Park boss grounds kite surf instructor

He says the sport is too risky in a swimming area and won't allow the show.

By Times staff writer

© St. Petersburg Times, published July 15, 2000

TARPON SPRINGS -- If you wanted to catch the kite surfing demonstration at Howard Park this weekend, you'll have to make other plans.

Kite surfing is not allowed at the beach, said Bob Zakrzewski, supervisor of Howard Park. He said it's simply too dangerous for kite surfers to take off from the beach because it's a designated swimming area. For similar reasons, parasailing also is banned at the park.

"We've got to be careful who's there and what's there," he said.

Jeff Weiss, a kite surfer from Jacksonville, had planned to demonstrate the sport today and Sunday at Howard Park, but he never got clearance from park officials. Zakrzewski contacted Weiss on Friday and told him the demonstration won't be allowed.

"I was extremely surprised," Weiss said. "I had talked to friends who had kite surfed there."

Weiss also planned to teach people how to use the kites.

Kite surfing is a relatively new sport in which people stand on small boards and hold the two strings on a kite. The surfer is pulled into the water when the wind catches the kite.

Weiss said he will look for other spots locally to demonstrate the sport. He said he will post a sign at Howard Park today telling people where to go.

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