Sept. 1 incident at Hatchery, 1pm-ish: Kite v. Windsurf

biffmalibu · Since 30 Jun 2011 44 Posts Mosier, Oregon

Location: In the middle of the Hatchery.

Description: Windsurfer on Cascade polyester board and Naish Force sail.
Kiter on surfboard and Slingshot red/orange/yellow/black kite with "S" logo.

Kiter on port tack.
Windsurfer on starboard tack.
Collision course.
Witnesses to corroborate.

Kiter maintains course.
Windsurfer bears off downwind, at about 20' from potential contact.
Windsurfer clears kiteboard by about 20'.
Kiter fails to raise kite and lines.
Kite lines impact top of mast, knocking down windsurfer.
No injury.
Some damage: abrasions from kite lines to the sail luff.

Kiter continues onward, does not stop to investigate or render assistance.

I'd like to have a conversation with this kiter, to make sure he understands what happened and why. Also, I think it would be good for everybody, to make sure he understands basic rules of sailing, as well as common courtesy on the water (which can drown an injured sailor). Such as rendering assistance and apologizing after an incident.

If you have any information on his identity, please respond. I think it's probable that he's told some kind of B.S. about this by now. Have you heard it?

Remember: I have a witness.

Private message is OK. Thank you.