CAUTION, Limited Access - 16th Street In Pompano

[ricki]

Major construction work or beach renourishment is underway at NE 16th Street in Pompano Beach. Fenced compounds have been constructed to the east and west of the sea grape trees. The eastern compound covers up a good deal of the former launching corridor, the signs have been removed. I understand about 300 trucks of sand are to be run in and deposited on the beach over the next several weeks.



So the good news is we should have a larger beach, the bad news is that in the next 4 or so weeks it is going to be much smaller. FEWER Kiters can use this place until the construction is finished. It is hard to say but the current carrying capacity of kiters around the old launch area may now be limited to around ten riders. We have long lines, there is now fencing over a large area of the beach, there are still other beach goers and if there are enough of them, this small area will become even smaller. This also means particular care needs to be taken when on the beach with a kite up, I would keep it as short as possible, in and out and down. There is little room for miscalculations or accidents right now. It isn't like we can range all over the place away from the former launching corridor as complaints and renewed trouble lay in that direction, believe it.

ALSO, once they start moving sand on the beach, we may not be able to use this area at all or an even smaller area. So, think about using alternate spots for a while.

Remember, we've lost five parking spaces at the east end of the lot making tight parking quantities even tighter.



These GoPro images are deceptive, everything seems larger and further away in them than conditions actually are.

So, if in doubt hit another launch until the construction is cleared out. Or, if it is a popular beach day with people all over the place, think about going some place else with more room. This stuff will be out of here soon, it would be good to avoid problems in the interim particularly now that the wind season as started.

Thank you for helping to keep our access!

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[ricki]

Guys are riding on the inside, in the shore break and IN THE OUT OF BOUNDS swim zone. Bloody hell, do not do that here! There is a long history of problems, complaints and ban threats at this launch. If you want to ride close, go where it is allowed AND avoid complaints. Guys on downwinders pay particular attention. The deputy shown below had been called by bathers, fines could follow with repetition and/or a ban.


S.F. Windsports photo