CGKA - EVENT SITE REMINDER - 2 MORE DAYS LEFT TO LAUNCH

cgka · Since 18 Jul 2006 278 Posts Obsessed

Just a quick and friendly reminder that the temporary kiteboard launch and landing access will run out on Friday June 17th.
After June 17th, we will continue to retain the now expanded PUMP AND DRY ZONE, which does not allow for launching/landing or flying lines set up.

Until water levels lower enough for access to the Sandbar via the Event Site, there are still 2 other launch sites specifically designated for local kiteboarding launch and landing access
1) SANDSPIT (aka "Kite Beach")
2) MARINA BEACH LAUNCH - temporary access through June 30th, with ongoing discussions between the CGKA and the Port of HR to evaluate possibilities of extending access as per water level needs.

2 MORE DAYS OF LAUNCHING AND LANDING AT THE EVENT SITE!

With much pride and appreciation,
The Columbia Gorge Kiteboarding Association

Rollo Tomasi · Since 17 Mar 2005 983 Posts Attractive

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

To Pepi and the rest of CGKA - THANK YOU for all you've done this spring to get us access from the Event Site! So very gratefull.
Also - big thank you to CGWA for their gracious offer to share the lawn.
Likewise to the port for being open minded and allowing us access for the past 6 weeks.

Easy access is why I moved here 20 years ago. It's why I own a home, work in Hood River, pay local taxes. This year we spent $100 for 4 passes to the Event Site parking. My whole family kites at the Event Site.

I find it hard to believe the Port is asking us to forsake the ES and move to the Spit and Marina.

For the past 6 weeks, on most windy days the kites outnumber the windsurfers by 10 to 1.... sometimes more. I have not observed a single negative incident.

Why are we being asked to leave the ES when to the best of my knowledge the "experiment" has been a great success? Have kiters not earned the right to be trusted ?

I can maybe kinda understand the "fear" that the summer crowds could potentially create chaos and danger.

But - I feel that crowding us onto the Marina (majority of kiters will not use the spit) is a potentially more dangerous situation than kiters using the ES.
I gotta say - I paid my $100 (70% of permit holders are kiters) and now I'd like equal access until such time that someone has proven that Kiting at the ES is too dangerous.

If there's danger in shared access then the windsurfers should move to the Marina (majority rules in a democracy). Windsurfers need less space to launch and they already have access to the Hook, Waterfront Park, Event Site, Luhr Jensen beach, Marina, Hatchery, Cheap Beach, Swell City and Viento.

The kiters are relegated to the Spit and the Marina. Does this seem fair to anyone?

P.S . I windsurfed for 25 years. Some of my best friends are windsurfers. I prefer to share the ES. I’m not an exclusionist. Peace love and sharing the ES !

forrest · Tue Jun 14, 11 8:40 pm

There is a lot more too it than just what you state.

1) What's the launch and land procedure?
2) What's the procedure for kites stored on the beach?
3) What can be done to improve the launch and make it more safe?
4) How can the public be better informed about these procedures?
5) Who has right of way between a landing and launching kiter?
6) How do you get in line to launch?
7) How do you get in line to land?

These are just a few of the questions that would need to be answered, documented, published to signage, tried, trued, tested, and presented to the Port so they can make an informed decision.

You're right about the parking permit numbers though.

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

What the heck is lunching a kiter?? Is that flying fixed lines at noon while everyone is eating lunch so we have free entertainment?

cgka · Since 18 Jul 2006 278 Posts Obsessed

cgka · Since 18 Jul 2006 278 Posts Obsessed