The World Surf Kayak Association is the association of surf competition kayakers from different Countries, who come together every two years for a World Championship. It is a necessary association because it:
The Members are all surf kayakers from all Countries which have had one or more competitors at either of the previous two World Championships.
The Membership Fee is £10, Euro 10 or $10 per person entering the current World Championships. This is collected with entry fees by the host organiser, on behalf of WSKA. Funds are used for any essential costs in running the WSKA, and held in reserve to support World Championship events if necessary. All work for WSKA is voluntary and unpaid.
The Elected Committee comprises people who are active and keen to work effectively in a team, representing all surf kayakers and countries equally, and contributing to the organisation, goals and success of the WSKA.
The committee has the responsibility for running the affairs of the WSKA within these rules and guidelines. They organise themselves in the most suitable way, make decisions and act on them, and research and refine any significant proposals or recommendations to put before the Country Reps for decision. The elected committee is responsible to the Members, via the Country Reps.
The Committee is elected at each World Championships, for two years or until the next World Championships.
The 2017 – 2019 elected committee is:
Edu Etxeberria – Darren Bason – Irati Bordagaray Martija – Mat Hoff – Stuart McGlinchey – Teresa Rogerson
Specific allocated roles include:
Chair Person – Mat Hoff
Secretary – Teresa Rogerson
Treasurer – Stuart McGlinchey
The elected committee offers and provides support to the host venue for the next World Championships to help ensure consistency and quality of the event. The committee and the host organiser provide a main point of contact each. For Peru 2019, the Event Director is Nathan Eades and Contest Director is Joey Hall.
The elected committee can enable more volunteers to help and contribute to WSKA goals in specific areas. The committee has the responsibility to communicate with and organise these volunteers. For example, this may be in specific areas (such as website, rules, World Cup or equipment), liaison with a particular world region, or it may enable experienced people to stay involved and helpful, without needing to have full committee responsibilities.
For occasional significant decisions which are considered to need (or be strengthened by) full WSKA involvement, a decision is made by the voting of Country Reps. From time to time, the committee may prepare topics for voting on by the Country Reps. The election process for the committee is shown below.
The Country Representatives are the channel of communication between their nations’ surf kayakers and the WSKA. They share information both ways, and represent their nation’s views in all aspects of the WSKA. Every Country with active surf kayakers is invited to nominate a Country Rep. Each nation is responsible for selecting their own Country Rep and advising the WSKA secretary of the name and contact details. (WSKA is not responsible for chasing each Country to inform or update their Representative).
The WSKA Country Representatives are:
Until the start of Peru 2019 (or until the system is changed), there are 12 voting Countries – Australia, Basque, Denmark, England, Galicia, Ireland, British Islands (comprising Jersey and Isle of Man), Ulster/Northern Ireland, Portugal, Scotland, US West, Wales. This group is broadly representative of the majority of surf kayakers. It is likely to be knowledgeable people involved for the longer term. The voting system is simple, easy to determine who is eligible and to manage.
However, there are different views about the eligibility of Countries to vote and the number of votes a Country has. The decision was made in Northern Ireland 2017, that the newly elected committee will review the number and eligibility of Countries entitled to vote.
An Open Meeting for all Members will be held at every World Championships to share information and views.
The Election process to the Committee:
(a guide – timings subject to surf conditions and competition)