'Local’s Choice’ Tips From Rich Welter
Rich Welter founded Sunset Watersports Key West, celebrating its 40th birthday this year, in 1984 — during a period when, in his mid-20s, he slept in a tent on a parasail platform on the former Houseboat Row.
Today, Sunset Watersports bills itself as the oldest parasailing company in the country, the oldest established family-owned and -operated Key West watersports company, the operator of Key West’s only dinner cruise, and the oldest jet ski operator in the Florida Keys.
Welter is known for creating the “Do It All Watersports Adventure” with jet skiing, snorkeling, kayaking, paddle boarding, parasailing, lunch, and fun at a watersports playground.
Welter, a fifth-generation native of New York’s Long Island, was a classical bass player who moved to Florida, designed and developed his parasail vessel with a moving platform, and designed many of the company’s current fleet of more than 30 boats.
He discovered Key West after stints of commercial blue crabbing and waiting tables throughout Southwest Florida.
Today Sunset Watersports offers all-inclusive activities, sunset and dinner cruises, jet ski tours, parasailing, kayak, dolphin, sandbar, safari-eco, safari-style and reef snorkel tours; sunset sails, boat rentals, weddings and other on-the-water activities.
The variety of watersports has evolved from Welter’s early years in the Keys, when he hosted island parties with a water platform and barbecued freshly caught fish and lobster from his boat.
Welter, his son Richard and Donnie Kirkpatrick are company co-owners; daughter Sandie, wife Melody and five young grandchildren are all actively involved in Sunset Watersports’ operations.
Welter also actively participates in his “retirement project” at Cow Key Marina and its Stock Rock Café, with fresh seafood, live music, craft beer, a bar and Cow Cream ice cream.
Sunset Watersports’ mission includes striving to foster “an atmosphere where employees can advance and be part of the Key West community, raise families and give to those less fortunate.”
Adds Welter, “You work hard to do the right thing, and you get what you put into it.“
His motto: “Make it happen. No excuses. Only results.”
Where he dines: Stock Rock Cafe at Cow Key Marina, Roostica on Stock Island, Square Grouper on Cudjoe Key, and Origami and Azur in Key West.
Where he explores: The backcountry, especially Welter Key behind Marvin Key.
How he relaxes: Spending time with his grandkids, boating, RVing, driving classic cars, and going to the family cabin in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
Rich Welter, center, is surrounded by his family.
Welter, pictured here in 1984, the year he founded Sunset Watersports in Key West.
Today Sunset Watersports offers all-inclusive activities, sunset and dinner cruises, jet ski tours, parasailing, kayak, dolphin, sandbar, safari-eco, safari-style and reef snorkel tours; sunset sails, boat rentals, weddings and other activities.
Sunset Watersports bills itself as the oldest parasailing company in the country and the oldest established family-owned and -operated Key West watersports company.