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

[ricki]

Thanks for posting Chad. Folks on your coast are extremely fortunate to have a lifeguard who also kites, take the trouble to give a heads up about a potential serious problem on the local forum. This in the interest of avoiding problems for kiters, other beach patrons or the guards. I am having trouble recalling another similar instance anywhere in the state in the eight years the FKA Internet sites have been around.

Thanks again for that. I've put up a couple of sat. images of the area Chad is describing. I thought kiting was banned along Clearwater Beach in general for some years, shows it isn't as bad as that, yet. I would say to follow what Chad is describing (he is with the authorities after all), and promote it among kiters particularly those at the beach and in the shops. Why not pull together, doesn't seem to be much room for descent for what he is suggesting, at least not from folks that want to keep us flying there.


The more heavily populated and restricted area to the south. Need to stay well beyond the swim buoys here. Also, launching and landing well to the north is recommended in less crowded areas, correct? It sounds like avoiding this area in general, at least anywhere near the buoys would be a good idea for now.


The area to the north with fewer issues as I understand it.

Particularly with a new administration in place, it seems a no brainer to work hard to avoid any repeats of a day of incidents like what Chad described. Stay out of the buoyed swim areas, would save a lot of problems statewide for kiters in many cases. Good luck and really appreciate your comments on here Chad.

[Steve-O]

Thanks Chad....well said.

Does this mean I can't give you the finger any more when I ride by???

[FloridaBoarder]

I would be upset too if I saw a bunch of kiters rip down the coast and all I could do was watch.

Your right Chad, kiters do not belong inside the swim zone.

[Big D]

Thanks Chad for reminding all the downwind riders that the beaches are getting crowded !!! And we must stay outside the swim areas... Please let this be the last time this season we hear of the crew inside the swim area ... LEAD BY EXAMPLE !!!!!!

[Steve-O]

Spoke with one of the riders today on the downwinder with the kite issue.

It sounds to me like it was a situation with an out of control kite. The rider had lost control of the kite and got wrapped in the lines somehow which sent the kite spinning out of control on a course toward the beach. Once at the beach, he just wanted the tangled kite off of him. Luckily, one of the lifeguard responded appropiately and cut the lines. I am sure Chad had something to do with prep. in this situation. Thanks Chad for additional lifeguard training on how to handle problems out there.

It doesn't sound to me like this was a blatant act of kiting inside the swim zones, but a actual rescue situation with a kiter in trouble. Good job to all to prevent any kind of injury.

With the kiter in question, a look should be done on going out in conditions beyond your ability. It seems that the other riders questioned your ability to be out there. With that said they can keep an eye on you but only do so much. Feel lucky that this happened within the vicinity of trained lifeguards and could cut you free. You may have not been so lucky and would have taken some time to disolve the situation.

Keep in mind, the only person that truly knows what happened was the person tangled. Maybe he can speak up.

I do see alot of people that get into the Gulf on some of the heavier days and are not quite ready. The best form of kiting safety is prevention and knowing your limits.

Great reminder to all about swim zones and kiting safely. A great use of this forum.

[Chad085]

yeah, it does suck to just watch you all go by, by the way i see it, one has to have a job to pay the bills. And since pro kiteboarding doesn't seem to be in my future, i'll take the next best thing i can find. Spending 40 hours a week on the beach, training and getting wet everyday, sneaking in a surf session (this morning was nice) and helping people out, even though most of them don't deserve it, and getting paid for it all suits me pretty well!!

I'm glad to see that the tone and point of my post was taken as I intended. This hasn't really even become an issue yet, but all the ingredients are on the table and it wouldn't take much to start the roast. We (lifeguards) don't enjoy telling someone that they CAN'T do something, but at the same time, our reason for being does have to be justified in the eyes of city budget- choppers. And we definetly don't need to get off on the wrong foot with some new supervisor snooping around on a beach he knows nothing about.

None of the other guards kite, but they all respect the sport and are impressed with some of our local talent that rides by. 30 foot Mega loops are still sick 50 yards further away!!! and just so you know, the girls that you were trying to impress are probably only 14. However, due to the hormones pumped into the mcdonald's chicken they've been eating, their looks can be decieving. This phenomenon is much more frustrating than watching you guys throw down while i'm at work......

Thanks rick for the support and your research on posting those images. I think we have a pretty tight group on this end of the county, and a friendly reminder is all we need. Ride safe fellas, i'll see you on the water