John,
Wind permitting, you are staying near all the choice spots in the area.
Saint Pete Beach sounds like where you will be staying and you will be able to ride here on SW/W/NW winds. The conditions on SPB are favorable with outer sand bars which parallel the beach and open spots to launch which are relatively free of hazards and obstructions.
There is a beach bar just north of the Don CeSar called the Undertow which is a popular launch among the locals.
Fort Desoto is about a 10 minute drive southeast from St Pete Beach and you can kite here on any wind direction. The east side AKA East Beach has flat, shallow water with deeper water outside the sandbar towards the Skyway Bridge and Egmont Channel.
East Beach is kitable on NE/E/SE/S winds and SW here is side off shore.
There are a few obstructions on the launch site, trees, signs, trashcans etc, so launch in the most open spot you can find.
The water is shallow and warm in October so you wont need a wet suit, however I would recommend wearing aqua shoes as there are hazards such as old crab traps, rebarb, oyster shells and the like which can cause nasty lacerations.
No rules here really, just be courteous and use common sense.
We do ask that folks use a kite leash around other kiters and beach users, if you want to kite out in the middle of the bay or Gulf without a safety leash then go right ahead.
The local kite shop here is Watersports West 727- 517- 7000 and you can find out where and when its happening by calling John or Doug at the listed number.
Drop me an e mail a few days before you get here and I'll let you know how the wind is looking and if you need a ride to the launch we can arrange that.
Eagle
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