Is the Koi Hobby a Non-Competative Diversion!?

[koicluboftheair]

Quote: Originally Posted by Russell Peters Good points Dwight, it is not the quality of Koi that make the participation important, it is the fact that you all participate that is important. Russ

Participate in what Russ? A club, a show, the hobby, or some combination therein? I've regularly spoken with folk from around the country representing clubs, and outside the continental U.S that all love koi. Heck, I know many people that have koi in my own neighborhood that aren't even in a club and have never been. Do they love their koi less? I don't think so. I do support greater participation in the hobby, which might require almost a revival sort of raise the tent sort of atmosphere without all the high rhetoric, but much more campaigning for such kissing fish, shaking fins sorts of activities. Some clubs build and maintain community and school ponds. Others hand out literature at community events promoting the hobby. I don't see how these efforts should be considered lesser than in building the Cyprinus carpio carpio hobby.

[PapaBear]

Your post makes no sense at all in the context of Russell's and Dwight's exchange. Did Russell denegrate Dwight's club for not having a show??? It sure didn't read that way to me. He pointed out the value of participating in the "hobby" in a constructive way, which is exactly what Dwight's club appears to be doing at its current level of activity. Maybe someday they'll grow enough to have a show, help some other club put theirs on, do some of the things you mentioned, or just keep doing what they're doing. In any case, they're doing what they can and building the hobby in their own way.

[Russell Peters]

Quote: Originally Posted by koicluboftheair Participate in what Russ? A club, a show, the hobby, or some combination therein? I've regularly spoken with folk from around the country representing clubs, and outside the continental U.S that all love koi. Heck, I know many people that have koi in my own neighborhood that aren't even in a club and have never been. Do they love their koi less? I don't think so. I do support greater participation in the hobby, which might require almost a revival sort of raise the tent sort of atmosphere without all the high rhetoric, but much more campaigning for such kissing fish, shaking fins sorts of activities. Some clubs build and maintain community and school ponds. Others hand out literature at community events promoting the hobby. I don't see how these efforts should be considered lesser than in building the Cyprinus carpio carpio hobby.

What do you mean "participate in what?" I was responding to Dwights response and I was referring to the things they do.

Russ

[jnorth]

Quote: Originally Posted by schildkoi John, its statements like the one above that tend to agitate people. "Open the doors" implies that the doors are currently closed elsewhere. Please list for us those closed door that do not do seminars, whether they have a koi show or not. We all will be waiting for that response. In the interim, I'll prepare the list of clubs that do. By the way, your "preaching" is growing "cobwebs."

Be sure to add ZNA Potomac to your list of clubs that "open doors" by having seminars. We try to do something educational at every meeting. You can also expect a full slate of seminars at our show Sept. 8-9 2007 . I'll be sure to announce what the seminars will be on once they are booked (but they will all be related to koi in some way).

[bekko]

I suspect that shows are a minor factor when it comes to exposing the "outside world" to koi. The influence of shows is overwhelmed by mass marketing the fad of having a water feature in your landscape. The best thing that ever happened to koi was having Home Depot begin carrying pre-formed plastic water gardens. Once your water garden is set up, you go to the local aquarium shop for some fish and are told that koi is the thing to have. That is the spring board and from there some will bounce higher than others.

I have never had the opportunity to enter a koi competition; but would like to. However, not having a local competition does not diminish the urge to have better and better fish.

-s tev eho

[koicluboftheair]

Quote: Originally Posted by PapaBear Maybe someday they'll grow enough to have a show,...

Not everyone believes that is a measure of being grown. Some consider it merely having bylaws and being recognized as an AKCA or ZNA club.

[koicluboftheair]

Quote: Originally Posted by bekko I suspect that shows are a minor factor when it comes to exposing the "outside world" to koi. The influence of shows is overwhelmed by mass marketing the fad of having a water feature in your landscape. The best thing that ever happened to koi was having Home Depot begin carrying pre-formed plastic water gardens. Once your water garden is set up, you go to the local aquarium shop for some fish and are told that koi is the thing to have. That is the spring board and from there some will bounce higher than others. I have never had the opportunity to enter a koi competition; but would like to. However, not having a local competition does not diminish the urge to have better and better fish. -s tev eho

You hit the nail on the head (Home Depot metaphor) with that post!

[koicluboftheair]

[quote=PapaBear;69903]In any case, they're doing what they can and building the hobby in their own way.quote]

True dat!

[schildkoi]

Great statement. Everyone seems to get confused with "direct" vs "indirect" influences of koi shows. Whether one enters, or participates or even just reads about them, Koi shows have a positive impact and drive the hobby. Even those that simply strive for better and better fish are driven due to better and better fish being available....due to koi shows. Koi health? Many of the treatments and procedures today are simply due to the costs of the higher quality koi...koi that are economically worth investing large somes in to save. Again, indirectly due to koi shows.


As for KCOA, I am still waiting for you to back up your "closed door" statement with a list. Or do you only state your opinions as facts and not care to give factual evidence to back them up?

Steve

[KoiCop]

speaking of waiting for KCOHA to respond, this was post #10 on this thread -- so either he missed it, too, or he's ducking it.

Quote: Originally Posted by KoiCop I know I've said it before, but it does bear repeating: This board's motto (see above) is "Straight from Japan . . . For the Serious Hobbyist." What turns us on is koi shows and show koi -- their breeders, dealers, judges, clubs, owners, ponds, health and care. Why do you keep talking about growing the hobby and measuring it in terms of goldfish, watergardens and pond tours? Hasn't it sunk in yet that it would have absolutely no impact on 'our' hobby were all three to disappear from the face of the earth tomorrow! Rule One: Know your audience. Rule Two: If you can't change your message, change your audience. There are, no doubt, other boards out there where your populist anti-elite, anti-show, anti-judge message would resonate. But it ain't in here in Bito-ville, bubba.

PS: For the record, I'm trying to speak for the serious show folks on this board and their discontent with Hawley's approach. I am not disparaging all the other types of folks, fish and ponds out there who comprise the hobby as a whole.