the competition results in the market getting marginalized by friendly fire. Members of the industry leave Alameda shaking their heads in disbelief.

Alameda is and will always be a beginnerís beach, and new riders stoke should be nurtured. Providing the opportunity to see the latest and greatest gear out there should be a staple of the annual cycle. The peanut gallery should be getting autographs and hobnobbing after oohhssÖ and aahhssÖ- for every demo team in the industry that makes it to the Bay area - Not left wondering why the cops have shown up.

THAT's a BUNCH of SUCK-A$$,
G.

I learned over there at Alameda and i've since moved south and mainly ride at 3rd now. I really liked riding at Alameda, but reading all this bull honky about shops not letting demos and other problems the recurring theme i keep hearing is Board Sports is either directly involved or partially involved in these issues. its sad every time i hear this bull "_______" (place your own phrase here)

Being a union member i say we all strike board sports.

Third has the same problem with Helm scaring off demos

it's really too bad, cuz I WANT to support local shops. If only these store owners had the stoke that almost every kiter I meet on the beach has, it would be one happy family. I can see it now.....North shop says to customer- "you really should try the Rev"......

rather than what we have now which sounds something like "i'm taking my ball and bat, and throwing your ass outta here"

Tony Soprano wrote:Third has the same problem with Helm scaring off demos

Actually, 3rd does not have the same problem. Anyone can demo kites as long as they go through the city. Helm does not prvent it, the Foster City is requiring proof of insurance because they don't want to be liable. I'm sure most kite company already have insurance and they just have to go show it to the city and get a permit.