The Professional Air Sports Association
was founded on March 21,1997. PASA's organizational structure
includes industry councils. These councils provide members
with an opportunity to focus on a trend or specialty within
their unique area of the industry. Industry Councils include:
Hang Gliding, Kite Surfing, Paragliding, Parasailing and
Ultra light.
PASA has developed a complete certification system to
train and register all levels of kite surfing pilots from
beginners to instructors and Parasailing Operators. PASA
offers certification cards, handbooks, lesson plans, and
teaching manuals. Commercial liability insurance is available
to schools that adhere to PASA guidelines and safety standards.
Professional Membership in PASA is required in order to
qualify for the insurance program.
 KITER.COM: What is your role at PASA
and how long have you been involved?
Paul Menka:
I have been involved for over 1 year and know basically
what is wrong and what is right in terms of safety.
Some of the other Air Sports have
been around for years, what prompted the formation of
PASA in 1997?
The president of PASA, John Harris, asked me
to join because he had seen directly the way that the
regulations helped the growth of the other air sports
and wanted to bring that structure to kiteboarding.
What is the mission of PASA?
To propagate air sports. We are not the general
authority but rather a source of information and we
know what works. We take the knowledge that we have
from the other sports and combine it with the instructors
to offer a better learning environment.
How many members does PASA have?
We have about 100 instructors in the USA.
What are the levels of participation in
PASA and what are the benefits to kiteboarders?
The benefits to instructors are faster development and
how to adjust to changing conditions. They are able
to get first class liability insurance for schools and
rentals.
What is the process for getting a PASA
certification?
We have criteria in terms of rescue, CPR, how to instruct,
how the physics of the kite work, basically how to become
an expert on the fundamentals.
How many schools are currently certified
with PASA and who are they?
We have schools ranging from the big kite companies
all the way down to the one-man kite school who is totally
committed, they can be some of the best.
Are any of the PASA officer’s kiteboarders?
Most of the PASA officers are kiteboarders, how else
could we be experts?
How can PASA and its programs help with the
growth of kiteboarding as a sport?
Safety, instruction and better information. It all comes
back to what works and that’s what we provide
to make the sport progress.
How many people are involved in Hangliding,
Paragliding and Ultralights?
In terms of participants there are several hundred thousand
into the millions.
Will kiteboarding be a niche sport like
the other PASA sports or does it have the potential
to surpass them in participation?
Kiteboarding will not be a niche. It offers something
for everyone between 10 years old to 60. You do not
need the specialized conditions that are required by
some of the other PASA sports.
 What
are the biggest barriers right now for people getting
into kiteboarding?
Information. The awareness in the general public is
not there. All of us in the sport need to be ambassadors
every day at the beach.
Does the average person perceive kiteboarding
as too dangerous?
Not necessarily as too dangerous, in fact many may need
more respect for the sport. To some people it looks
easy so they are not even totally aware of the dangers.
Is it legal to operate a school without
a PASA certification?
Sure, you can operate a school without a PASA certification
but we know we can do it the right way. There are other
ways but ours will work for sure.
What involvement does PASA have with contests
and events?
Mostly in terms of site selection and safety for the
riders and the site. We are an unbiased third party
which is not always welcome depending on the conditions
around the event.
Does PASA certify snowkiting instruction
too?
Once I get the chance, yes we will amend the insurance
policy to include snow kiting.
Can you tell us some places that kiting
has been banned? Could PASA play a role in helping the
sport NOT get banned and even get UN-banned?
Yes, kiting has been banned many times. Out of 93 locations
that I have been to this year about 1/3 have been banned
at some point. It is definitely an issue that we can
help with. We want to anticipate and get ahead of the
issues by working closely with the local people who
understand the specifics best and have the vested interest.
PASA is there to help.
Thanks for the interview Paul. Any parting
advice for prospective kiteboarders?
Yeah. Don’t buy gear first… go take a lesson
and then get the correct gear.
For more information about Paul:
http://www.professionalairsports.org
http://www.kitesurftheearth.com
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