FLORIDA suggestions?

boardrider · Since 05 Apr 2006 1034 Posts Ventura, CA XTreme Poster

Esther & I are headed to the KEYS in April. Very Happy

Any suggestions on places to kite, other things to do & places to stay ? Thanks - Chris

Of course we are planning to hit Islamorada - how about Bahia Honda or other spots.

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

Haven't done much kiting but the diving and fishing are awesome:

Looe Key at Bahia Honda is a cool snorkel trip:

http://www.diveflakeys.com/index.html

lots of great diving at http://www.floridastateparks.org/pennekamp/

Think April is Tarpon season:

http://www.budnmarys.com/

blancoh2o · Since 15 Mar 2005 1154 Posts Oregon Phishy

Whale harbor in Islamorada is the kite spot. You need to check in with Brad Lange at 7 Sports, he will get you dialed with the launch and where to ride.

Once you are on the water there, it is amazing. The water is clear and super flat.

There is another beach called Annie's if the wind comes up enough, it is a good launch. You can ride down in Key West too, but I don't have the beta about that.

Load some pics when you get back.

Also, you have to go feed the Tarpon at the little Marina just south of Islamorada. You will see the sign.

boardrider · Since 05 Apr 2006 1034 Posts Ventura, CA XTreme Poster

Thx guys. I think I'm going to like this place - They suggest a wetsuit for the cooler winter H20 temps (average in the 70's). Very Happy

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Mr.Onepump · Since 11 Sep 2006 66 Posts Albany

Bring a big kite for the keys, I was there for a couple weeks in december 2005 and spent most of my time on my 17m fuel. Fun trip though warm water and steady wind. I recomend taking a snorkeling trip while your there, I saw a realy big ray on one, it was pretty ausome. Also hit up the cable park in orlando if you get a chance.

Heres' a few pics from my trip, have fun down there.

Ron,

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

Nice Gator !

and definitely watch the portuguese man-o-war had one strand from a dead one blow in on the beach wrap my ankle about 5 times - bad luck - crazy fever and allergic reaction until took some benadryl.

Shorty would probably all you woud need in April - board shorts most likely

and hit Rachels Steakhouse in WPB.

blancoh2o · Since 15 Mar 2005 1154 Posts Oregon Phishy

mystrygrl · Since 07 Sep 2006 95 Posts PDX/HR - What day is it?

That's great Chris! Glad you guys are getting some time off! Keys are lovely... although haven't been since th PK (pre-kiting) era. At that time we stayed in a cool bungalow on key west and did a whole lot of eating, partying, boating, etc...

When Rollo and I hit FL last year we went out with guys from Miami Kiteboarding... they took us couple miles out to the flats off Key Biscayne... great b/c then it didn't matter what direction wind was coming from... and it was quite shallow in areas, so could just stand up and walk back to boat if needed.

BigR · Since 05 Jul 2005 372 Posts White Salmon Obsessed

Don't forget to hit uo Crandon park/ Virginia key in Miami with any kind of east in it. It is simply amazing/ lovely out there. Forget about the mudpit of Matheson park, tho

have fun!

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

and then there is cable park if you venture up north near Deerfield
http://www.skirixenusa.com/

just watch out for mecca-gator - he shows himself every once and while.

This picture was taken by a TraumaHawk helicopter flying over Lake Worth ,

(For those of you who are not local, Lake Worth is near West Palm Beach, FL.)

That has to be a HUGE gator to have a whole deer in its mouth!
Are you ready to go fishing in Lake Okaheelee?! If you water ski -- try not to fall
The alligator was found near Forest Hill Blvd a nd the Florida Turnpike.... near a house, Game Wardens were forced to shoot the alligator-guess he wouldn't cooperate. Jayne and Don Hobkirk could hear the bellowing in the night. Their neighbors had been telling them that they had seen a mammoth alligator in the Lake that runs behind their house, but they dismissed the stories as being exaggerations. < /I>

'I didn't believe it,' Don Hobkirk said. Friday they realized the stories were, if anything, understated. Florida Game and Parks game wardens had to shoot the beast ...

Joe Goff, 6' 5' tall, a game warden with the Florida Game and Parks Commission, walks past the 23-foot, one inch alligator that he shot and killed in the back yard of Jayne & Don Hobkirk...

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Wind Slither · Since 04 Mar 2005 2626 Posts The 503 METAL

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

Nice - Way to man-up from the jon boat! Thumb's Up

gotta hate the all day 9-knot tease.

Hey my Gator photos are from Georgia/SC border - guess you are all safe
http://www.snopes.com/photos/animals/gatordeer.asp

boardrider · Since 05 Apr 2006 1034 Posts Ventura, CA XTreme Poster

HOLY CRAP is that gator BIG. Shocked

I'm sure that deer is larger than me - probably swims faster too Confused

. Are those gators around the keys, or mostly lakes and swamp?

blancoh2o · Since 15 Mar 2005 1154 Posts Oregon Phishy

Gators can be found in any of the waters in the state. There are even Crocs further down South near the Keys.

Awe Slither the 9 knot tease. ARGHHHHHHH!

That is why I like Jupiter. It seems to be about the windiest in the state, and there is a chance that you can gets waves too.

I still put a lot of faith in the Keys for butter with bigger kites also.

Gman, ooops I mean G-Dawg, I used to barefoot ski in Okaheelee. that gator is crazy big. I used to see a lot of repitles in the water down there. For the most part they are more scared of you than you are of them.

Kiteguy · Since 26 Aug 2007 75 Posts

I dont think that mofo be 'fraid of anything!

On a Rampage · Since 19 Dec 2007 17 Posts Florida Keys

MIXWELL · Thu Feb 21, 08 10:21 am

Nice Gator pics Gman Exclamation

I guess that would be i little frightning Laughing