I think there are lots of ways to do education and promote the hobby aside from a koi show. Having been involved in other sorts of clubs such as the North Florida Shell Club for instance(this is Florida after all) I know my mother for instance has given countless lectures in public school classes about the role of mollusks in their ecosystem and demonstrated differences between them within the phylogenetic order and amongst the classes such as gastropoda, bivalvia, etc. She did that as a club volunteer. Likewise, they participate in school science fairs providing awards from the club to environmentally related projects. Associates that put on the Siver Sailfish Derby at the West Palm Beach Fishing Club take inner city youth out fishing, create artificial reefs, and have tagged more billfish for NOAA and Wood's Hole research than any other organization.
Yet, having multiple koi show competitions on the same weekend between koi hobbyists that typically work together on the same shows in the same state showing their fish many competing for top awards seems somewhat different than pure education or promoting "the hobby."
I'm not trying to promote either North Florida or the Southern Koi Association over the other here, but my perception that "the hobby" was not enhanced in this situation is a perception that is reflected and shared by other non-SKA members believe me,...or not.
Plus, how many Cali clubs actually have their shows on the same weekend and is the spirit of comraderie enhanced by it? As the hobby is some 10X the size in Cali of any other state maybe it isn't such an issue there with so many vendors and koi and pond enthusiasts. Compare that to states that have only one club and consider the potential impact of having another at-large club have a show in that state the same weekend? Or if one prefers not to consider such, but suggest all is well in River City and everything is up, up, and away being wildly optimistic, positive and unquestioning of intentions etc. that is as reasonable and rational an approach as any I suppose.
John
 |  |  |
 Quote:
Originally Posted by keokoi  Some inteeresting reading.. I think the day when koi clubs compete for dates would be the day koi hobby has taken off and would be on prime time  .
But truthfully its hard enough to get a venue to host the show that fits the budget and then the dates. I think that National show that didn't take off over lapped a show in a different state. Some were hurt but like most it was a misunderstanding that was resolved.
Looking at he geography of the state and being more than 5 hours away should be no big deal. In the big state of California we have shows overlap from Norcal to SoCal but we all try to fit it in.
I am happy to see many shows go on at once. It's a better chance to get more involved in the hobby and coer more ground.
Isn't that what doing a show is? Too promote the hobby and education to others?
Joe |
 | |  |