Key West Kiter....?

[onthefritz]

Went to Key West this past weekend and wanted to post this pic of someone I saw kiting North of FKCC (Florida Keys Community College). We were checking out the different sculptures (specifically the floating heads) around the island for the Sculptor Key West Exhibit and saw a kiter riding. I'm also curious where the rider launched from? It was a N,NW day and I wanted to kite, but had no boat or idea where he was able to launch from. Any info would be much appreciated.

Enjoy the photo.

Fritz

[greg meintjes]

the kiter near fkcc looks like Evaldez (Elvis) ,he proboably launched from a house on key haven,We went out later and launched from a boat in on the far side of the lagoon by publix,about a 1/4 of a mile from where he was riding. A boat launch is the only really safe way to ride there as you can anchor +- 1/2 a mile offshore wich keeps you far enough from the highway.
Years ago we used to jump the wall by the highway , then swim the channel and then walk out a few hundred feet and water launch,but its too much hassle most times.

Regards Greg

[ricki]

Hey Greg,

You left out that you did this in front of the Sheriff's office, crossing two busy lanes of Roosevelt and dropped down a seawall while flying a kite. How were the oysters? At least that I what I remember hearing from Paul before he found mm 18.5 (gone but not forgotten). Those were the days?! You guys are core.

[greg meintjes]

Hello Ricki, no ,we always pumped our kites up and connected our lines, then we would re wrap our lines and hold our kites while crossing the road and water launch.
When we used to launch in front of the college at the " sherrifs" public works office we would launch in the tared parking lot and have to climb down a little embankment between mangroves,but no one ever crossed the roads with their kites in the air to my knowledge, unless it was someone from out of town and did not know how we used to launch in those areas.

Greg

[ricki]

Ah, an urban myth bites the dust. I've been visualizing Paul doing that for years too. Just as well.

[onthefritz]

So that was you standing next to the sea wall Greg? Our next sculpture stop was the Lockness and I was going to stop and ask how you launch there. Thats the only conclusion that I could come up with, launching next to that busy street. I visit there often and hate it when its N, NW. Ill have to meet up with you guys next time.

[greg meintjes]

no, it was not us at the seawall,we launched from my boat on the far side of the lagoon,wich gave us about approx 700 to 1000 ft as a buffer zone from the road.

Greg.

[Greg]

no, it was not us at the seawall,we launched from my boat on the far side of the lagoon,wich gave us about approx 700 to 1000 ft as a buffer zone from the road.

Greg.

I saw a guy walking around the sea wall right at the very end across from the hotel with a blue Best board about a month ago.

[greg meintjes]

The guy with the Best board is Klaus,he has been kiting with us in Key West since 2000 and is aware of the launch conditions along the seawall.

Greg

[Danimal8199]

hey guys, I just wanted to chime in, I am coming to key west the last weekend of march. Without a boat what winds directions can I ride and what are the best places to launch besides smathers?

additionally are there people who take boats out to launch in different areas around key west that I can pay for a ride, and how much??

Any help is appreciated!

Danny

[ricki]

Smathers is pretty much it for Key West unless you are highly motivated and willing to take on some extra, perhaps a lot of risk. Key West has only one designated launch, that is at the extreme west end of Smathers Beach. Perhaps Greg has something to offer on this. See what the Florida KB Guide has to say about rideable wind directions at:

http://fksa.org/showthread.php?t=2278

The Kitehouse runs regular sea taxi out to the Key Flats rideable in winds from all directions. This has been highlighted in articles for some years now. Pretty interesting write ups too, surprised you never saw them before. If you're going to drive all the way to KW, best to plan on time out in the Flats in all that butter, shallow warm water, no powerlines, smelly beach bottom, etc..

More at:

http://fksa.org/showthread.php?t=427
http://fksa.org/showthread.php?t=5358
http://fksa.org/showthread.php?t=4846



http://www.fksa.org/albums/album326/Flats.jpg

[Danimal8199]

I've heard of some of the best places accessible by boat only, that goes for living here in Clearwater, fl on the gulf.

Thanks for the update. Woodson posted another thread about our trip down that maybe some people could offer some insight into. http://fksa.org/showthread.php?t=5710

Danny

[b-rad]

Hey Greg,

You left out that you did this in front of the Sheriff's office, crossing two busy lanes of Roosevelt and dropped down a seawall while flying a kite. How were the oysters? At least that I what I remember hearing from Paul before he found mm 18.5 (gone but not forgotten). Those were the days?! You guys are core.

Haaaa... I hate to say this, but we did this a few times...kind of around the time Paul and the guys went to Cuba. We even flew the kites over the road to "advertise" kiteboarding. Nobody new any better... Those were the days!!!

[greg meintjes]

Sorry still dont remember and Paul , myself and a few of the other kiters were living together and riding together on a daily basis.When the guys came down to do the Cuba crossing there was one( iffy ) launch everyone did near Publix and Sears ,but it was never a common thing.Sounds like you are doing a great job up there at Whale harbour.

Greg Meintjes

[b-rad]

thanks man...and no, it wasn't common...it sketched me out...but we had fun...we must have met if you were there at that time...I launched the guys off the beach (to Cuba)...bad with names, good with faces. Hope to see you soon-