clearwater beach riding

[Chad085]

ok guys, next time you do a downwinder past clearwater beach, at least PRETEND like you can see the swim area signs. Most of you probably know that i work out there full time as a lifeguard, and i can speak for all the guards when i say that we are watermen, and not police officers. Which is why, when its 50 degrees out and there isn't a single person swimming, you most likely haven't encountered much oppostion. (As though a whistle and a flag can really stop something) Today i saw a pretty close call between a kiter and swimmer that sounded a few whistles from my co worker. I pretty much know everyone personally that rides clearwater, but i didn't recognize this guy, and have seen some new faces out there lately, which is why i am posting this. In addition, there was another incident today where a kite crashed on the beach and the rider somehow got his lines wrapped around his ankle, and had to be cut free by one of the guards. I didn't see this happen, and it was described to me by a non-kiter, so details are of course a bit vague.

This post is NOT the result of some kind of THREAT, BAN or other B.S., and i don't wish to start forum drama with 13,000 views. I am in a unique position on this one, having a foot on both sides of the equation, and feel a bit obligated to nip this one in the a$$ before it even remotely smells like trouble.

The swim area poles have been moved seaward about 25 yards on the north end, so the outside sandbar is now within the swim area and those fun little peelers are now in-bounds. Surfing IS allowed on the north end basically from rockaway north, but there is no rule that i'm aware of for or against kiting. I will look into this more thoroughly. However, as we all know clearwater beach in general is often very crowded and leaves no room for rigging and launching unless you are north of somerset dr, which is out of the swim area anyways, and takes care of itself.

Lets just be the better crowd on this one and respect the boundaries (myself included) and not give anyone a reason to say or do anything. The beach patrol's supervision has been moved to the parks and rec department, which means we have new bosses, who have admittedly never been to clearwater beach. Some of these new faces have been making random, cameo appearances on the beach.

Let's not show them a slim chance- missed bar- crash with a kite on the beach right next to the pier.......please