CGKA BLOWOUT - CANCELLED this weekend

Chooch · Wed Jul 21, 10 12:42 pm

Almost no boat support....if you break down and can't make it then you should be ready to self rescue back to shore. They usually only have 2-3 waverunners and 100+ kiters so your chances of getting help are slim.

Have you ever done a viento to HR downwinder Kirstan? If not I reccomend doing a few of those this year...you should be ready to go for next years blow out with a few of those under your belt.

luke · Since 06 Jul 2005 399 Posts Obsessed

This is all confusing to me. Or is it? Please help me!! Very Happy

I have ridden all of the various types of boards being discussed. I learned to kite on water skis (because kite boards had not yet been invented) but have way more fun riding my surfboard. I like to ride strapless when the swells are glassy or want to play around jumping without straps. Strapless for me is definitely a cool challenge, has good soul, and when I ride without straps I really like going for style.

However, when the surf is huge, or I want to air it out big, or I want to go really fast; then the straps go on. You can go faster on a surfboard when strapped compared to strapless. You can just push the limits of the kite, the board, and your body harder. Does anyone out there feel they are faster strapless? I know it feels faster at times. But straps give you an extra advantage when going for straight-out downwind speed.

So, what to do for the BlowOut 17mile downwind race?

Some say it is full-on-balls-to-the-wall competitive and others say it is all about the sense of accomplishment in just finishing. I can understand that. Sort of like a marathon race. Some are in it to win it and most just want to make it 26 miles. Maybe the marathon racers with lightweight shoes are similar to BlowOut kiters on waterskis or race gear. They blaze on the course using the fastest equipment available. And, doing the Blowout strapless would be like running the 26 mile marathon in Converse All-Stars with the laces undone. Lots of style, has soul, and a real challenge.

There is a slight chance that the Converse All-Stars runners or the strapless kiters could win their race (I have seen Cory waist deep in water with his skis in the light wind at the narrows and the forecast is for light wind this weekend). Wink

Since strapless has lots of style, is a real challenge, and has soul; then I like Hurricane’s suggestion that the strapless winner be determined by how many swells are ridden on the way downwind. May the most soulful swell riding man/woman with the maximum time win.

And for those who truly want to “step up to bat”, then get some fast waterskis or something meant for all-out speed and enter Cory’s realm. May the best man/woman with the minimum time win.

chrissmack · Since 08 Jun 2005 526 Posts portland Addicted

is there an organized shuttle back to stevenson, or from hood river to stevenson before the event? (didn't see anything on the thread) thanks, chris

Tony · Since 28 Aug 2006 940 Posts Portland Opinionated

Anybody been check'n the forecast for Saturday?

Confused

Mark · Wed Jul 21, 10 6:37 pm

hilton · Since 15 Aug 2008 803 Posts Opinionated

At this point it looks like Easterlies on Saturday.

I would like to see a reverse relay for the blowout.

Organize teams of 3 people to SUP from HR to Viento, kite from Viento to Home Valley, and windsurf from HV to Stevenson.

There could even be a strapless class where the team is required to use the same board for all 3 legs of the race.

Mark · Thu Jul 22, 10 10:57 am **Blowout Cancelled.**

Due to a NO wind forecast.... the Blowout is off. Special thanks to NAISH for stepping up to help. To all the BOD and volunteers... THANKS.

It's a bummer but mother nature gets the last call.

Mark
President CGKA

Onad · Thu Jul 22, 10 11:14 am

Off as in going to reschedule? Or off as in Canceled for this year?

How about switch it around and go Stevie to Rooster? Wink

Boost da Dam

Tony · Since 28 Aug 2006 940 Posts Portland Opinionated

Bettyboarder · Thu Jul 22, 10 12:17 pm

gorgebob · Since 25 Jun 2007 259 Posts Portland, OR Shop Owner

Bummer to cancel it so early. Weather can change.
I would like to see the windsurf and kites together again . Join forces and have a friendly comp between sports. Hell invite the 49ers. Corey had his own chase ski in the beginning to pick up skis that flew off. Scary site with his stacked kites, eight foot bar and those wacky water skis.

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

It takes a ton of volunteer work to make this event possible, I don't think its fair to make those folks put their whole weekend on hold when odds are against them.

Makes sense to call it before the weekend so people can go elsewhere if desired.

Head to coast, be happy Very Happy

hoodkiter · Since 10 Jul 2010 95 Posts Hood River, OR

As a resident child Kiter in the Gorge, I would like to make it clear that I have seen much less competent adults kiting than young shredders. (you can easily identify them from their mustard colored helmets)

So, personally, I think the cutoff should not be an age, but a level of proficiency.

I'm just going to rig up and do the downwinder jerseyless.

So watch for a 15 year old on an airush rig and a twin tip passing you on the 24th.

hoodkiter · Since 10 Jul 2010 95 Posts Hood River, OR

If there is an East wind, will the race start at the event site and end at stevenson?
that would be wild, but the current would eventually get you there...

hilton · Since 15 Aug 2008 803 Posts Opinionated

Yes, you can drift launch from the sandbar in an Easterly and float with the current until there is enough wind to get your kite in the air.
However, it might be easier to start from Viento or Home Valley instead.

hoodkiter · Since 10 Jul 2010 95 Posts Hood River, OR

How Difficult would it be to un-cancel the blowout?

according to ikitesurf, its gusting to 20 both at stevenson and the event site! straight west too!

Whoever was in charge made the call way too early...

It must be infuriatingly frustrating to organize a wind-dependent event in the gorge!

4Stringer/KipWinger · Since 27 Apr 2005 541 Posts Hood River Addicted