Pompano Access Update

[ricki]

Thanks to the continued efforts of Frank Pelly over many months we have regained some lost ground in Pompano.

Question is will we keep it? Our actions and community support for sustainable kitesurfing will likely decide whether we keep access to this regained launch or lose it and likely more beyond that.

This is what Frank sent me:


Last night the city commission unanimously approved expanding the kiteboarding locations in Pompano Beach to include 13th street in addition to 16th street. This was the first of what will be two meetings and vote on the ordnance change. The next meeting will be later this month.

Couple of points.

1) Now that this has been publicized, I would expect some opposition. Everyone needs to be on their best behavior. Eyes of the city and residents will be watching. This can be voted down and we risk loosing our rights if there is a public outcry at the next meeting.

2) I posted below the code changes. Please note that these changes strengthens the language that we need to stay outside the buoys. Tickets and restrictions may ensue if this continues to be blatantly ignored.

3) The code change states “operators… are responsible for the safe operation of their equipment”. What this means is if you do not know what you are doing, you will be ticketed and asked to leave. This also means if folks continue to have the need to do tricks on or near the beach, you will be considered not operating your equipment safely and ticked and asked to leave. In drafting this, several folks from the city and advisory boards wanted lists of restrictions. This was written in to ovoid an ordnance which would have several do’s and don’ts, registration, registration fees etc etc. In fact this was originally presented to the Commission with the recommendation for life guards to monitor and manage the kiteboarders. This was the compromise I negotiated. If you have the urge to show off clost to the beach, and bring in unsupervised beginners, there are other beaches you can go to do this further north of Pompano. We live is a city and need to work with what little we can get.

4) If this is approved at the next meetings, I will be working with the city to post appropriate signage. The signage I am negotiating would, in addition to the one posted at 16th street, state that swimmers and beachgoers should stay out of the kite areas. 13th street will need to sailboats removed as well which the city will support. This would help with some of the congestion and safety issues.

This is it. With all the restrictions taking place in South Florida, we have managed to expand our use of the beaches. We need to embrace these changes and work together now to preserve what we have.


Here is the new ordinance:




Thanks Frank! Now that we have 13th St. back, let's take real good care to keep it, ok? We need everyone's help in doing this.


Things like ...

1. Launch, get offshore through the launch corridor without delay, get out past the buoys and stay out until time to come in.

2. NO RIDING inside the buoys. Want to ride the shore break, go somewhere else where this isn't usually a problem.

3. Learning to stay upwind? Sad to say, you need to go somewhere else, for now.