Lost at Sunset Beach
 

Common Sense!!!!!

It's getting crowded there and some don't have any regard for right-of-way (starboard), riding close to the beach, crashing kites on the beach, jumping close to the beach, absolutely no regard for safety. Keep this up and we'll lose this launch site eventually. Then Howard Park is next.

It was nice back in 2002 when there were only two of us there.

Sad but true Jake. There is increase in new riders at SB and HP but the concern lies in the veteran population as well. History shows over and over that it is reckless riding behavior by experienced riders that get spots shut down. This is highlighted in the latest Kiteboarded mag discussing access issues and solutions. Check out this link http://www.thekiteboarder.com/2010/1...ur-beach-open/

I think the first step is recognizing there is a problem.
The second step is coming together to create solutions.
Final step is putting plan into motion, sticking to it, and having consequences for those that continue to jeopardize access.

The Belmont crew got it right and will enjoy access for a ling time.

I'm not sure what the Sunset crew has planned, but I hope that they have at least gotten to the first step.

The clock is ticking. It wont stay cold forever and the public will be back soon enough. Keeping that public from complaining will be the key to continued access.

Well Jake, at least there is one other person that sees what I see.

I'll make it a priority to talk to some of the regulars there. There are a couple of experienced riders who are guilty, but I think most of the regular crew follow the rules and realize that our access can be taken away.

I'm about to become an a$$hole. I am going to try and be nice about things for a while. It seems that some people don't get the point until you really drive it home. I know I will have the support and backing of Steve-O and the guys from North Country.

We can't have a ban at these spots like in Miami, or lose FHP again.

Danny Johnson

Here is my number, i'll put my money where my mouth is. If anyone wants to talk safety or good riding practices I'm all ears and in full support of a constructive discussion

407-902-8484

Boo Yeah!

I'm all in
 

Oh yeah,
We need to step our efforts to protect our sites. I really agree with the Belmont beach group. Let me know when and where and I will show up with my wallet. :O)

removed

I'm in...
 

The facts are in...numerous active instructors teaching what? 10-20 students a season? Minimum?

Finite number of launch sites.

Crowding and incidents are going to occur. Sooner rather than later.

Those with skills need to set the example. Set up, launch, and get away from the beach.

Get upwind and get away... It's never crowded upwind...

If showing off near the beach is your thing, then you need to wait until the groms and noobs are out of there.

For you long time kiters, sorry but it's not 2004 anymore. You have to use your skills to make room. If you crowd a noob he/she is 100 times more likely to have a problem and cause an incident. Sucks, but it's how it is.

So, organize, post simple but clear rules, and follow them.

Never been to Rickenbacker in Miami, but losing a launch hurts all the way up here....

Gives the haters power...

Good points, Rando. Simple. Common sense.
After all these years of watching this stuff, I still think the best way to get a good start on this situation is to have all the local instructors agree to some basic riding standards to be followed by themselves as well as their students.

I am not big on rules. Just a few simple ones. Don't jump kids at the beach, don't spray watching unknown bystanders at EB, don't zoom through the swim zone at beach Mach 2 when there are people out there, and stay 2 kite line lengths away from shore in on-shore/side-on conditions. These are common sense to me, to avoid aggravation/injury to bystanders and lessen odds of losing access. Still, I see this stuff all the time.

It's obvious to me that instructors (most are good, but some aren't) influence their students more than any other people. A few bad instructors can have an unreal negative influence on local scenes - as evidenced in Miami.
Instructors can also choose to step it up and make a stand to set a good example. Sort of blows my mind that they have backed away from this request in the past (to list some basic common sense rules and publicly agree to them). It's never too late to step up.