[ricki]

- In large measure cost us access to Hobie Beach and all of Rickenbacker Causeway in Miami

- Riding too close to shore has caused or is still causing access problems in:

Pompano Beach
Ft. Lauderdale
Lauderdale By-The-Sea
Miami Beach
Hobie Beach/Rickenbacker Causeway (banned)
Virginia Key Beach (banned)
Crandon Park (restricted)
Matheson Hammock
Key West
Islamorada
Hollywood
Dania Beach
John U Lloyd State Park (banned)
Deerfield Beach
Boca Raton
Delray Beach (regulated by law)

It is EASY to avoid these problems. Stay outside out of bounds areas and motivate other kiters with your friends to do the same.

Where we've gotten people to stay offshore in the above list, these access hassles have largely faded away. There are places you can ride close to shore, popular kite launches at most of these places aren't among them. This is a heavily populated area, about 6.25 MILLION people within ten miles of the beach. Most kiters aren't wimps, they're watermen at ease in the water and offshore, so why not go there and get out of the shallows causing problems. Wear an impact vest and if your swimming skills are weak, build them up. How many more lost launches do we want? Your choice.