NEW Distance Race Cocoa Beach - Vero

ricki · #1 03-17-2009, 06:27 PM

I am still trying to find out how to setup a poll on here. Used to know how to do it on the last software package. Hope it is an option with the current setup.

Didn't you say guys regularly do downwinders off the airbase Kent? That is some pretty useful local info, as I've said my knowledge of issues in the area is years old. At that time there were problems heating up. It has been suggested running further offshore of the base. I think I was close to a mile off the south side of Lake Worth Inlet the 60 mile run before last to Ft. Lauderdale. It isn't that hard to do and could make a big difference in this case. Once again, this would be a great time for AJ to provide some input on his race. There is interest but there are also concerns, time for some information exchange.

ricki · #2 03-17-2009, 06:51 PM

AJ just gave me a call with a summary of things. He spoke to various USCG, Air Force and related personal at five offices related to Patrick AFB and the area. He described the race, what is involved and verified there were no problems with the activity. All parties he spoke with said they didn't have a problem with the race going past the airbase baring landing there or loitering off the base.

AJ told me after the start he will drive down to the north area of the base where to the boardwalk and verify that kiters stay a reasonable distance off shore, several hundred yards or more and successfully get past the base. He will intercede with issues that arise but from current statements, there shouldn't be any.

This is AJ's deal, not mine, but it sounds like fun and seems to be ok with the authorities. NOTE: this doesn't mean it is OK to launch and kite off the base because it is not. Locals likely know this already from years past. He will provide a lot more detail in the party and Captains meeting.

Boschoss · #3 03-17-2009, 07:02 PM

I was VERY concerned about the race crossing through PAB. I know that they do not want kiters there at all. I called A.J. and asked him about it. He seems to think it will be OK. But I am still very concerned about it. Especially since this is my backyard and not his.

Anyone participating in this race PLEASE STAY AS FAR OUT AS POSSIBLE! You do not want to be greeted by a helicopter and machine guns.

Also...It is SPRING BREAK. The beaches have been PACKED! I do not see how tons of riders are going to possibly launch from Cherie Down. We rode there today at like 3:00 and the beach was very crowded. The race is going to be on a weekend too! You couldn't possibly launch 40 kites there on a Saturday. Not to mention all the swimmers up and down the beach!!! PLEASE STAY FAR OFFSHORE IN COCOA BEACH if you do participate.

If you are in the Cocoa Beach area and need anything for the race...stop by the Ron Jon Surf School and check out the ONLY kite shop in the area by Good Breeze Kiteboarding. The Surf School is two blocks north of the main Ron Jon Shop behind the Pizza Hut. We are also doing a Kite, SUP and Surf Demos in the main Ron Jon Surf Shop on the next two Fridays (3/20 and 3/27) between 2-4. Ride safely and call me with any questions about Cocoa Beach.

Billy Bosch (386-235-9804)

Boschoss · #4 03-17-2009, 07:26 PM

I just want to make it clear that Good Breeze Kiteboarding and the Ron Jon Surf School are NOT involved in anyway with this race. I hope that it is successful and runs smoothly. I will try to get away from work to check it out. Good luck to all riders!

kent · #5 03-17-2009, 07:53 PM

Great points Bos. I spoke with AJ as well and he is planning on addressing the distance issue around PAFB. As far as the launch is concerned, if we are off the beach at 10 am as planned, i can't imagine that this will be an issue if i can use Miami Beach as an example.

Apart from the base, i think that bringing a well attended event to this part of the state is a good thing. The area has suffered by not having many organized events and i think that it will probably be a benefit to the local kite scene in the long run. I for one totally understand the need to preserve access and will do my part to minimize our impact.

I'd sure like to see how many riders might be attending. Shout out if you plan on heading up.

Kent
Damo
Gebi
Josh "the npx guy"

are all in. see you there.

CrazyJay · #6 03-17-2009, 08:19 PM

Thanks 4 putting this event on so quickly AJ. Hopefully the wind Gods will bless your race as they blessed our TampaBay KiteMasters several weeks ago.

For us out-of-towners, can you give precise locations of the start and finish? What hotels, crossroads, etc..
Sorry if I missed this info somewhere along the way.
Thanks
Jayson Orkins

kitebdr1962 · #7 03-17-2009, 08:53 PM

Hey Guys. I am sorry that I have not been on this forum, but I have been busy with issues. I have talk to "People" at PAFB, they have said it will not be a problem. I will make sure of that after the start of the race, and put myself down at the boardwalk, to make sure everyone stays off the beach. If there is any law enforcement issue's, I will handle them before I start the race myself..I do know that this is Spring Break Time, but the race is going to happen early in the morning on Saturday, hopefully before the crowds get there. I too am from this area, and have been here kiting for over 10 years, so I can call this my own backyard, per say. I too do not want anything to happen to this Sport, and the business that it generates.I will be posting more info on the race in the morning, so be sure to check back on the forum..I want to give a "Shout Out" to Rick and Kent for helping Me to make this happen, Thanks Guys...Hope to see everyone at the party, if not, at the race site Saturday morning, 9:00...

kitebdr1962 · #8 03-17-2009, 09:13 PM

Hey everyone, its me again, I have figure out how to use this forum, scary..to you Jayson, there is a place to stay after the race, Caribbean Court. this is the place that We will be holding the Trophy presentation and it is the finish line also...Google it...Vero Beach...google Cherie Downs, Cocoa Beach..If you can not find it, Rick does have a aerial photo of the Start site coming soon, and it will show more. I am getting emails about PAFB, and I have all the answers to give, but this why you need to attend the Skipper's Meeting Friday night or one hour before start on Saturday, which will be at 10:00, therefore the meeting will be at 9:00..Just to let you know, this Race is for experienced kiteboarder's and there will be no chase boat to help you, but all Lifeguards along the route are aware of the event.

Overall route of race, about 55 miles

Approximate starting line in area of:
Cherie Down Parks
8492 Ridgewood Ave, Cape Canaveral

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A view to the NE, may or may not have land wind shadow at this location depending on actual wind direction. Would be good to watchout for rotor and stalling kites on launch anyway.

Patrick AFB approximate 10 miles south of starting line. Aside from aircraft flying in and out, is there a real obvious landmark near the northern boundary that out of towners will easily remember and recognize from the water?

Sebastian Inlet, the only inlet crossed by the race

Approximate finish line in area of:
E Causeway Blvd & Highway A1a, Vero Beach, FL 32963 US

All the locations shown are approximations as I am not totally certain of your exact starting and stopping locations.

Approximate intervals between waypoints of race:

Start to Cocoa Beach Pier (stay 300 ft. away minimum) 1.7 miles
Pier to Patrick Air Force Base 7 miles
North to south distance along Patrick AFB 3.5 miles
Patrick to Sebastian Inlet 26 miles
Sebastian Inlet to finish 17 miles

ricki · #9 03-17-2009, 11:31 PM

There are your aerial photos AJ. The scale isn't so great, it is hard to make out a lot of detail in them. You will need to mark the finish well, I suspect Kent has already talked to you about that given the apparent lack of real obvious landmarks for people unfamiliar with the area.

The shoreline there has lots of hotels and likely college students too currently. Your idea of staying at least 350 ft. offshore in this area and further off Patrick Air Force Base makes good sense based on the aerials. Patrick AFB is about ten miles south of the start.

It looks like the wind may be a bit up and down from the NORTH currently forecast (may change again!) at the start due to land wind shadow from the point north of the inlet (Cape Canaveral). I would expect gusts and lulls during launching and space out and manage your kites accordingly to try to avoid tangles, and get offshore pronto into cleaner air.

Boschoss made a lot of points worth considering and acting upon in his posts.

I know you are doing complete planning and execution for this Kitetricity event including safety planning and will be briefing participants thoroughly on things to do, not do and watch out for. I hope to make it up but may not be able to do so. Either way, have fun and be safe. By the way, what are you calling your distance race anyway?

kitebdr1962 · #10 03-18-2009, 08:12 AM

Hey Everyone...

We are a go for Saturday morning...Forecast is looking like NE winds, 15 to 25...We will start the race at 10:00 a.m. Sharp....Skippers meeting at 9:00, and you must be there to hear it..Fee for the race will be done at 8:30 til 9:00...25.00 check or cash, NO CARDS..There will be a pre-race party Friday night at Liar's Pub, 3800 US1, Grant, Fl. 32950, and a Skippers Meeting there too, around 8:00. You can pre-pay there also before the race Saturday..Just to let everyone know, I have been working with PAFB, and all that info will be told at the Skippers Meeting, Friday and Saturday..The Race is "ON"...There will be a 36 hour notice coming soon..Get ready Riders, it is going to be a blast, and tons of fun, that is what this is all about..Be sure to check out the FKA forum, there is stuff there to read, and I will try and update info there also...Rick has put up a aerial view on this forum, thanks Rick..The start line will be at Cherie Downs Park, at the corner of Washington Ave and Ridgewood Ave, which is just south of Ron jon resort..Be sure to look it up, and be there for the meeting and start, not at the resort..The finish line will be marked well, so that should not be a problem..btw if anyone has people following them down, for a support team, be sure to have them take pictures at the Cocoa Beach Pier, and at the Sebastian Inlet Bridge on top of it, should make for some awesome shots..fyi, this race does not have a name, and I am just trying to keep a flame going here for neil, because we know that his Race/event will be back next year. I know about the local knowledge very well, and I know that there are some new shops that just opened up there. I will back sure that We do not cause any problems up that way for their future business. If anyone has family memebers that want to help in anyway, have them see me Friday night or Saturday morning around 8:30..Thanks Again for all the help Rick and Kent. Hope to see everyone soon..A.J...