The People Who Built TBKA
In the early stages of forming the association, TBKA relied on the experience of long-time local kiters to protect launch sites, raise teaching standards and preserve the freedoms riders sometimes take for granted. These leaders donated their own time and water time, pulling double duty as researchers, coordinators and public relations to get the association running.
Steve Sadler
Steve grew up in action sports and rode BMX professionally until he was 25, always “the kid in last place doing the no-handed 360 over the first jump.” Looking for a retirement sport from BMX, he caught a clip of Flash Austin boosting a huge air in Hawaii in early 2003 and knew kiteboarding was the sport he’d been looking for.
By 2008 he was an IKO Level 2 kiteboarding instructor with three and a half years of teaching behind him. His stated goals for TBKA:
My personal goals are to ensure that every kiter on the water is competent, and as safe as possible, and to highlight good deeds of kiters in the community. We are also trying to get recognition from IRS as a public charity (501c3) to further TBKA goals and provide more events and programs, and to work with other agencies in bringing community spirit back in style.
That recognition came later in 2008, when the work continued as Action Sports Foundation.
Billy Parker
A Flexifoil-sponsored pro kiter born and raised in St. Petersburg, Billy competed on the PKRA world tour and was known for helping kiters of every level, including more than a few on-water rescues. His goal with TBKA was to introduce these sports to young people who needed guidance and “steer them off the streets and into the water.”
Brian Maiertsch
A St. Pete local and owner of St. Pete Kites, Brian was at the beach any time it was blowing, usually on a Gulf downwinder. He was working toward IKO certification so he could help newer kiters learn safely, and led TBKA’s effort to introduce wind and water sports to military veterans, with volunteer instructors offering free lessons.
Taryn Tschetter
Taryn came to kiting from skydiving. Put off at first by all the gear, she taught herself to wakeboard for board skills and practiced with a trainer kite all summer. She described herself as devoted to learning and practicing safe kiting, and to “the stellar kiting community that is Tampa Bay.”
Originally published on tbka.org. Recovered from the Internet Archive. View the archived original.