NCKA and Philosophy

Long story short. Last night CHUB got robbed.
Three guys jumped him and a friend, took their skateboards and made an attempt to take cash.
CHUB's friend wanted to let it go, afraid of possible retaliation.
In CHUB's own words, "F$% THAT"! Called 911 as he followed the perps, they are now in jail facing felony charges. All is good.
His biggest question over the whole ordeal was, "How can one human being treat another human being that way? I just don't get it."
This led Becky and I into a discussion over an incredible dinner and multiple beers (see photo) about society in general.
I posed the question, " Why can't society conduct themselves the way NCKA conducts itself?"
Sure we have disagreements. We all definitely come from a variety of backgrounds yet for some reason or another we all get along.
I laughed at Becky's son while we were at Albion. His first time on the ocean with a brand new rod and reel. The night before the tourney he put his rod and reel in a secure place. He did not understand that with this crowd it was not necessary.
I further speculated that we weed out the bad ones on our own ( with the asstistance of Papa Bill of course).
Becky pointed out it only takes one person to steal something to ruin it for everyone. I agree with that. I explained to her that there is something about us a whole that does not allow that to happen.
I personally feel if something were to get stolen, and I don't believe it ever would from any of my NCKA brothers or sisters; somehow, some way I would get it back.
So what seperates us from the rest of society? What makes us friendly to those we have never met before? What makes us treat each other with the care, respect and dignity that we do? If I could bottle it and sell it my income would put Bill Gates to shame.
Thank you everyone for reminding me that there are a lot of great people out there and that we definitely set an example for all of society to follow.
NCKA soooooooooooooooo F'ing ROCKS!!!!!!!!!

Your son has great instincts Tote. Sooo glad that with his help the scumbags were caught. Did they get their boards back o.k.? jim

Mike, right is right. Congratulations for bringing up a son with the backbone to do what is right--despite fear. You are as brave as he was because he was acting with your teaching and example--which too many shirk these days because it is the harder path. Kudos to both of you. Bravo. You have earned a beer on me in the least--any time any place. You call it. See you at the Bendo (but I ain't given you my winning fish so don't get too excited  ).

Thanks for sharing the proud moment, Mike.  The "discussion over an incredible dinner and multiple beers" is what it's all about, Brother.  Appreciation for the right thinking that we help to instill and encourage in our kids is a fuel that will perpetuate their continued success growing up.  Keep it up, Man.   

Thank you for sharing the story.  If people just treat others the way they like to be treated and believe in Karma this world would be a much better place to live!

I'm glad no one got hurt and everything went well Mike. BTW, awesome dinner
plate you have there. I second what you mean about not having to worry about
your things being stolen when you're surrounded by you NCKA brothers. If
anything, we all look out for one another and more.

Jedmo

I've had this same feeling of family in the climbing, mountainbiking, and the NCKA world...I think it boils down to common purpose- or perhaps not purpose, but shared experience. The act of doing "it" actually cements the bonds between the folks engaged. In climbing you have hours and hours and hours of boredom punctuated by moments of struggle, terror and beauty, that's what i think binds folks. A few friends that were climbers, but also fought in war said climbing welded the same bonds. I don't know about that, but do know that the bonds are unbreakable. I think that kayakfishing has similiar (but lesser) characteristics- hours and hours of boredom, a few minutes of excitement and beauty. Watching your buddy punch through the surf knowing your next, that hookset that transmits from below, "big fish", and watching the color fade into the world all contribute to welding us together.

Some people just need to spend more time in the mountains Mike. I am glad to hear Chub and his bud are OK it could have easily gone south from that point.I think everyone on earth has criminal thoughts from time to time. Its the action that is engaged after these thoughts occur that separate the masses.

SteveS pretty much summed up my philosophy about NCKA.

Despite the diverse backgrounds of our 1,600 registered members, the display of mutual respect and camaraderie at our derbies/campouts at Albion, Elk, or Mendo is always inspiring and heartwarming.

I wonder if it will still be the same when the NCKA community grows to over 3,000 members.  My guess is that it will for the most part, but I'm afraid that our moderators will be much busier trying to keep the peace.

That is exactly what we love about NCKA. I'm glad that others see NCKA that same way Theresa and I do.

I've mentioned this before, but we moved to California from semi-rural Arizona about 4 or 5 years ago. We were used to occasional turds in our community, but for the most part people got along well and we really enjoyed living there. When we came to California our first year or two was miserable. The crime, the selfishness, and complete lack of community left us feeling like we made a HUGE mistake moving to California.

Then we found NCKA. I can honestly say that NCKA turned our lives around here in California. The first event we ever went to was BAM III, and we realized we had finally found "our people." My second year with NCKA I planned every single vacation around NCKA events. Now in our third year with the group my wife and I look forward to every fish-n-chill, tournament, and hookup. I am not a city person, and still not much of a fan of the citizenry of California in general, but NCKA makes life in this new place worthwhile.
 

NCKAC

The second 'C' stands for Community

Tote, Ahmen Brother!     I never thought I would meet sooooooo many cool people with such respect for community, nature, and having a great time together.  And how everyone comes together to help those in need, its really touching!  When people pitched in for Stoggie loosing his tackle, and my losses at GMSIII, so many people made donations to us both, I felt sooooo lucky that we are a part of such an awesome group! 

That said, I thought there was some thieves at Albion?  Someone said that a tackle box and maybe a rod or two was taken during the night.  I know it wasn't our crowd, but it still sucks that it happened to someone in our community on an event like that. But I know that a small thieve cant break our spirit! 

Glad that situation worked out without harm, cause we all know it can get a lot worse than that.   

Way to go Chub! 

A lot of times just making a stand can make a difference from being a victim and being a man ( woman ). Predators will not attack if they don't think they can win. Most people just take the beating and cry about it. Chub probably helped someone out down the line because those scumbags will think twice next time.....or I could be a pessimist and say they will become hardened life time criminals. 

-Brian G

Tote and Chub, glad to hear how it all went down. Getting jumped like that is a crazy experience but Chub's stronger for it. Right on bruddah!! (insert man hug here) Those guys in jail have got a lot of soul searching to do. Let's hope they make the right choice.

Simply, I think what we have here at NCKA is a tight knit community. It may be an online community so seem a little strange to outsiders but I think it proves that whether it be physical or virtual human beings are better when they are part of a community. It's a whole lot harder to do something bad when you know the person you're hurting. I'm hopeful that virtual communities can pull society together where physical communities are dissolving. NCKA is a great example and it may make you happy to know that we've got a pretty sweet one growing in the northwest too.
NCKA changed my life!

Z

I generally always treat people the way I would want to be treated. I consider this, after 30 years of life experiences that I can remember (I'm 39), as very generous. The exception to my generosity is when folks take advantage of it, or when they assume things about me that run contrary to all of my past behavior (some people are constantly in the defensive, "preemptive first strike" mode, regardless of how long one has been trustworthy around them. These types get no second time freebies from me. I figure you get one chance, after that you'll need to prove to me with actions that you are worthy of my trust.
that's me in a nutshell.

CHUB absolutely did the right thing. The guys that jumped him & his buddy did the wrong thing. No two ways about it.

I've never been a part of an online "thing" before, but I've gotten nothing but good stuff here at NCKA, and I'm proud to have been there from the Kayak Connection derby in 2003 (or whenever Alien won it with a 30lb halibut) and a guy named "Han'a Pa'a" said "dude, you totally need to look up the NCKA site, it's hella cool. You know the logo with the sunset? Could you make a wooden version for my friend Bill?"
That's when the madness really took hold.
I'm still glad I got involved, still proud to wear my black NCKA T-shirt. I get stoke here, & try to give it back whenever I have the opportunity.