Kiting at rowena

Justsmile · Since 20 Jul 2009 1530 Posts Not Portland XTreme Poster

Heard positive things about the spot. Can someone give me the low down about where to park and what I will find there. Thanks blake

TWIN-FIN · Since 24 May 2006 805 Posts Portland, OR Hot Monkey

Raw weenie is a SUPER SKETCH place to launch and land.
There are sharp slab rocks everywhere and it is UBER Gusty on shore.
You defiantly don't want to FUCK UP at that launch or you will DIE!
Then add sharp slimy rocks in about 2 ft deep for the first 20 ft in the water.
Once you get past the gauntlet then ya that place rocks if you can hold your own with the windsurfers.
This is not a beginners site usually it is way windier then it looks.
Bring your A game if you decide to launch and please give the windsurfers plenty of room, i.e. stay out of there way. You will want to ride down wind of the launch.
Good luck and be safe.

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1861 Posts XTreme Poster

What he said. It's not a launch for the inexperienced.

Eric

Scribble · Since 18 Nov 2005 636 Posts NoPo Addicted

Where do you set up and launch there btw? Downwind side? I've gone by there and checked it out a couple times, but never seen a kiter there.

Andy

Ryan · Since 14 Jul 2005 537 Posts Oregon Addicted

I have kited there a couple of times and found the east or downwind end the best spot. use the little bay there to your advantage so that when launching you have water downwind of you. its a great spot and worth a look if you feel comfortable launching there. there is a slight wind shadow on the water in the small bay downwind of the launch so when your done just ride in there and kill your kite and get it your self, its shallow.

Sella · Fri Sep 10, 10 6:55 am

Ditto everyone's feedback it's an experienced launch and the slippery rocks are a mo' fo'. With some small changes the site could be great kite area but there is a natural habitat area limiting options etc.

Self landing and launching not worth the risk if it's gusty so bring friends because you won't get a lot of support from the windsurfers.

If it's windy at Rowena......it's blowing other places that will give you an easier session option IMO.

lawnmower · Since 14 Dec 2007 153 Posts Stoked

Be good ambassadors for the sport. Witnessed one kiter throwing no look out of control jumps and loops right in the WSers launch and jibe area. Had many people on the beach shaking thier heads. Swell is better downwind at Doug's west anyway.

ldhr · Since 21 Jul 2009 1489 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

Ditto what everyone said. But for early season or late season when it's not crowded with ws'ers, it's not so bad. One of the few places I wear booties for the rocky launch.
One problem we have when we go there is that ther's no other kiters to help launch/land your kite. I've launcehd my buddy and then wait 20 minutes for someone who knows how to launch my kite. The beach is not user friendly for self launch or landing.
There is a nice grassy area near parking spots for puming up and folding up. We run lines and launch on theeast end of the launch.
We kite downwind away from ws'ers. The best swell is at doug's west (concrete tower on north shore).

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1691 Posts I give out bad advice.

It's a very Rocky launch.

bambam · Since 15 Mar 2005 760 Posts Hood River Photographer

Sweet, I'll be there today. Hopefully it is much too rocky and sketchy for everyone else! Learn to drift launch people, and then you will never have to rely on another person ever again.

windpower · Since 27 Jul 2010 48 Posts Hood River / Colorado

I kited at Rowena the other day, and it was really nice.

Yes, the shoreline is rocky, which is uncomfortable for those of us with sensitive feet. But problems with a rocky shoreline relate more to how good your balance is, not how good your kiting is. Just walk far in the water to launch and it's not a problem, other than the foot pain.

Downwind/upriver of the windsurfers and upwind/downriver of Doug's, there's a huge amount of open water to hang out in. You can see windsurfers upwind and downwind of you, but like everyone said, few if any other kiters typically.

I think this is a great alternative to Lyle, which is not illegal. Although, the view at Lyle is better.

Sol-flyer · Fri Oct 01, 10 10:25 am

My experience with rowena is that you have to be on your A-game. I have had plenty of good launches that went smooth. But I have also had plenty of hindenburgs, due to the lulls. it does not matter how good you think you are, A toss into rocks head first will cause severe kookness/fatality.

There is a lot of potential for a safer launch, Perhaps the CGKA can help with a beach clean up to remove a lot of the loose rock?