I'm back...

Been skiing and traveling with work over the last week or two.

However amongst it all I attended a seminar in Wellington run by SportNZ (the old SPARC) on behalf of GNZ/Clubs (which is why I'm not always instructing). Such a beautiful Wellington day to be stuck either inside or on a plane.

A couple of really interesting bits;
Did you know that the NZ Rugby Union's Facebook page has 1.7million followers? I didn't...mainly because I didn't really care...however they can potentially sell this database to the next WorldCup (where ever that is). And Facebook sites have traded for upto $20 per follower...you do the math.
More importanly its a way of generating interest (and for them ticket sales) and keeping fans up to date.
We here in gliding haven't used this method much (we're all too old and stubborn...new fangled interweb stuff...it won't last...etc)...but maybe it's worth a look. And for those worry worts...there is a protocol for dealing with the unwanted stuff...The United States Air Force Negative Attack Tactical Response Plan...I kid you not...they really do go after you with a Predator Drone. But seriously there is such a plan...

Go have a look at Equestrian Sport NZ (the horsey people) as another example...

VolunteeringNZ...another group that could help our clubs deal with Duty Pilot stuff. I intend to go visit the local branch and have a wee chat about what options are available. Apparently there are 1.3 million volunteers in NZ...which means the other 3 million watch TV I guess...
The interesting thing about volunteering is some people do the visible and obvious stuff (instructing, club committee and so forth) and others work behind the scenes...but it isn't a contest its a group effort.

The other interesting observation about the group of National Sports Organisations represented in Wellington last Wednesday is most of them are full or part time employees of their respective sports. Sports like boxing, Pony clubs, table tennis, Water Polo, Synchronised splashing, Australian Football ( that weird sport played in very short shorts by even stranger South Australians), Archery, and even Gliding.

Change of subject...I'm about to recieve a new PNA. I've discovered a source that's way cheaper than the advertised options, with a better screen and the chap will load either SeeYou or LK8000. Excellent...my IPAQ is getting a bit tired, although the screen is still better than the Oudie's. I'm yet to be impressed with the Oudie option...

So with all this new stuff, and a share in a Duo to be finalised, I'd better start looking skyward...
And the very last gadget I just tripped over is a HD camera that links live to your phone so you can operate, record and store the video's on your smart phone. Stick the camera on the tail, or wind, or where ever and start/stop and see whats recording on your phone. All this for $300...