Koi Club Questions...

[Charlespear]

True that, true that!!! I would join in a heartbeat if there where one within 150 miles. Steves got a point, I almost killed the fish the first time I used a net. I really did think I killed my koi the first time I put one out for a few minutes, and I'am really glad no one saw me give my first Baytril shot............

Quote: Originally Posted by schildkoi There are a number of reasons to join a club but I will give you one (group) that you cannot get from books, magazines nor the internet....hands on experience, most typically taught from very experienced hobbyists. Someone that can show you how to handle a net, someone to show you (or hoild your hand) while you knock out your Koi the first time. Access most likely to a microscope and the knowledge of how to use it. Treatment of wounds etc and the list actually goes on and on. Book smarts is good, but nothing beats practical hands on experience...experience availble (typically) through a club. Steve

[scvkoi]

In addition to all of the excellent comments about what advantages there are to belonging to a Koi Club is the human aspect of the hobby of Koi Keeping.
You can derive lots of information as it relates to Koi health on the Internet, but what is it they say about practical experience verses text book experience. think about it, what will happen the first time one of your beloved koi becomes ill. Sure you can post pictures and description of what appears to ail your koi..then wait how long for a reply? Where as if you belong to a Koi Club chances are there willbe someone you can call and have come over and possibly give you diagnoses rather quickly. If you happen to belong to a AKCA club, chances there will be someone in the club who has gone through the Koi Health Advisor program...someone who now has more knowledge about koi health than the average hobbyist. This person might be able to hook you up with a Vet who can perscribe meds for you koi.
Or how about the first time you have to inject medication into your very large koi?
How many people here remember the first time they had to inject one of their koi?
The first time I had to inject one of my Koi, I was very greatful that I was a member of a Koi Club and there was someone who was able to come over and guide me through the entire process of injecting medication into the koi. The Internet is not going to be there to ensure that you are properly injecting your koi.

Another possible benefit to being a member of a Koi Club is that there may come a time you want to go on an extended vacation, job related travel, take care of personal business in another city, town, village, etc. There might be someone in the Koi Club who is close to you and can stop by to ensure there are no problems with your Koi, Pond System, ensure your feeder still has koi food, etc. Sure it is possible to find someone to care for your Koi with the Internet, but since many members of Boards live anywhere in the world..it will be harder to find that someone.

Being a member of a Koi Club and you can find out how various conditions in your region can impact your Koi Pond. May be you love Kohaku, but you have spent hundreds and maybe thousands of Dollars, Euros, Pound, Yen, etc. trying to raise a great looking Kohaku. Just to findout from the local Koi Club members that the water in your region is great for Asagi, Shusui, Koromo, but turn Kohaku to trash.
Or your region gets quite a bit of snow each winter, the Koi Club probably will probably have members that would know how to get your Koi through the snowy winter in excellent health.

Anyway these are some example of reasons to becoming a member of a Koi Club... If possible, become a member of several Koi Clubs so you can get several points of view on Koi related topics... Can one ever get too much information on Koi?

One last thing... Your relationship with a club of any type should be one of giving as well as taking. I have read more than a few times people who said that they left a club because they did not get anything out of it....Well my question is, "What did you give to that club (besides your membership dues)?

[dinh]

Quote: Originally Posted by schildkoi Every Koi show in the US put on by a club? There are numerous Shows over the years and some even every year put on by dealers. Just an fyi. Steve

Steve, not so sure in other place, but here in Northern California, it is true that real koi show in NorCal in the past 6 or 7 years put on by a club with or without local koi dealer as co-sponsor(s).

--Dinh

[dinh]

Quote: Originally Posted by Charlespear True that, true that!!! I would join in a heartbeat if there where one within 150 miles. Steves got a point, I almost killed the fish the first time I used a net. I really did think I killed my koi the first time I put one out for a few minutes, and I'am really glad no one saw me give my first Baytril shot............

Hi Charles, it is an internet age nowadays.... it doesn't have to be within 150 miles. Our ZNA NorCal will be more than happy to welcome you to join our club.... Our club site (www.znanorcal.org) has created a "shoutbox" for now for people can join our club meeting without attending in person. The shoutbox allows you to post questions and club will try to address your question during the meeting session.

We are trying to set up an IP video or audio confenence for our club so people can join the club meeting thru the internet if you are not able to attending in person.

--Dinh