A Long Beach City Council member is questioning why two established local businesses were passed over for permits to teach kitesurfing in Belmont Shore in favor of three companies who operate in or recently relocated from Huntington Beach.
“I don’t know how these businesses that are brick and mortar, that have invested in our city, are going to stay here … when they don’t even have a license to do their business in our city because we have awarded this to Huntington Beach businesses,” Councilmember Cindy Allen said at a recent council meeting.
The City Council was scheduled to award the permits based on staff recommendations on June 18. Instead, the vote was delayed until August at Allen’s request.
The permits, which allow companies to teach kitesurfing lessons at the beach, are vital, according to Sabrina Parisi, owner of Captain Kirk’s Watersports in Cambodia Town. She estimated that 80% of the income at her brick-and-mortar store is from customers that kitesurfing instructors direct there after lessons.