Kiteboarding has been banned for years at Fred Howard Park due to the actions of one kitesurfer. For the last 15 months, windsurfers have been sharing Sunset Beach with the kitesurfers while the Fred Howard causeway was being repaired. Some of our windsurfing friends are now kitesurfers, so it was nice to be together for 15 months while Fred Howard was closed. On opening day, Dec. 28, 2009, the kitesurfers showed up at our turf: Fred Howard Park. We knew they planned to show up and see what would happen.
The park supervisor was pleased that all the windsurfers and kitesurfers showed up for the grand reopening! Newspaper and tv crews documented the event, not knowing something big was happening in our little world. Supposedly, the Board member who initiated the ban has left the area. And the park staff has been cut back, so there is less policing of the parks.
It was a sight to behold - windsurfers and kitesurfers blasting away together at Fred Howard Park and Sunset Beach simultaneously on reopening day of Fred Howard Park. Come join us for double the fun in the sun now that the segregation is over!
Margie & Patrick
Links with photos:
http://www2.tbo.com/photoalbum/2009/dec/28/fred-howard-park-reopens/1/