Kiteboarding Positives or "Why Responsible Kiting Should Be Supported By Government"

[ricki]

Doing some brainstorming for factors in support of kiteboarding along with several leading kiteboarders in the area. See the text below and download below for the version including photos. This is intended to be used to support our sport when access is threatened, like now. It would be good to grow the document through time.

Other ideas?

Thanks!


Kiteboarding Is Going Mainstream throughout Florida, in fact Worldwide


• Kiteboarding/kitesurfing is the newest, up and coming watersport in the world with an estimated growth rate of over 30% per year. Florida is a natural destination for this sport.
• There are an estimated 300,000+ participants worldwide, around 100,000+ core participants.
• Mayor Lamar Fisher of Pompano said in a Commission meeting that he wants to learn kiteboarding to join in the fun. This followed a unanimous vote to double the designated areas for kiteboarding in the City.
• High profile figures also are avid kiters, including Sen. John Kerry, cyclist Lance Armstrong, Sir Richard Branson, to name a few.


• Kiteboarders are assets to seaside communities providing an intriguing view for visitors.
• Many cities have individually spent tens of thousands of dollars to promote kiting events
• 60% of kiteboarders are between 31 and 60+ years of age, many are respected professionals and businessmen
• "...the over-50 set is embracing kiteboarding faster than any other watersport in history." - AARP Magazine http://www.aarpmagazine.org/travel/kiteboarding.html


Kiteboarders are good to have around in Emergencies
• Kiteboarders are often strong watermen, at home in heavy seas and have rescued numerous people in distress worldwide.
• Kiteboarders have a unique high vantage point and exceptional mobility in harsh weather which can serve in identifying people in distress and rescuing
• A 64 year old kiteboarder recently towed a small disabled boat 200 yds. to safety with his kite while over a mile offshore. The boat was close to capsizing in six foot seas throwing two people into the ocean. Jacksonville Rescue was unable to reach the boat due to surf conditions.
• The next day, this same 64 year old man rescued a man on disabled waverunner in the process of succumbing to the hypothermia.
• Still more notable and dramatic rescues have been performed around Florida and the world. A kiter saved a father and his two sons shortly after the father had decided he soon must drop one son into the water in order to save the other through sheer exhaustion. The despair of the father in the throes of this horrible choice is beyond imagining. Fortunately, the kiter spared him and his family from this tragic act. Kiters can and have saved lives.



Kiteboarding is recognized as a healthy, “Green” activity

• The sport is “Green” in that it is WIND driven. Nextera Energy, a subsidiary of FPL, has been using kiteboarding to promote sustainable energies (WIND). They believe that the sport captures the essence of the Green movement.
• There are International Kiteboarding training and certification organizations such as IKO and PASA.
• The safety of the sport has revolutionized since 2005 with the emergence of BOW kites, offers complete depower when letting go of the bar.
• Kiteboarders are environmentalists, members of Surfrider Foundation and advocates for a clean, safe beach.
• Kiteboarders provide orientation to the United States Life Saving Association and rescue squads
• Kiteboarding is a new sport with a close-knit community with an interest to self-police wrong-doers abusing the sport’s vitality.
• Kiteboarders support charities including Kite4Cancer, raising over $100,000 last year. Local kiteboarder and national leader in the sport, Neil Hutchinson, hopes to raise over $150,000. as the Event emcee this year.

[ricki]

Sorry had some trouble uploading the latest version of the attachment. It is in there now.