"Koi Clubs and Koi Shows"

[Bob Hart]

Bern,

Some wise words there, I will certainly have a think about the first one. I did work the centre ring of the South East show many years ago, was very enjoyable.

The second one I'd struggle with, no matter how much I knew. I've never been one of those people blessed with a good memory, I have to write everything down. Can find my ways round most things, but exams are always a bit of a problem for me. People's names are another one of my pet 'cant remember' things, I know a lot of people suffer this one, but not quite as much as myself I think. Therefore 'what variety is this' would set me a trembling!!!!!!

As for my age, I feel like I'm 18 most of the time. I know I look all my 47 years and my body feels my age as well, as you say it's all down hill now (said with a little tear in my eye). All up though, I really enjoy helping others and seem to be doing more of it every year. This weekend I'm selling off some Koi for someone, demolishing a pond for a lady who's husband died and then up to another pond to sort out some ulcers in a slowly maturing pond.

As to the start of the thread, I'm not sure what extra I'd get from a club though.

[simon]

Good answer bern, I know we need to keep the partners/wives happy while the koi mad go and spend there time looking and purchasing koi and related products at the show,
But from your answer, can you tell me what position did viewing of the show fish come on your most popular hits of your web site. And does this concern you that it was not number one, and that rather the public knowing what is the new grand champion, they are to interested in what dealers are going. this seems a great shame.

[Bern]

Hi Simon,

I was commenting on the amount of hits my advert for the 2004 SE show had and their distribution. I can only count the hits for the categories on the site.

There is no way I can forcast or anticipate the fish in the show and give any info about them, so there wasn't such a category. The ad was pre-show publicity.

Take a look at the SE Website, the 2004 show ad is still there. I think you'll get the picture then.

rgds BERN

[simon]

sorry bern I read it wrong ( too many beers on a fri night) but does knowing that information to a koiclub holding a show matter. Has any one done a post show survey,

[scvkoi]

Wow an interesting thread...
Well here's my $.02 worth..

Koi Shows and Socializing are some of the activities that a Koi Club may offer to its members and the public. However, if one were to check with the Founders of the various Koi Clubs we would probably find that the club came into existence to educate people in the various aspects of Koi. So what are some of the activities that a Koi Club may provide to its members and the public to accomplish this goal?
Having just spent the previous four years as President of Koi Club in the area where I reside, here are some examples of activities and sources that our club utilized to accomplish this goal.

Monthly General Meeting is used to present short programs on various topics related to Koi. Meet at different members pond each month to get an idea on how fellow club members have their Koi Pond set-up. Also an opportunity for newbie’s to get advice by more knowledgeable club members on Koi related topics..

One-Day Seminar – A full day session on such topics as Koi Health, Building Ponds given by people in the industry, advanced hobbyists, etc. Also this is an opportunity to bring in the public, members of other Koi Clubs and others with an interest in Koi together to share stories related to koi.

Pond Tours – Allows the public to view working ponds.

Newsletter – Used to provide the membership various club information, articles on topics related to koi.

Buying Trips – Allows club members to buy different varieties of koi and to learn more about koi from dealers. Also can be used to purchase various dry products needed for koi.

Koi Auction – Can be closed to club members only or opened to non-club members, but is an opportunity for someone to more an unwanted Koi to another pond.

Specific Classes – Classes on Koi, Koi Pond Systems and their requirements given separately from the regular club meeting.

Internet – Used to provide information on club events, how to contact the club and/or its Officers, Information related to Koi Health topics, etc.


If these activities sound interesting and are not currently being provided by the local club, then suggest it to the club. They are always looking for suggestions from its membership for activities. Guess what? One might need to volunteer to help produce the activity.

Clubs are also always looking for people to become involve, so don't be bashful roll up your sleeves and lend a hand. You get out of a club what you put in. The local Koi Club should not be your only source of information use other sources such as having a subscription to a Koi Magazine like as Koi-Bito, books on koi, attend Koi Seminars, and Internet. So why should one seek other sources information when the Koi Club should have all of the information I should need? Well, my Great, Great, Great, Great, Great Grandfather Confusion, not to be confused with Confucius once said young guppy seek knowledge from many sources such as tablets (books and magazines), discussions with more knowledgeable than you, media sources such as television and the Internet.. For this shall provide you a well-rounded wealth of information. Great, Great, Great, Great, Great Grandfather Confusion what is Internet?

When joining a Koi Club, have realistic expectations of what the club provides. There are people who join a Koi Club and then expect the members to all come over and build them a Koi Pond. Others show up at a meeting and announce that they are going to build a Koi Pond and then expect the club to produce the plans necessary to build the pond. There are those who have a koi health issue and expect everyone to drop everything they are doing and go over and cure whatever ails the koi…Forget the fact that it is 10pm and that the call could have been made at 10am.

Realistic expectation should be some research on the Newbie’s part will be needed to build a knowledge base by discussions with club members, book/video sources available to be checked out from the club library, or bought from the club. Then develop designs of how the Koi Pond System is envisioned. With these tasks completed the Newbie then has a realistic and serious base to begin discussion with the advanced members of the club on building the “Dream Koi Pond”.

[scvkoi]

Another Koi Club activity and source of Koi Education that I briefly mentioned in the opening is a Koi Show. There are some who feel that all Koi Clubs should have an Annual Koi Show. Well that is easier said that done….There are many..many..many legitimate reasons why a Koi Club does not have an Annual Koi Show. I won’t go into a discussion on all of them, but would like to touch on one area that is common problem for young Koi Clubs and more established Koi Clubs and possibly a major reason why there are not more Koi Shows. That problem being the low number of experienced Koi Show personnel to handle such things as Water Quality, Benching, and Judging Coordination. Let’s face it, these areas are the “nuts and bolts” that can make or break a Koi Show. When a Koi Club decides to have a Koi Show, they have to ensure the Koi put into their care will return to its resident Pond unharmed and that the Judging results are correct as Judged. If they are unable to make these assurances then there is no Koi Show.



The Water Quality folks not only have to set-up the Koi Show tanks, and build the air system, they have to ensure that the water quality is excellent 24 hours a day throughout the entire event. If the event has Koi Dealers with livestock then they are probably going to be involved with them one way or another. After the Koi Show and the Koi Entrants and Koi Dealers have long gone. Water Quality guys are usually around to tear down the Koi Show tanks, sterilize the tanks, dry the tanks and properly store the tanks. If harm comes to the Koi whether it belongs to a Koi Entrant or Dealer then it’s very possible they will not be at the next Koi Show sponsored by the club.



Members of the Benching Team not only ensure that the Koi are classified properly, but they actually have to handle someone else’s Koi. These folks must move the Koi from the entrant’s bag or Koi tub to the Koi Show tank and probably physically measure the Koi at some point. During the Judging portion of the Koi Show these folks may also be asked to net a Koi and place the Koi into a Koi Tub for the Judges. All this without dropping the Koi, scratching the Koi or harming the Koi in any manner and that includes loss of scale from the koi. At the end of the Koi Show, some of these people may be asked by a Koi Entrant to assist in getting the Koi into a container for the journey back to the resident pond.



Judge’s Coordinator not only has to ensure that the proper results are recorded, but be able to work efficiently with the Judges to ensure that all of the Koi are judged in a timely manner.. Thus they need to know all of the varieties of Koi to be able to point out those other than Kohaku, Sanke and Showa.



Those who would like more Koi Shows in their area and have some of the above skills necessary to help should get to the Koi Club in the area and volunteer your skills if you have not done so previously. If you are going to a Koi Show out of your area offer to help the event where possible. If you can contact the Koi Show Chair before hand and let that person know what skills you have and that you would be attending their Show and would gladly help. I bet you they will more than welcome your help. If you plan to attend the Koi Show the nest year, by letting the host club know you would be willing to help again…you may be the reason the Koi Show happens again.




Well I practice what I preach. I have been to a number of Koi Shows across the country and have helped with many phases of the event, from Koi Show tank set-up and tear down to just stopping in on a Koi Show and fixing a computer program problem.

So where will I be helping a Koi Show again? At the beginning of this year I will be at the Koi Club of San Diego’s upcoming 18th Annual Koi Show on March 5-6th, I will be helping with the Benching Team Friday evening and on Saturday probably helping with Benching again and probably Assisting as one of the Judge’s Coordinator. Two weeks later at the Zen Nippon Airinkai Gardena Chapter’s 31st Annual Koi Show, if I get in early enough I will help with set-up otherwise I will be helping with the Benching Team Friday evening and on Saturday early morning Benching, with possibly computer work during the show or one of Judge’s Coordinator or where needed.

If my schedule permits, I will try to get to other Koi Shows to help one way or another…for me there is life outside of Koi.



Well I have gone beyond being Long Winded and more than $.02 worth, if you are at either of the two Koi Shows I just mentioned…. Stop by and say hi………….

[Nancy M.]

Hi Gary
I could not have said it better. Anyone who does not get this. Be a show Chairman.. Been there done it!! It is alot of work..
Nancy Morales

[MikeM]

Lots of good ideas.

One thing I did not see listed was a club library. It used to be that maintaining a specialized library was a significant function of many sorts of hobby clubs. Our koi club eliminated its library last Fall, auctioning off the books and "stuff" accumulated over the years. With so much available on the internet, the books and tapes were simply not being checked out.

[aquitori]

Garry C, much love out to you and your club...By the way, I did enjoy your clubs last years show and it was a great one at that!!! I started this thread to see what members had to say about their club not having a show. If you are to respect one Japanese standard and that is to apprieate koi and with that comes koi shows. I know it's hard work but shot in the end I think everyone has fun right? I have been behind the scenes of many koi shows and yes it's crazy at times, but when the final judging is done everyone goes home happy, well some of us so to speak...But thanks for speaking your mind Garry.

[aquitori]

Quote: Originally Posted by Nancy M. Hi Gary I could not have said it better. Anyone who does not get this. Be a show Chairman.. Been there done it!! It is alot of work.. Nancy Morales

Nancy considering you did back to back shows at Ken's I know you guys busted your asses to put on not just one but two shows. Shot, you guys are the champs for that!! Mad props go out to you guys!! Also one question, do you think it is vital for dealers to support such shows?