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bulae99
Since 12 Jul 2006
1691 Posts
I give out bad advice.
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Fri Jun 03, 11 9:31 am Launching from the Event Site is a little tough...Think |
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I went out 6/2/11 at 4pm in light to gusty crap wind, but otherwise a perfect day, LOL.
Just before I went out I noticed some dude, not Eric's son, getting nearly dragged into the trees downwind of our kite section. It occurs to me that launching from the event site is not really friendly. Caution!! Think!!!
**If this happened to him it could happen to anyone.
**His mistake was taking his kite through 12 too fast. Not sure how this happened. Then when he accidentally jumped, due to his unintentionally sending the kite, he did not let go of his bar.
Owen was yelling at him, "Let your bar go!!" The guy let go, but only with one hand. This made him send the kite extra fast and he jumped.
****He was extremely lucky!!!*************
LET YOUR BAR GO!!!! LET IT GO WITH BOTH HANDS!!!!
Here is some advice for newbs wanting, needing, and yearning to "harvest wind."
1. Go as far upwind as you can to launch. Currently we have been allowed a bit more beach. This is cool, but it’s not totally clear of the fixed objects.
2. Look around and make sure you are clear. Be aware of incoming windsurfers, kites, sups or whatever. You don’t have right of way just because you are launching. Use your common sense and don’t rush your launch.
3. The wind “she is a” gusty at the event site. You can see this on the sensors and on the water. If you look in the channel, barge lane, you can often see better wind. It’s tough to get out there even for the best kiters and windsurfers. Don’t just assume your going up wind. You may, as I did, spend more time going downwind, so be prepared to deal with that reality.
4. Bring it overhead slowly and carefully!! As you pass the kite through 12 noon make sure you are careful. Watch your kite and then bring it down slowly to avoid an unwanted jump. Put your board down and think to yourself, “It’s all about the kite!!”
**It's a good idea to superman out as far as you feel comfortable. Make sure you are clear of the downwind fixed objects. Rocks and trees are there to stay. Be aware of the depth change as the snatch patch is now little Venice. “She’s a under water…” This might come in handy if you do end up going down wind. You can always come in at the spit and hitch hike back.
***Be aware of depth changes. The earth will remove fins and other things she gets a hold on.
Good luck,
Ron
Eric, I had no idea this was your son. Hope he is well and recovers fully. _________________ Hey, I'm being hahahahahrassed! Last edited by bulae99 on Fri Jun 03, 11 9:43 am; edited 1 time in total |
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bulae99
Since 12 Jul 2006
1691 Posts
I give out bad advice.
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Fri Jun 03, 11 11:12 am Eric, I think it was someone else |
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Sorry for confusion...
Ron _________________ Hey, I'm being hahahahahrassed! |
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eric
Since 13 Jan 2006
1860 Posts
XTreme Poster
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Fri Jun 03, 11 12:24 pm |
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I reread post. Was not him. He had issues coming in at 5:15, or so when he torqued his shoulder, not launching at 4. My error--sorry.
Eric |
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Youkai

Since 08 Feb 2010
553 Posts
Beaverton
Addicted
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Fri Jun 03, 11 12:45 pm |
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I kited at the event site last Saturday and it was a pain in the butt. On your way back into shore there is a HUGE wind hole when you get near the shore. The second time I came in I tried three times to get to shore before I just gave up, parked my kite on the water and swam/body dragged in. _________________ Captain kook; always wrong. |
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forrest

Since 21 Jun 2005
4329 Posts
Hood River
Hick
CGKA Member
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Fri Jun 03, 11 2:02 pm |
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Not sure letting go of the bar when you're floating through the air is the best thing to do.
It's a tough launch but everyone should know how to handle a tough launch if you use your brain and remember your kiteboarding lessons. |
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caps
Since 23 Dec 2010
347 Posts
Obsessed
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Fri Jun 03, 11 2:35 pm |
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Saw that launch as well. I agree that he powered up more than expected due to the fast swing to or past 12. I also don't think letting go completely is something I would have done. Since I can extend my arms to the stopper, letting go completely won't depower me anymore. And with a hand on the bar, I could still control the kites direction rather than slam into the rocks or other people. By letting go, you are at the mercy of the gust that sent you. And as I recall, he did then let go (after lots of encouragement) and his kite slammed into the trees and rocks as he was dragged towards them. Fortunately, he was fine and relaunched without event 45min later after detangling his lines. I'll give him credit for still having the nerve to head back out after such a "rocky" beginning. |
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pdxmonkeyboy

Since 16 May 2006
6081 Posts
forever labled as the
retired kiter & motorhead Unicorn Master
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Deapblu
Since 23 Jun 2008
27 Posts
Portland
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Sat Jun 04, 11 9:40 pm |
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Well, I will throw in my humble 2 cents since I was the one who got lofted.
Here is what happened from my point of view and what I consider to be the contributing factors to my near impalement in the trees. Hopefully it will help someone else from having to go through the same thing or worse.
I launched the kite into gusty winds while standing about 2/3rds of the way down the grassy slope. As I brought the kite up to the 12 o'clock position on my way to the river side I lost traction on the wet grass. Unfortunately the 12 o'clock position was slightly towards the down hill side so as I was trying to sheet out and bring the kite over to a more controllable position, the land was falling away from me thus reducing my ability to regain traction. (yes I was floating at times) As I neared the rocks and trees I let go of the bar with my right hand to grab the chicken loop release and that is when the kite looped. Luckily I was able to punch out before I got to the rocks. The kite flagged and landed just beyond the trees with the lines coming on the river side of them. Damage was limited to a small abrasion to the sail section of the kite.
To those who were yelling at me to let go, I appreciate all the advice and please keep giving it, but in the moment I don't remember hearing it. I was too focused on controlling the kite then trying to punch out. But thank you for taking the time to come talk to me and give me pointers afterwards.
I think the main reason I got lofted initially is because this is a new kite for me and compared to my old kites it is a lot more maneuverable. I have only had a couple sessions on it and am finding that I have a tendency to over control it, hence the fast move to 12 o'clock.
While the fast move to 12 o'clock was one thing, not taking into account the slippery grass and the down hill slope was what made the initial error into a kitemare. Even if I had let go of the bar with both hands, I don't know if there would have been enough depower to allow me to regain control of the kite and my slide before the logs and trees. It would have given me some extra time before having to punch out.
The other mistake I made was to launch without being in the water. At least then, I would have more drag to use to my advantage and I would have been clear of the trees.
The key points I have taken away from this are to really watch the speed with which the kite comes across 12 o'clock, be sure of your footing and if it isn't good, move somewhere it is better, make sure the down wind area is clear in case you do get launched, and be extra cautious in gusty conditions.
I hope this helps out others who find themselves in similar situations.
“Learn from the mistakes of others. You can’t live long enough to make them all yourself.”-Eleanor Roosevelt
Thank you again to all those who rendered help and gave advice. |
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bulae99
Since 12 Jul 2006
1691 Posts
I give out bad advice.
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Mon Jun 06, 11 4:37 am Deapblu, good for you!! |
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You did a good job of activating your safety once you came down. I'm glad you were not hurt.
Last year I got lofted at the spot unspoken. My fixed point launch anchor failed. Kite dragged me across the sand and into the air. I let the bar go and hit my chicken loop. Fell to the sand, missing rocks by inches, and kite flagged.
I was lucky.
From what I saw you didn't really get lofted, but you did get lifted a few feet. Your initial reaction was steering the kite through 12, accidentally, powering it up.
**My point here is that the Event Site is a different Launch. It's not a unsafe launch, but it's not the sand bar.
****Oh yea You had a life vest on and a Helmet!!
The first line of safety is letting go of the bar. This de-powers your kite and gives you to hands to hit the chicken loop.
1. let bar go
2. pop chicken loop
3. kite flags
4. you are safe..hopefully
**Letting go of the bar is the basic first safety. It's also very hard to do when your adrenaline is pumping through your veins and holding onto the bar seems safe. It's not. _________________ Hey, I'm being hahahahahrassed! |
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A.K.
Since 01 Jul 2006
190 Posts
Stoked
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Mon Jun 06, 11 11:55 pm |
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The event site is a constant slope of wet grass. I have seen folks wipe out here standing perfectly still! So when rushing to catch an incoming kite be careful.... |
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Surf Dude
Since 04 Jul 2008
74 Posts
Mosier, OR
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Thu Jun 09, 11 6:43 pm How to Launch safely from the Event Site |
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It seems the lesson here is that the safest launch from the Event Site would be with the kiter in chest high water when the kite is launched.
Have fun and be careful out there! |
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