Swim Zone Alert!!!

[ricki]

Guys,

Things are heating up and access is being challenged and even lost on SE Florida Beaches.

The most common cause is kiters riding within the swim zones on guarded beaches and too close to bystanders.

Reasonable people hearing this will decide to stay well beyond 100 yards offshore of guarded/threatened areas and not cause us all problems. Unreasonable people might ignore it.

We need to get this word out to people to think over and act upon, SOON. Talk about this with your friends, at your launches and try to get folks onboard with it. If swimming skills are lacking that is a whole different problem and should be remedied before kiteboarding. Impact vests/flotation are very good things and should always be worn. They shouldn't be worn to supplement poor swimming skills however.

You don't want to lose your privilege to ride which is happening right now in some areas. For guys that are unreasonable despite effective warnings, take note of what happens, have witnesses, photos/video are far better and share accurate information. Poorly supported, inaccurate or unwitnessed claims won't do anyone any good and should not be shared here.

[kitehi412]

Rick... what areas in Pompano are currently banned or in the process?
The kiters in our area here in Lauderdale by the Sea want to become
proactive to avoid same enforcement. Please send any suggestions you
have to keep access to our area.
We are planning a visit to city hall this afternoon with inquiries on how to
avoid future ban and suggestions on what the city would like regarding
possible registration, clubs, proof of insurance, etc...
Thanks....

[ricki]

Originally Posted by kitehi412

Rick... what areas in Pompano are currently banned or in the process?
The kiters in our area here in Lauderdale by the Sea want to become
proactive to avoid same enforcement. Please send any suggestions you
have to keep access to our area.
We are planning a visit to city hall this afternoon with inquiries on how to
avoid future ban and suggestions on what the city would like regarding
possible registration, clubs, proof of insurance, etc...
Thanks....

Everything outside NE 16th St. at this point, the entire rest of the City. We hope to be able to add a few more designated launch areas in negotiation with the City. NE 16th St. is already way too crowded at times.

Do you know Rodney? We met with the township a couple of times along with the BSO about access issues in 2005. We resolved some solutions but the issues seemed to wane and despite followup calls nothing else happened. I figured well enough, leave it alone. If the issues are heating up again, happy to try to help find some solutions with riders and government.