Curious to see if your area has a local kiting association. If so, what are they doing:

1. to preserve access
2. to handle problems between kiters, retailer, or both.
3. for kiters (i.e. events, BBQ's, clinics)
4. for the community (i.e. beach cleanups, community oriented events, etc)
5. how are the decisions made?

I already know that in USA there are very few active ones, and even less that are actually effective. CGKA in the Gorge seems to be the best organized/ most effective and their Board has a good mix of both industry and non-industry members.

Florida has no real associations, and no offense to Ricki, but FKSA has never really operated like one. The smaller ones that do exist are mostly controlled by retailers, and the average kiter has no say in its operation or future path.

Here locally (Tampa Bay area), we have been on the 'Miami Meltdown' path for about 6 years now and from what I know, it's about to get ugly, and the actions of a few may result in the loss of a few kite spots. There is little to no communication/ cooperation among shops, schools, and instructors and if you wish to call a meeting of the kiters, they just ain't gonna show up.
It's truly a "screw you, I am out for myself" mentality around here.

So, if you have an association, let's hear about it, what is working, and what is not.
If there is not one in your area, what would you support?

Kind Regards,
-KTB
www.kiteboardingtampabay.com