Vote of support for Bill Stromberg

[ADR]

Hi All,

There has been some significant debate and heat relating to recent WR events and it is human nature to focus on what went wrong, look for heads to roll and take for granted the good things. I thought it might be a good opportunity for us all to rebalance the books a little.

Those that have been around a while I’m sure will agree that Bill is doing a fantastic job as AIDA president and many great things have already occurred with him at the top. I’m hoping that from both sides of the recent debate that people will shelve their positions for a moment and acknowledge this. Bill is accountable, should be challenged and does need to answer on issues like the recent ones, BUT he also deserves a huge amount of respect, gratitude and acknowledgment for the terrific job and personal sacrifice he makes as AIDA president.

Please join me in giving Bill a huge “white card” for his contribution to freediving as President of AIDA

 

[wes]

Bill,

Yes, please accept my white card. What AIDA has accomplished is amazing and wonderful. I recently asked Kirk Krack what was the safety record, excluding no limits dives, of AIDA sanctioned competitions for the last 10 years and Kirk replied, zero deaths that he was aware of. When you think of all the competitions and all the competitors and all the dives and dynamics and statics this is really an amazing feat and something Bill and everyone involved with AIDA should be proud of. It is something as a competitor, I can say personally, that it is very very comforting too to know how much effort is put onto safety when I am pushing some personal limits at an AIDA competition.

Cheers Wes Lapp

 

[efattah]

While nobody is perfect, I certainly agree Bill is by far the best AIDA president since I entered the sport in 1998.

 

[Flojt]

While nobody is perfect, I certainly agree Bill is by far the best AIDA president since I entered the sport in 1998.

Bill has my White card, he is doing a good job making all forces within AIDA work for the best of the sport.

So let him and all the others that are working to do freediving better, have the benefit of doubt and carry on with their work that they are doing for US.

 

[jome]

It's a tough job and he does it well. That doesn't mean I agree with every decision, but damn it the man gets things done.

I don't know what kind of image people have of being the AIDA president, but I imagine it has very little to do with perks, fame, glory and riches. And more to do with no free time, putting out fires, receiving flak and very little gratitude. To take on that job one needs to have true passion for the sport and a maniacs working ethic...

 

[glennv]

Comparing to how it was before.... Bill you have my white card. Keep it up .

 

[BennyB]

Nice to see some back patting on here after a stressful few weeks.

If Bill had given out cards on his Judge's course, i'd give him a white card too. But I don't have a white card

Good time to say a hurrah to the rest of the AIDA board too, it's a completely thankless job but they keeps our sport ticking over :thankyou

Cheers,
Ben

 

[osusim]

If Bill had given out cards on his Judge's course, i'd give him a white card too. But I don't have a white card

Should we give to Bill yellow card for no cards after judge's course?

 

[pim]

Should we give to Bill yellow card for no cards after judge's course?

Then blame me for that as I print the cards :head :rcard

ciao ciao,
Pim

 

[BennyB]

I didn't mean those cards Pim, I meant the red, yellow and white ones

Grant gives them out on his judges course. But then again he charges more too, must be quality cards

 

[osusim]

Then blame me for that as I print the cards :head :rcard

So, you set up Bill and proud of that ...

 

[pim]

So, you set up Bill and proud of that ...

It is always fun to pick on your boss.... rofl

Saluti,
Pim

 

[ant williams]

I've been super impressed with Bills pragmatic approach to a seriously challenging role with AIDA. The progression of our sport relies on guys like Bill with his passion and drive.

It's rare in sport for a successful athlete to excel so quickly in the top job of managing and developing their sport internationally. In freediving Bill knows how to train, how to compete at a very high level and how to judge. As a result he consistently brings a predilection to focus on the athlete keeping their best interest in mind at record attempts and in competitions.

As an administrator he has judged numerous world record attempts, developed the best online ranking system we have ever had, offered open apologies when mistakes have been made and worked hard to make the system better.

Great job Bill. White card all the way.

 

[Paul Kotik]

While there is certainly no harm in acknowledging Bill's good work and dedication up to this point, and I for one certainly do, it seems to me that this unanimity with respect to the past shouldn't serve to take our attention away from the crisis that AIDA faces right now.

It's one thing to captain in calm seas, but quite another to steer the ship through the stormiest of waters. Leaders are measured, and remembered, for what they do in the most difficult of circumstances, not the routine ones. I hope Bill rises to the occasion, faces the issues squarely and transparently, acquits himself well and leads AIDA through to a better future. I believe he will!

 

[ADR]

I hope Bill rises to the occasion, faces the issues squarely and transparently, acquits himself well and leads AIDA through to a better future. I believe he will!

You are missing the point Paul....he already is!

 

[Paul Kotik]

You are missing the point Paul....he already is!

Not yet, he isn't. Observe.

 

[Paul Kotik]

"Birds fly, when they get tired they land. Man thinks, when he gets tired he says 'I understand'" - Japanese proverb


Tiger got to hunt,

Bird got to fly.

Man - got to sit and wonder:

Why, why, why??

Bokononist Slur