lake County Kiteboarding Association

[Jimbo]

Wanted to start a lake County chapter for kiteboarding. Not sure how to do it so need input from everyone.

Purpose
1 To get annual parking passes to Waukegan beach for all its members.
2 Work with municipalities to promote safe kiting.
3 Annual kite trips.
4 Other ideas?

In exchange we will provide beach clean up a few times a year.
2. Designate kiting areas for safety.
3. Help out with whatever?

These are just a few of my ideas so input would be appreciated.

[Artem]

That's a really cool idea. We have been needing a group or an association like this for a while.

[FSP]

How does that play out with certifications and such? Would the township work with you or just gouge and restrict us more if that can is opened? Some situations can make things more solid and for sure better, but remember that it can potentially go the other way. The trick is trying to communicate the sport and the needs to make sure they allow it as open as it now if you pursue purpose #2. Much easier if someone was a friend or knew the decision makers IMHO.

[Jimbo]

Thanks for the input. As we all know he city of Waukegan has a master plan for the new harbor and beach front. With new condos, harbor and additional sprawl in the future we can see the beach so crowded that kiting may not be allowed.
Now is the time to kick this off so we can get established with the city before this project starts.

See link below.

http://www.waukeganvision.com/plans_new ... _plan.html

[Dutchkiteboarder]

Here is my input:
Back home we have one really big association with different chapters (departments) for different provinces. Each chapter has a rep and his helpers. Too bad none of you guys can read this or give it a try with Google translate:
http://www.nederlandsekitesurfvereniging.nl/

It will give you a little bit of understanding how it work there. These guys have done amazing jobs to keep kitesurfing spots open around the shorelines and inland waters. Even some of the spots that are officially closed, they got an agreement for a certain time frame that people are allowed to ride.

Like FPS said it can work against you but if you don't try it you will never know if it might work out. I would be definitely in for something that will stand up for the kiteboarding community, we have Adrian and Mike representing Montrose why not having others standing up for a different beach? I know there is the Surfriders foundation but something local might be useful as well.