Kite in the highway cause car accident.

[Steve-O]

In my opinion, as a seasoned veteran instructor of the Tampa Bay area, the Skyway rest area is no place for a beginner. Onshore winds mostly and many, many, down wind hazards. Unfortunately, many schools operate at this launch and invite beginners to use this location. This will not be the last of highway accidents caused by kites at this location.

The school I have managed for 6 years now does not permit lessons at the skyway rest area as there are better options. In addition we do not recommend to any of our beginners to use the Skyway as place to get their water time. This is the responsible choice to make as we advise beginners a safe entry into the wonderful sport.

Intermediate/Advance riding spot is how this is defined in our ride maps for the Skyway rest area.

It is the most visible spot for kiteboarding to the public in the Tampa Bay area. It makes business sense to set up shop there, but it does not make any ethical sense to me to conduct beginner lessons at this location. Yes under supervision, lessons can be conducted there. However, beginners will come back and make plenty of mistakes. i.e.....kites on highway causing accidents.

If the riders of the Tampa Bay area truly care about their access, a group should be formed to come together and solve these difficult problems regarding access and responsible business practice. The north county has come together and united as the North County Kiteboarding Community. Our mission is to preserve access through education and distribution of information. If you are interested in forming such an alliance, feel free to PM me and I will get you started. However, what you decide to do is up to you. I will only offer advice but not be in charge as it will be viewed as bias since I am in the industry.

To do nothing is just watching a ticking time bomb. What if the car accidents caused a death?

Food for thought.

Steve Visnage
School Manager
Watersports West Kitesurfing Team