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#1
06-29-2009, 11:08 AM
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Quote:
__________________
"I LOVE the smell of WIND in the morning... Smells like..... KITING!!" "The biggest drawback of kiteboarding is the adverse effects it has on getting anything else done." 
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#2
06-29-2009, 11:59 AM
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In regards to Howard park, the parks in pinellas have been disamated with budget cuts, there's hardly a staff of 3 in every park now. Once the new budget year goes in in October, the parks may only have one person working their during the day. I'd like to set something up to ride there but in years past Howard was for the windsurfers and sunset for kiters. Howard Park isn't going to open till December now. But if it alleviates the congestion at sunset I'm all for it.
As for sunset beach, just a reminder, riders should be out the launch area, I seen alot of kites hogging the beach area and not riding. Either land the kite or launch upwind of the beach and away from the swim area and go.
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#3
06-29-2009, 01:36 PM
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Brian, I wish everyone could see how whale harbor operates. That is an example where not having proper etiquette is not tolerated and it seems that things run pretty smoothly there especially for having such a small launch area.
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#4
06-29-2009, 03:11 PM
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Your kidding right? There were more accidents at Whale Harbor this year than anywhere in the keys. Kites in the trees all the time, a girl lofted to the top of a tree after no body told her the kite was too big. An out of control kite from one of the instructors death looping and hitting a model in the resort next door. Riders hitting sliders that are parked on the beach so know one will hit them. Kiteloops 10 ft. off the beach. The best close call I remember was a pro kiter (no names) going under the WH bridge with the kite still in neutral, he unhooked and let go of the kite. He went under the bridge and his kite went over the bridge and under the powerlines. Do I need to go on. If anyone models their beach off of WH, don't expect it to remain open for long. I love riding at Whale Harbor but it still has alot of problems. The locals there try to police the beach but the people in charge of the beach don't say anything to anyone even when asked to say something.
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#5
06-29-2009, 03:45 PM
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I couldn't help but laugh as this is such a classic "grass is greener on the other side" isn't it. Sorry to hear such BS going on at Whale Harbor. Sunset is kiting nirvana compared to WH.....at least so it sounds.
__________________
"kiteboarding for whatever reason, is the recipe for much of my happiness"
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#6
06-29-2009, 03:55 PM
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Beach rash
Did anyone see the new guy the other day at sunset?
Went in the water fine. Was body dragging for about an hour in 3 feet of water. Came out and had this weird rash from his waist to his knees. He said it was burning like fire. Looked like some kind of strange bites/rash thing going on...said it happened to him the last time he was at sunset as well!!! I think he called the state to have the water tested.
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#7
06-30-2009, 05:53 AM
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Quote:
__________________
"I LOVE the smell of WIND in the morning... Smells like..... KITING!!" "The biggest drawback of kiteboarding is the adverse effects it has on getting anything else done."
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#8
06-29-2009, 08:49 PM
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Hey Steve, Yes, Sunset is a slice of paradise. My grandmother lives in Tarpon Springs and I have been kiting Sunset for 8 yrs.. Love that place. I kited Howard Park once. Caught alot of shit back then from some off the windsurfers before going out but got mad props when I got in. Even the ranger was cool before he asked me to leave. You guys got your work cut out for you. Not much I can do except offer help if ever needed. As for Whale Harbor. Every beach has its own problems. Most people will tell you though that even though it's not our beach per say, we (the locals) police Annes Beach pretty well. If we have a problem that we can't handle, there is always the local sheriff who is always willing to lend a hand to keep it safe. Not to say we don't have our own problems at times. We can't be there all the time but as I have been saying for years. Policeing is the only way. Where I live for the summers in New Jersey. We have one of the strictest crews of kiters I have seen anywhere and still from time to time a problem arrises. 1 of the kiters works for the township and has made it easier. He is the kite nazi.
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#9
06-29-2009, 09:30 PM
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Of course I only have one experience there and it was awesome, not just because of the water. It seemed as though everyone had a semi organized system being as small of a launch area and so many kites. So with that said, that is what I based my statement on, oh and I witnessed no accidents. But by the sounds of it, good luck down there and i WILL be back to ride one day. Danny
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#10
07-09-2009, 06:19 PM
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The "kid" strikes again
The innocent "kid" who was the main topic beginning this thread by riding through the swimmers at SB and probably didn't know better, returned to SB with his mom & dad on Tuesday.
As a squall was moving towards the beach and the wind began to rapidly increase, all kiters on the water immediately came to the beach and landed their kites. The kid had just finished rigging his 8m hp. SEVERAL local kiters told him NOT to launch his kite (with his parents listening) explaining the inherent dangers. He arragantly TOLD his father to launch his kite, which his father couldn't do fast enough. Off he went into the dark haze. About 1 minute later, all Hell broke loose and the Heavens opened up Niagra Falls, with the wind spiking above 30 knots and gusting. Fortuneatly for him, he survived. After being stuck in "no man's land" for about 5 minutes, he was able to make his way back to the beach, where his Dad landed his kite. They immediately packed up and went home. So once again, here you have a recurring situation. What can you do? BE FOREWARNED: THERE ARE MEASURES BEING TAKEN AT SB TO RESTRICT IRRESPONSIBLE RIDERS FROM REVOKING ACCESS AT SB. I'VE ALREADY TALKED TO MY COUSIN VINNY BRAKAYOUKNEES AND HE'S ON HIS WAY DOWN FROM BROOKLYN. :shock:
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