ADVOCACY, AD-ACT OF PLEADING FOR VINDICATION

The word advocacy is thrown about now-a-days more and more.  It's an ambiguous word and an even more ambiguous pursuit which spans a whole range of actions, from building new trails, to providing grant funding for dirt jump parks. What we here at Kona see in the dictionary definition of trail advocacy is happening right here in the real world. We have come from the days when we were literally pleading for access to the trails to where we are now. We have been vindicated in many, many instances, and have become a leader amongst outdoor groups. The immense amounts of volunteer hours and vast knowledge of trail issues, both in construction terms and sociologically, are truly above and beyond.

As the National Advocacy Director for Kona I often get pointed questions in an effort to have me to call out our fellow industry members that are perceived not to be doing enough for trail access. Repeatedly I spurn those questions and instead hold fast to what we believe here at Kona. We believe that people should be advocates to the level which is comfortable to them. Not everyone has the same passion for advocacy as is the case with so many other pursuits in life. Few of us Kona square pegs fit into those standardized round holes. As they say, it takes all kinds, and we believe in the end we all come out stronger.

I often get asked why we are involved in advocacy to such an extent. I prefer to turn that question around and instead ask "Why wouldn't you be involved in advocacy?" With all the great organizations out there like IMBA, getting involved in trail access issues has become easy. At Kona we're involved in advocacy because for us it is the right thing to do. It's not about the media coverage or accolades and awards. Definitely those things are nice but it's really about knowing we have contributed back to the sport we love so much. A sport that helps feed our families and our soul.

Happy Trails,

Mark Peterson, Resident Advocacy Dude