FLORIDA GUIDE - SE COAST, Key West
 

Key West

Provided by Paul Menta, The Kitehouse
http://thekitehouse.com/

For the beach launch there is only one, east end of smathers beach
wind directions that are good...east ,south or a mix of those, any north or heavy west, no good. rule, kite must stay over water, launch and go, no jumping on beach. Local kiters are very helpfull if you have questions, and very unhappy if you are doing something stupid to jeprodize the spot. season is good oct-may mostly sand and sea grass bottom

The flats- wind directions all! sand bottom, areas of 12 miles, knee deep, you need a boat to get there. rules dont mess with the birds, and dont litter, also there is over 12 miles of sapce, dont set up next to the school, you will be asked to move.

you get the best deals at the guest houses, also look at http://www.h2okeywest.com/, they will give you the deal.
resturants you have to do:

The grand cafe on Duval [chef Paul menta of the kite house is there]
B.O.'s fish wagon on caroline st-awesome fish , fritters and fries, fish is caught that day!

The Rusty Anchor in Stock Island, pan fried yellow tail, or key west pink shrimp, huge portons

Bars:
Yeah do Sloppy Joes, but if you want to go where the locals go, stop at The Green Parrot, we say its where the wierd go pro!

Regular kiteboarding events.

A large downwinder event is in the works for the New Year.

We are in Key west, where it is relaxed. A drinking town with a tourist problem.....more wind than the main land in the fall winter and spring, lots of options, alot of unknown spots that you need to ask a local or the kite house. Warm winters! Great night life and kiting, what more do you need.

Photos from Key West at:
http://fksa.org/viewtopic.php?t=618
http://fksa.org/viewtopic.php?t=68