Hobie Beach Closing? Days are numbered??

[ricki]

This just went up in the private business forum. Considering how many riders not in the business use this launch AND the few remaining readily accessible public launches in Miami, I wanted to post it here as well.

Good luck to us. If we choose not to use our heads, luck is all that we have left.

Originally Posted by cabdriver

I just received 2nd hand word that Miami Dade County is already working on the signs to post at Hobie Beach to ban kiting. Apparently, this is in response to lessons being taught there. In order to operate a business at Hobie, and therefore teach a lesson, the operator must have a concession with the County. I guess that none have a concession? Since it's too dificult to distinguish between the schools and regular riders, the County would rather eliminate the whole thing.

What's worse, users of Hobie Beach (you know, the beer gut folks breaking bottles in the parking lot and blaring music out of their cars all day) have actually complained about US!! Unbelievable!! Anybody riding at Hobie should immediately change their habits to ride only on the outside of the swim bouys - stay out of the swim area whenever possible, even during launching and landing, and be vocal towards any other riders that are doing otherwise. Certainly don't even think of launching kites in the parking lot, or hanging out close to shore with you kite in the air.

This spot will surely be closed for this upcoming season otherwise. If anyone has any 1st hand information to add to this, please come forward. It's a terrible thing for any riding spot to be closed. This could spell the kiss of death on kiting in Miami.

Luck is for losers. I am sure you are aware of that Rick.

[Steve-O]

According to a local businessmen here in the bay area that has a vested interest in the watersports business, there was a case awhile back about conducting business in public places...ie. parks, beaches, lakes, ect. A bunch of local homeowners on a lake wanted to ban ski instruction on the lake, which was part of a county park system. Anwyays, the case went all the way to the state, was closed and ruled toward the defendent. As long as monetary business wasn't taking place on the property, it was completely legal to teach on the lake. The courts further stated it was legal to teach on any public property that was related to business. The key was no transaction of monetary gain was taking place on the park property.

The riding behavior in that area seems to be the problem however.

That's a sad story. In case it's not clear, I was saying that if people continually behave irresponsibly and then just continue to hope that luck will be on their side, that approach most likely won't work.

Anyway, hope it turns out well due to some properly taken actions.