North America's Largest Family Founded, Owned and Operated Water Sports Company Turns 40 in Key West & the Florida Keys!

In 1984, a bold new venture took shape in Key West and the Florida Keys as Sunset Watersports opened its hatches. As pioneers in the watersports industry, they introduced parasailing to South Florida, making waves as the first company to offer this thrilling experience.
 
Richard C. Welter started it all when he was barely 25 years old with a single boat and a vision. His son Rich, current co-owner of the company, explains; “My father had passion, determination and the drive to risk everything to bring parasailing, an exciting new activity to Key West which was an ever expanding and emerging destination”.
 
In those early days, Rich’s dad would sleep on the parasail boat, embodying the spirit of adventure that would define the company’s journey. As operations grew, they moved to a bus and then added physical locations, marking the start of a long tradition of innovation, expansion and success.
 
Sunset Watersports has been at the forefront of the watersports industry in Key West for 40 years, constantly evolving and setting new standards. Their influence extends beyond offering memorable experiences. Their innovations and vast array of offerings along with running year around has led to many calling Key West the watersports capital of North America.
 
Sunset Watersports was instrumental in developing much of the equipment and many of the procedures used in parasailing today, as one of the first companies to bring this activity to the U.S. Rich explained, “Our innovations enable us to gently launch and land people directly from and back to the boats allowing for a safe,invigorating, peaceful experience of floating above the turquoise waters surrounding Key West and the Florida Keys".
 
Donny Kirkpatrick, GM of Sunset Watersports adds, “Sunset Watersports is one of the largest watersport operators in the country with six locations in and around Key West, FL. We are celebrating by offering up to 40% off select tours and trips.”
 
Nathan Knight, Director of Sales and Marketing joined in by saying: “In addition to being pioneers of parasailing, we were the originators of the all-day “Do It All Adventures”, and offer jet skiing, snorkeling, kayaking, sunset trips, sandbar excursions and more”. 
 
Nathan continued, “It’s also important to note that all of all the boats are named after family members: the Miss Lora in honor of Richard's wife, the Sandie Cat after his daughter, the Miss Valyn after his granddaughter, to name just a few. All of the larger vessels are docked in Key West’s Historic Seaport and guests check in there at their watersports hub at 201 William Street.
 
Rich poignantly concluded, “My Father started Sunset Waterports in Key West to leave an ongoing legacy for his family that he and my mother were just forming and to share his love for watersports, the ocean and the environment with our local community and visitors from around the world”.
 
Rich continued, “Sunset Watersports carries on that commitment as the largest family founded, owned and operated watersports company in Key West, the Florida Keys and beyond by supporting nonprofit missions through sponsorships and donations totalling millions of dollars in contributions over forty years and counting”.
 
Local Key West and Florida Keys nonprofits are encouraged to reach out to Sunset Watersports for sponsorships and donations of excursions for silent auctions to help raise funds for their important causes. Please email requests to [email protected]. 
 
For more information about booking excursions, please visit www.sunsetwatersports.com
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