Lost Kiting Access To Crandon Park Today

[ricki]

Today, I understand Crandon Park was closed to kiting because guys were riding too close to shore and despite reportedly being warned today to stay offshore they refused to do so. The Park Manager apparently shut down kiting access as a result in frustration.



Crandon Park, Miami


We initially lost access at Crandon, (13 years ago!) for the same reason and many times after. Folks, time to get a clue and look after your privilege to ride. Forget about sneaking in to ride in the out of bounds wildlife area. to load up beyond the maximum 25 riders allowed and to hotdog too close to shore. Just follow the rules to try to protect your access.

Tonight, with dead onshore, occasionally light wind, a bunch of guys were routinely riding well inside the swim zone buoys at NE 16th St, Pompano. This also has threatened access at this launch many times over the years. The rules are on the sign at the launch, please promote them at the launch. Ride outside the swim buoys. If your don't have a big enough kite, board or have enough skill to edge out, ride some place else. Your access may depend on the kiting community, not a hand full of the same guys stepping up to protect our privilege to ride here.



NE 16th Street, Pompano Beach


This is a problem for the kiting community, at Crandon, Pompano and at all launches. Take care of your access, if you have rules, work to have everyone at the launch follow them. It is in your best interest to do so. Ignore it, as so many have for so many years, you may lose out, again.

[miamikiteboarding]

Yes Rick, indeed, the park manager , shut down on that Day : Fortunately it is NOT a permanent closure...he just gave a lesson to everyone and reminded us for the beginning of the season that he takes the boundaries and regulations in place very seriously and apply a 0-TOLERANCE policy .

Our beach marshal has repeatedly call back several riders, but by the time they got back to shore , the manager felt like shutting down .

Ironically our new jetski was at service for the weekend which would have avoided the situation to worsen.

But in conclusion :

- if you know you can't make it upwind through the corridor = come back and give up or swicth to a bigger kite / board.
- if the marshall is calling you then you certainly violated a rule or ride in the wrong area. Comply and head back to beach or it will be a definitive expulsion
- riders who will enter the no-kite zone ( 600ft), or jump in the corridor , or not body-dragging the first 100 ft from shoreline, will be immediately EXPULSED .

We have passed directives to beach marshal and lifeguards to apply the 0-Tolerance rule.

It will be done from now on with NO EXCEPTIONS. Regardless of who is the riders , (especially if its a Team member )!
So no need to get emotional, upset, furious or put it on those guys, they JUST ENFORCE THE RULES as the Park has mandated us to do ..and if they dont do it , the manager will still shut down the beach FOR ALL anyway .

The choice is easy on our side : 2 or 3 riders kicked out vs 20 kiters and all our lessons cancelled ? no kidding ...
Many kiters dont seem to have understood the seriousness of the rules: they want BY THE BOOK as it says on the Map and the Rules .

So we are going to stick to our contract as we are mandated to .

I re attached the MAP and the new visual rules below.

Simply dont be the one cheating from now on, or everyone will ask you to leave as none of us want to get shut down again because of 2 or 3 individuals who don't give a dam.

thank you
the team



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