Sarsota Kiteboarders' Coalition

[ricki]

This just in from Laurel:

Originally Posted by kitesurfher

Calling all Kiteboarders--------------

If you have ever kiteboarded in Sarasota or ever hope to we could sure use your help in expanding the numbers of our organization. The more members we represent, the more our credibility and clout with County Government.

The Sarasota Kiteboarders' Coalition was formed last Friday evening by a handful of Sarasota kiters, in response to a proposal that is being put before the County Commissioners that would ban kiteboarding on ALL Sarasota County Beaches, both public and private.

OK, that WAS the wording, we were dealing with on Friday. At this writing, we have achieved a tremendous jump on the issue and County Staff has revised their recommendations to the County Commissioners in regard to Kiteboarding. Instead of a ban, the preliminary wording of the proposed regulations are as follows:

DRAFT CH90 REGS: (lacks Audubon input)

under the heading of AIR SPORTS

KITEBOARDING ON PUBLIC BEACH PARKS AND BEACHES WATERWARD THEREOF

* 200' setback along water's edge from edges of swim zones for launching activities

* Kites deployed away from pedestrian foot traffic and bird nesting areas

* Kites give way to swimmers/pedestrian traffic

LANDBOARDING

* Banned from public beach parks and beaches waterward thereof


In a meeting hastily arranged with County Staff on Monday morning that took place at 3:00 Monday afternoon, we were able to ascertain the motivation behind the ban; public safety and nesting and migratory bird population impact.

Through discussion, we were able to come to an understanding that we have a track record of 12 years of Kiteboarding on Sarasota County Beaches, without significant incident or complaint from the public.

It was established that the "Bad Boy" image that was perceived of Kiteboarding from County Staff's explorations on the internet, does not reflect the reality of our local Kiteboarding communities participants and their practices.

Assuring staff that our self policing policies that have been in place up to now, have worked, went a long way in furthering our cause and giving staff members cause to reconsider their reccommendations.

Perhaps most importantly, the demonstration that we can launch and land without disturbing the birds, has gotten us reconsideration. That practice has to be sold to the Audubon and Fish and Wildlife officials. I am working on that.


IF you would like to help us out by joining please send me an e-mail to that effect right away. I hope to have 100 members by Monday. Your information will not be used or made available for any purpose other than communication on this subject.

You may also telephone 941-587-1009 and say this is me and I want to Join, and you will be counted.

Our mission statement is simple: To promote safety and preserve access for kiteboarding on Sarasota County Beaches


thanks, in advance for your support

see you on the water soon


Laurel Kaiser