ACCESS THREATENED ... AGAIN.

[ricki]

I just spoke with the new manager at Crandon Park in Miami. Fl to get an update on things related to kiteboarding. He has been advocating kiteboarding with higher ups in County Government but he said that things haven't been going well.

** Whenever people from the Parks Department visit Crandon Park, they see kiteboarders riding south, inside the OUT OF BOUNDS swim area AND too close to the children in the Nature Center tours of the turtle grass. **

There have been rules in place for YEARS forbidding this but some people don't seem to care.

As a result, the planned permitting of the kiteboarding schools MAY NOT happen. Kiteboarding may be banned entirely at Crandon Park.


I have heard similar complaints AND from local government authorities in Ft. Lauderdale about kiteboarders riding inside the swim area buoys and among swimmers after the guards have left. Interestingly enough, some of these same riders have been contributing to complaints at Crandon, althought not all of the complaints obviously.


This isn't complex. Looking after our privaledge to ride isn't rocket science. If we don't collectively give a damn about our access we will likely lose it.

We need to talk to folks that are putting OUR access at risk as effectively as we can. Ideas on this are welcome.

NOTE; BE SURE TO REGISTER BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO POST ideas.

Thanks!

[ricki]

I just spoke with the new manager at Crandon Park in Miami. Fl to get an update on things related to kiteboarding. He has been advocating kiteboarding with higher ups in County Government but he said that things haven't been going well.

** Whenever people from the Parks Department visit Crandon Park, they see kiteboarders riding south, inside the OUT OF BOUNDS swim area AND too close to the children in the Nature Center tours of the turtle grass. **

There have been rules in place for YEARS forbidding this but some people don't seem to care.

As a result, the planned permitting of the kiteboarding schools MAY NOT happen. Kiteboarding may be banned entirely at Crandon Park.


I have heard similar complaints AND from local government authorities in Ft. Lauderdale about kiteboarders riding inside the swim area buoys and among swimmers after the guards have left. Interestingly enough, some of these same riders have been contributing to complaints at Crandon, althought not all of the complaints obviously.


This isn't complex. Looking after our privaledge to ride isn't rocket science. If we don't collectively give a damn about our access we will likely lose it.

We need to talk to folks that are putting OUR access at risk as effectively as we can. Ideas on this are welcome.

NOTE; BE SURE TO REGISTER BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO POST ideas.

Thanks!

[ricki]

Reposted from the FKA email list:

"From: Sean Spencer <spencer_sean@yahoo.com>
Date: Tue Nov 9, 2004 4:34 pm
Subject: Re: [FKSA] Crandon and Ft. Lauderdale Access Threatened

ADVERTISEMENT
Rick,

My name is Sean from Miami and while I kite mostly at
Matheson Hamock, I do go to Crandon occasionally. I
must admit, that every time I do, I'm totally shocked
at the wreckless riding going on by those who claim to
be advocating safe riding.

If park officials were at Crandon last week, they
would have seen top pros doing huge jumps and tricks
literally 20 feet off the beach with straight onshore
winds, and on a number of occasions, crashing their
kites right on the beach.

I've never felt compelled to contribute to this forum,
but I must say that if Crandon does close down, it's
the locals who are to blame. It's not like this is a
new issue.

Anyway, I'm sorry to sound like a jerk, but when the
same guy that's yelling at me to walk up wind causes
more potential danger than the guys he's yelling at, I
had to chime in."

[ricki]

Reposted from the FKA email list:

"From: Sean Spencer <spencer_sean@yahoo.com>
Date: Tue Nov 9, 2004 4:34 pm
Subject: Re: [FKSA] Crandon and Ft. Lauderdale Access Threatened

ADVERTISEMENT
Rick,

My name is Sean from Miami and while I kite mostly at
Matheson Hamock, I do go to Crandon occasionally. I
must admit, that every time I do, I'm totally shocked
at the wreckless riding going on by those who claim to
be advocating safe riding.

If park officials were at Crandon last week, they
would have seen top pros doing huge jumps and tricks
literally 20 feet off the beach with straight onshore
winds, and on a number of occasions, crashing their
kites right on the beach.

I've never felt compelled to contribute to this forum,
but I must say that if Crandon does close down, it's
the locals who are to blame. It's not like this is a
new issue.

Anyway, I'm sorry to sound like a jerk, but when the
same guy that's yelling at me to walk up wind causes
more potential danger than the guys he's yelling at, I
had to chime in."

[ricki]

Reposted from the FKA email list:

"From: "Rush Mark Rush" <mrush@bellsouth.net>
Date: Tue Nov 9, 2004 7:36 pm
Subject: Re: [FKSA] Crandon and Ft. Lauderdale Access Threatened

There does not seem to be many responses to your riding access problems in south
Florida. Everyone is laying low to see what will happen. It seems most riders do
not want to say a word to the riders who are ruining the access at Crandon, as
they are above approaching because of their ride level and attitudes. Here's a
thought.....when they shut down Crandon, guess where these guys will show up
next...Matheson Hamock...and yes, it will soon get closed as well. These guys
will go from launch to launch, eventually getting them all closed down to
kiteboarding. It seems like EVERYONE knows who these guys are who are breaking
the rules and think they have super powers.....but are really in denial...."hey
everybody...LOOK AT ME! I RIP! You SUCK!"
If the park Rangers can't ban these guys and you can't legally handle these
guys....take a lesson from the North Shore rules of reason...you KNOW how they
handle guys like this."

[ricki]

Reposted from the FKA email list:

"From: "Rush Mark Rush" <mrush@bellsouth.net>
Date: Tue Nov 9, 2004 7:36 pm
Subject: Re: [FKSA] Crandon and Ft. Lauderdale Access Threatened

There does not seem to be many responses to your riding access problems in south
Florida. Everyone is laying low to see what will happen. It seems most riders do
not want to say a word to the riders who are ruining the access at Crandon, as
they are above approaching because of their ride level and attitudes. Here's a
thought.....when they shut down Crandon, guess where these guys will show up
next...Matheson Hamock...and yes, it will soon get closed as well. These guys
will go from launch to launch, eventually getting them all closed down to
kiteboarding. It seems like EVERYONE knows who these guys are who are breaking
the rules and think they have super powers.....but are really in denial...."hey
everybody...LOOK AT ME! I RIP! You SUCK!"
If the park Rangers can't ban these guys and you can't legally handle these
guys....take a lesson from the North Shore rules of reason...you KNOW how they
handle guys like this."

[ricki]

From : <lbpb1@aol.com>
Reply-To : FKSA@yahoogroups.com
Sent : Thursday, November 11, 2004 6:58 AM
To : FKSA@yahoogroups.com
Subject : Re: [FKSA] Digest Number 831

Whenever we have a problem with a particular rider, local or not we point him
out to the people who patrol our beach. Of course that is after we have a
talk to them about staying way from swimmers, surfers and others on the beach. We
single him out and point out the reason to the officer so its obvious who is
the problem. Then we let the officials take care of the policing while we go
out and ride away from that area. If there are rules at your location that are
set up for the safety and consideration of other people and riders then use
them! If a talk with the rider who shows poor judgment doesn't work just call
the ranger on patrol (I bet you can get a direct number) in that area. Point out
WHO is being dangerous AND WHY and let them do their job. This will separate
out the bad apples. At the same time it shows cooperation with the people in
charge. It will prove to them that there is a group that wants to help keep
your spot open and at the same time help them out. Its a lot better for a kiter
to call than some guy walking his dog on the beach who almost got hit with a
kite. And lets face it a near (or not so near) miss can generate a complaint
sooner than you might expect. Its easy enough to tell when there might be a
complaint. Any time other people are around or any time someone is being really
stupid. If you have been riding for a while and don't live with your head in the
sand you know the difference! Don't sit by and let one idiot ruin it for you!
Make the call and let the cops run them out! Its better for you and everyone
else too.

[ricki]

From : <lbpb1@aol.com>
Reply-To : FKSA@yahoogroups.com
Sent : Thursday, November 11, 2004 6:58 AM
To : FKSA@yahoogroups.com
Subject : Re: [FKSA] Digest Number 831

Whenever we have a problem with a particular rider, local or not we point him
out to the people who patrol our beach. Of course that is after we have a
talk to them about staying way from swimmers, surfers and others on the beach. We
single him out and point out the reason to the officer so its obvious who is
the problem. Then we let the officials take care of the policing while we go
out and ride away from that area. If there are rules at your location that are
set up for the safety and consideration of other people and riders then use
them! If a talk with the rider who shows poor judgment doesn't work just call
the ranger on patrol (I bet you can get a direct number) in that area. Point out
WHO is being dangerous AND WHY and let them do their job. This will separate
out the bad apples. At the same time it shows cooperation with the people in
charge. It will prove to them that there is a group that wants to help keep
your spot open and at the same time help them out. Its a lot better for a kiter
to call than some guy walking his dog on the beach who almost got hit with a
kite. And lets face it a near (or not so near) miss can generate a complaint
sooner than you might expect. Its easy enough to tell when there might be a
complaint. Any time other people are around or any time someone is being really
stupid. If you have been riding for a while and don't live with your head in the
sand you know the difference! Don't sit by and let one idiot ruin it for you!
Make the call and let the cops run them out! Its better for you and everyone
else too.