TRYING to lose access in Ft. Laud. ???!

ricki · #1 03-22-2010, 08:09 AM

Many years back, this used to be a problem, not so much anymore I thought. Still, yesterday, some folks doing a downwinder rode inside the buoys through the swim zone along Ft. Lauderdale Beach. The water was jammed with swimmers and some surf was running close to shore. Guards tried to get them to move out unsuccessfully. We don't need or want this sort of problem.

Do us all a favor and stay out of the swim zone, wherever they may be. We have a great relationship with the Ft. Lauderdale Beach Patrol largely through the efforts of Neil and some of the local crew. We can't afford repetition of something like this. It would be easy to lose the ability to launch at the boat area near the north end of Bahia Mar.

Talk to other kiters about this and get them on board with protecting access, for all of us.

ricki · #2 03-22-2010, 09:15 AM

Learning more details about this. It sounds like four or five kiters may have done this deliberately. They launched from well south of Bahia Mar, and deliberately rode through the swim area, riding back and forth along the guarded beach.

This is not representative of 99% of kiters. We know better. Not sure why a small handful of people would so something like this other than out of sheer stupidity, immaturity and lack of understanding of the consequences.

We need to get together and work to get past this, now.

BizGuru · #3 03-22-2010, 10:57 AM

Should kiters start calling the cops?

I HATE to have to get law enforcement involved but do you think it would be better to get a call from a concerned kiter over a pissed off bather?

ricki · #4 03-23-2010, 12:52 PM

Built some awareness, now let's work on solutions. These problems are limited to Ft. Lauderdale but by some accounts occur in spots worldwide. Some ideas are in motion on how to better manage things. So have at it, our sport and your ability to pursue it may be riding on how we do.

neil xrated · #5 03-24-2010, 11:08 AM

It really sucks, the amount of work everyone has done to keep FLL under control that a few people who just don't care for anyone but themselves, can just show up and threaten or local spot. Who are these guys? Lets call them out and put a stop to this.

neil xrated · #6 03-25-2010, 09:27 AM

Ok guys, I now know exactly who they are, have photos of them and direct quotes of why they are perposly doing this. Will post it all soon but I need everyones help to re post it, get the word out there and confront and stop them before it is to late and they achieve thier selfish goals

callaloo_kiter · #7 03-25-2010, 11:08 AM

These guys are absolute tools :shock:

kent · #8 03-25-2010, 11:12 AM

I saw the quotes as well. It's pretty shocking and will surely upset all local riders. I have to say that compared to the Hobie thing these FTL guys seem to be way worse.

Good luck Neil. I think you will have quite a bit of support given that any major closures along the coast will have a negative affect on many other areas as well. It's hard to believe that anyone would purposely try to close a spot for personal interest.

BizGuru · #9 03-25-2010, 12:09 PM

Where are these "Quotes" located?

neil xrated · #10 03-25-2010, 12:11 PM

Ken - putting the whole thing together right now and I will post it in a new topic here and facebook. Spread the word. Its time to stop this bullshit.