Riders rigging on the launch at Curry Hammock

A kiter crossing the seagrass flats from above

Turquoise water off the Curry Hammock beach

Chapters / Florida Keys Active

Ride Curry Hammock, keep it open

The park already draws riders from across the state. The chapter is here to keep it that way.

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12 riders call this homeKiteCurry Hammock State ParkCurry Hammock State Park, Florida State Parks

Everything you need to know about Curry Hammock

Live conditions

Why riders love it

What brings people here, from the people who manage it and the people who ride it.

When the winds are right the park draws kiteboarders from throughout the state, in numbers that lead visitors to ask whether an event is being held.
The park has developed its kiteboarding policies specifically to keep all visitors safe.

Sources: Florida State Parks

See the wind right now

Access and rules

Access runs on the park's own written policy. Where a policy exists, the chapter keeps riders inside it. Where none exists, the chapter asks the park before anyone assumes.

All kites are to be launched and landed from the day use area only.
Once launched, all activities should take place 300 feet from the shoreline.
In an emergency landing outside the permitted zone, the kite must be landed and carried, not flown, back to the day use area.
The park is open daily from 8 a.m. to sunset, 365 days a year.
Entry is $4.50 per vehicle with a single occupant. Two to eight occupants pay $5.00 to $8.00 per vehicle, which includes a Monroe County surcharge.
The park does not rent kiteboarding equipment. Bring your own gear.
The best wind season runs roughly September through April, with east and southeast winds the most common rideable directions. The large flat in front of the day-use area ranges from ankle to waist deep depending on the tide.

Sources: Florida State Parks; Florida State Parks, Kite Boarding at Curry Hammock; Florida State Parks; wind data from local spot guides attributed to rider knowledge

Read the local rules

Ecology and habitat

State parks protect hammock, mangrove, seagrass and nesting habitat. Stewardship days focus on launch care, hauling trash out, and keeping riders clear of what the park protects.

Runs stewardship days: cleanups and watching the launch, so the rangers see riders as an asset, not a problem.

Fund stewardship here

Good to know

Location, facilities and history.

Curry Hammock State Park sits along both sides of US 1, starting at mile marker 56.2 on Crawl Key in the Florida Keys, Monroe County.
Address: 56200 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL 33050. Phone (305) 289-2690.
The park was established in 1991.
Kayaking, fishing, swimming and beach use, with camping and RV sites available overnight.
Visitors check in at the ranger station for details.

Sources: Florida State Parks; Wikipedia summary of park activities; Florida State Parks; park listing

Meet the riders

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Curry Hammock

Curry Hammock State Park, MM 56.2 Marathon. Written kiteboarding policy and a defined launch area.

Know the spot

Curry Hammock

Holds the park relationship; stewardship and certification keep the sport welcome.

Know the spot

Curry Hammock

Shallow flats off the Overseas Highway. Steady easterlies, open launch, Keys crew.

Know the spot

Why Curry Hammock needs a chapter

Florida Keys

Curry Hammock is where the network starts, because the riders are already here and the access is worth defending. The park has written kiteboarding policy, a defined launch area, and a community that shows up in numbers the rangers notice.

12riders call this home

Kitedisciplines riding here

Curry Hammock chapter, World Wind Sports

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Florida Keys

A chapter here holds that relationship: stewardship days to keep the launch clean and the sport welcome, certification so riders are trained and self-policing, and a standing voice if the rules ever come up for review.

12riders call this home

Kitedisciplines riding here

Curry Hammock chapter, World Wind Sports

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Florida Keys

This is the proving ground. If the model holds the line at Curry Hammock, it holds at every chapter on the map.

12riders call this home

Kitedisciplines riding here

Curry Hammock chapter, World Wind Sports

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The riders, schools and crew of Curry Hammock

Riders from Marathon, Key Colony Beach, Duck Key, Grassy Key, Conch Key, Islamorada, Big Pine Key, Key West, Tavernier, Key Largo, Keylargo, Homestead, Florida City and the schools that teach them.

See the rider directory Talk on the board

WWSThe chapterHolds the relationship with the park — keeping the day-use launch open and the sport welcome at Curry Hammock.WWSThe chapterRuns stewardship days: cleanups and watching the launch, so the rangers see riders as an asset, not a problem.WWSThe chapterRuns sponsored certification weekends so riders are trained and self-policing — with instructor certification for qualifying stewards and members.WWSThe chapterHolds the relationship with the park — keeping the day-use launch open and the sport welcome at Curry Hammock.WWSThe chapterRuns stewardship days: cleanups and watching the launch, so the rangers see riders as an asset, not a problem.WWSThe chapterRuns sponsored certification weekends so riders are trained and self-policing — with instructor certification for qualifying stewards and members.

Nicholas FuogLevel 4V, Tavernier

Inna GenouonLevel 2H, Marathon

Shelby JackmanLevel 3L, Key largo

Brian ConopaskLevel 3J, Key West

Sara NeumannLevel 2I, Key West

Andrew BaadLevel 3N, Homestead

Lou SenaLevel 4Q, Islamorada

Braelie Ray Prescott-ArrudaCertified rider, Key WestJJp MccabeLevel 3M, MARATHONJJohn BouchardLevel 3J, Key WestSStephen HanesLevel 3L, Key WestBBradley TammCertified rider, keylargo

Nicholas FuogLevel 4V, Tavernier

Inna GenouonLevel 2H, Marathon

Shelby JackmanLevel 3L, Key largo

Brian ConopaskLevel 3J, Key West

Sara NeumannLevel 2I, Key West

Andrew BaadLevel 3N, Homestead

Lou SenaLevel 4Q, Islamorada

Braelie Ray Prescott-ArrudaCertified rider, Key WestJJp MccabeLevel 3M, MARATHONJJohn BouchardLevel 3J, Key WestSStephen HanesLevel 3L, Key WestBBradley TammCertified rider, keylargo

iSportsKiteiWind spotCurry Hammock State ParkiLocal authorityCurry Hammock State Park, Florida State ParksiKnow thisCurry Hammock State Park, MM 56.2 Marathon. Written kiteboarding policy and a defined launch area.iKnow thisHolds the park relationship; stewardship and certification keep the sport welcome.iKnow thisShallow flats off the Overseas Highway. Steady easterlies, open launch, Keys crew.iSportsKiteiWind spotCurry Hammock State ParkiLocal authorityCurry Hammock State Park, Florida State ParksiKnow thisCurry Hammock State Park, MM 56.2 Marathon. Written kiteboarding policy and a defined launch area.iKnow thisHolds the park relationship; stewardship and certification keep the sport welcome.iKnow thisShallow flats off the Overseas Highway. Steady easterlies, open launch, Keys crew.

Live conditions

Wind right now at Curry Hammock

Full forecast

Fund the chapter holding access at Curry Hammock. You can too.

Your gift keeps the chapter running and the beach cared for: cleanup supplies, signage, certification weekends and the costs of being the group the park can call.

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