Kitesurfing Promotion

[L.M.G.]

Hi Folks,

Check out this photo from Jill Rohan.

I've been involved in a growing sport called Kite Surfing or Kite Boarding for several years. I've come to the Abacos to scout out locations suitable for kite surfing. Abaconians would prosper from increased tourism surrounding kiter activities should the sport take hold here.

The Abacos appear to have good potential for kitesurfing and local business could potentially profit from it's promotion. Kiters are always looking for new places to go and play that are WINDY and warm. If you have rental property within easy access of sandy beachs with side to side on-shore wind you may find kite boarders interested in renting during the slower months of winter. Kiters play hard and dont want too much down time! Fishing, dive/snorkle, jet ski/boat, bike/car/golf cart rentals as well as some retail operations could expect increased business. Bars and Eateries would see increased business from kiters. Beach bars could provide excellent gathering locations for kiters and spectators alike during the day. Kiting currently draws crowds of spectators to known kiting locations worldwide. This sport is very photogenic so it might add to advertisement appeal.

Tell me what you think. Oh, by the way, KITERS AREN'T SISSIES!

L.M.G.

[nancy mcdaniel]

Yes, it is a great place to kitesurf. My husband Bruce, conducted several clinics on the beach directly off of Nipper's Beach Bar and Grill last winter. Very well attended and those who watched loved it. The Abacos is a perfect spot for kiteboarding.

[RWillieK]

We saw a few people surfing around GTC a few days ago - almost ran into us on Gilam Bay :) Everyone was amazed though!

Robbie

[dragos]

can't imagine that Treasure Cay's family oriented beach, with small children wading in the waters, would benefit from such a sport.....it's hard enough keeping the jet-skis from running then over

[bigredhouse]

It looks fun! Our little kids tried regular surfing this past summer in Florida and had a blast. Does it require a lot of strength? This looks like something even I'd try or at least watch.

[jeff&carin]

i dont know what i hit on my way back from nippers tonite but it was dark so if i were you i would stay home this place is very scarry

[peterodgers]

can't imagine that Treasure Cay's family oriented beach, with small children wading in the waters, would benefit from such a sport.....it's hard enough keeping the jet-skis from running then over

i'm with you, big time.

at the risk of sounding old codgerly, i, for one, wish that the kite surfers and jetskiiers would stay in Florida. guess that there's not much danger, on Abaco, from snowmobilers but wish that they'd stay away, too

[L.M.G.]

Kitesurfing is nothing like jet skiing!
Kiters are eco friendly, quite and respectfull beach users.
Kiters take safety very serously and are required to take a rigorous training coarse and adhear to our safety guidlines.
L.M.G.

[snorkler]

Kite surfing is sailing with a real small boat.

[snorkler]

No noise no fumes no problem. I want to learn soon.

[JJ]

One of my kids was narrowly missed by a kite surfer while swimming behind a hotel near Jensen Beach, Florida last summer. The water was full of swimmers and the kite-surfer came barreling through. There were regular surfers, too, who were staying down the beach in areas where there were no swimmers, but this was more difficult to do for the kite-surfer because he was zipping down the beach at a high rate of speed. Obviously all are not considerate.

[dragos]

Kitesurfing is nothing like jet skiing!
Kiters are eco friendly, quite and respectfull beach users.
Kiters take safety very serously and are required to take a rigorous training coarse and adhear to our safety guidlines.
L.M.G.
I still maintain, having watched an area of beach in Florida dedicated to kite-surfing, that this sport has NO place on a family beach. Far too dangerous for swimmers and beach-combers alike. And not everyone adheres to rules, nor will submit to training - least of all when away from home in 'free-living' Bahamanian waters.