Crandon Park Re-open Soon For Summer

[miamikiteboarding]

Hello fellow riders!

Here is a heads up as to inform you about new changes being made around Crandon Park this summer! That's a scoop actually !

As you may know this year the park has been closed to kitesurfers all summer, but not for long .
Meanwhile a new set of rules have been established in order to make our riding lives easier. As a result, the park administration is ready to allow kitesurfing officially in the long term process at the Crandon North Beach location.
In return they have set strict conditions that must be followed.
This will be for the overall benefit of all of us in Crandon and maybe in the Miami area.

These are the new changes that will be mandatory for the upcoming season:

· Sign-in sheet will be directly on the beach at the kitesurfing concession stand : No more driving to the park office, no more wrist band!

· The kitesurfing area is strictly designated to advanced riders proving of IKO or PASA level 3
This means that if you cannot stay upwind and ride comfortably with other riders you cannot ride in Crandon. NO EXCEPTIONS!
Beginners and Intermediate will be allowed only with a certified Instructor.

· Each rider MUST carry Individual Kitesurfing Liability Insurance to ride in Crandon beach.
Any IKO card holder can buy it online instantly through this link: http://www.ikointl.com/kb_insurance.php?affil=S656 .or via Miamikiteboarding website in the certification page. It is actually the same type of insurance we had through the FKSA 2 years ago , difference is this one is valid worldwide for almost the same price!

· The card level and insurance Policy must be shown when signing-in on the beach

· A maximum of 30 riders is allowed at a time on the water.

· For those who do not have certification card they can obtain them instantly on the beach through a level assessment with our local instructors which includes: staying upwind - the self rescue procedures, the right -of-way rules.

· Particular restrictions will apply when children participating in the nature center field trips are in or near the kitesurfing area.

We expect a re-opening of Crandon very soon, hopefully by mid July during week days .YEEEAAAAHHHHH !
It seems they gave us another chance to make it work even better than before , let’s just play the game and follow their rules , that’s all they want.
Us, we just want to RIDE !

Christophe

[Stevil Kenevil]

Chris- Those rules seem to be fair to be able to ride in such a beautiful place, but I am sure that some people will have a problem being regulated, or having to spend a few bucks on insurance coverage.(89.00) With the rapid growth of our sport, this is really the only way to protect it.

The Level 3 certification and insurance requirement is a major plus in protecting this spot from idiots,kooks, and "cowboys"(those who try to learn on their own.) If there were to be an accident, at least the kiter is insured to cover the damages caused, or cost of search/rescue, transport to hospital, etc. , which eliminates the possibility of the park getting sued.

This system also lets park officials and other kiters know exactly who they are on the water with, which will be effective in the event of an accident to identify the victim/notify their relatives. Some of my kiting friends have medical conditions(diabetes, epilepsy,etc.) which is very important to know in an emergency situation, and may aid in the victim getting proper care.

It will also help in a situation where a kiter is not being safe or following the rules- 3 strikes and you're out.....no need for arguing or fighting, or showdowns on the forums. Play by the rules and enjoy this place.

As I have said numerous times before, for kiters in Tampa Bay who sign up for the IKO insurance, $8.90 will go to Friends of Ft. Desoto. (Affiliation code I3481). You will be covered worldwide every time you kite, even when renting/borrowing gear.

Chris and crew- Thanks for your continued efforts in maintaining a positive relationship with Crandon officials, I look forward to kiting there again soon!!!!

By the way, what happened at the Virginia Key meeting?

[ricki]

Sounds good Christophe. I hope people work with you to follow these simple rules to keep kiting open at Crandon.

[miamikiteboarding]

There should be no problems for any riders , since the rules have always been the same , and are simply common sense for whoever cares a bit to keep on riding access open widely.
We just have worked on all the aspects with the park to simplify at the maximum the application of the rules and make it working effortless and hassles-free for the riders; such as: Easy Sign-in - set up the corridor further away from the swimmers - withdraw of the helmet mandatory rule - opening up the space on the beach ...

Plus there will be couples of quite visible Information signs, right at the entrance on the spot, with the rules in enforcement , and a clear map of the area and boundaries...

So from now on , the one kitesurfer that can't respect theses simple guidelines is either provocating or not at the level to ride in the park .
One sure thing, is this is one of the last solution Crandon park administration give us to maintain safe and controlled kitesurfing in Crandon . If That doesn't work they won't hassle any more and will end up closing the park to kitesurfers definetely.

We will give you more updates as they will come.

Any riders comments are welcome as for current rules opinion, or better suggestions and improvment.

If we keep it under control this season at all time even when blowing either 10 or 20kts on a sunny sunday from the NE without kiters drifiting down to the swimmers every 20min, ( typical case scenario that piss the rangers and lifeguards off) , then i can guarantee it'll work on a long term process .

we see you there soon.
chris

[ricki]

I agree, the rules have changed little at least over the last couple of years. The problem that has been around for a very long time is non-compliance. We've needed active enforcement to help kiters keep their access open. I wish you all success in that. It would be a shame for rider indifference and carelessness take this last option and new start away. Thanks for negotiating this. Maybe this is why the new park manager didn't return my calls over the last couple of months. Thanks again, well done and good luck keeping this great spot open.