CGKA - EVENT SITE LAUNCH/LAND RULES AND COURTESY

cgka · Since 18 Jul 2006 278 Posts Obsessed

Now that we have all made it through the hairy holidays and summer is into full swing, we, the CGKA, would like to send a quick reminder to all the kiteboarders who are currently enjoying their launch and landing access at the Event Site right now.

LAUNCH and LANDING RULES : Simple Tips to Remember
1) Pump/dry and attach/remove your lines either on the upper section of the grass area, or over in the original Pump/Dry Area. This keeps the designated launch and landing zones clear for others to launch and land quickly and safely

2) Launch from the upwind box and land in the downwind box. It's pretty simple, treat this area like an aircraft carrier. Your either launching or landing in and you'd do well to clean up your gear from either zone quickly.

COURTESY :
The Event Site is the Port of Hood River's recreational property, that was specifically designated for windsurfing, but due to the highwater issue keeping our sandbar submerged, we have been given the opportunity to SHARE the Event Site with the windsurf community. If you like this situation, it would be best to treat it like a special gift that you appreciate and take care of. Please be courteous to other kiters, windsurfers, spectators on the beach and the windsurf instructors who are trying to do their job.
Yes, there have been some minor complaints, but only to warrant concerns for safety.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post and for any help that you may provide in sharing and promoting these safety and courtesy messages with the rest of the kite community.

Sincerely,
Your CGKA Board of Directors

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1860 Posts XTreme Poster

I would like to add my appreciation to CGKA for getting the Event Site set up and on going. It's really been a summer saver thus far. Boardin' Bob gets a HUGE thank you as well.

I think if we consider the number of kiters using the very limited space things are really going very well. Room for improvement? Of course, but I think everyone is working to make things run even more smoothly. To that end, I would respectfully ask that kite instructors not launch student kites, or any kites, from the landing zone, then walk the kites east at 12 o'clock to get into the water at the east jetty. Even though it's a small kite and the instructor is hooked into it, it makes landing very difficult for everyone else, forces landing kite west into the launch zone, and disrupts the flow significantly.

Eric

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

sorry Eric - i love you but i gotta disagree.
how else can the instructors get their students out to the sandbar area and launch a kite ?
do you have an alternative solution?
they could walk from the spit? for instructors based out of the event site that would add an hour to the lesson. drive over to the spit, walk out and then back and then back in the car.
i was pretty psyched to see Mike Dewitt body drag/tow students out there and give a lesson. he launched and was out to the sandbar in 30 seconds.

for us kiters, it's a minor inconvenience to have to make a couple more passes before coming in to land....
but for the schools not having a sandbar is money out of their pockets and food off their tables. they pay good money for the right to teach at the event site and should have equal access.

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1860 Posts XTreme Poster

Couple of ideas:

1. Instructor launch kite in launch area do a quick drag out and down to sand. Client gets in water at east jetty and meets instructor

2. Same launch, but client holds onto instructor's vest and they drag out and down to sand

I have done both of these with over 300 kids over the last 11 years from the hideous hook launch. Works great.

Eric

K4L · Since 19 Jan 2009 483 Posts Obsessed

Cap · Since 12 Mar 2008 50 Posts Hood River

I received this from Boardin' Bob who said he wasn't able to post it. He's put a lot of effort into trying to promote and develop safe launch and landing for kiteboarders.
Thanks Bob,
Cap

Bob,
I've corrected spelling and put in a larger font a few passages that I
think that you might reword.

Thank you all for taking the time to read this and offer your support.
As most of you know I have been trying my best to be an active
participant in an effort to make sure safe launching and landing at
the event site has been a success for the past few weeks. Myself and
probably most of us are very thankful of the support the Port of Hood
River has offered us in giving us the opportunity develop the "Flight
Deck". This Fourth of July weekend was the ultimate test due to the
fact that our access to the water was very limited due to the
fireworks and limited southerly wind conditions. I thank almost all of
you for your support and efforts to make it safe weekend for everyone.

Unfortunately it only took a few kiteboarding / windsurfing shops and
schools to put us all in a very dangerous situation. I'm sure most of
you know who they were due to the logos on their sails / kites and
names on their jerseys and do not want to mention specific names at
this time on a public forum. Some of the offenders have come up to me
to apologize and agree to follow the rules that just about all of the
hundreds of kiteboarders have adhered to during the past few weeks.

I am in support of the "general kiteboarding public" and the many non
kiteboarding and windsurfing people of our community who come to watch
and enjoy our sport. Not everyone appreciates kiteboarding and no one
can satisfy everyone in the community. Especially some businesses that
are involved in kiteboarding and windsurfing that focus on making a
profit for themselves rather than doing what is best for the majority
of the kiteboarding community. I know everyone has a right to make a
living and that is fine as long as it does not effect the lives and
safety of the majority of the kiteboarding community.

At this time, I feel we have the general support or most of the people
who live in the Gorge to enjoy the "Event Site" as we have been doing
the past few weeks. Yes we had some busy days and a few stressful
moments but generally things went well for just about everyone. We
will have some bumps in the road and some growing pains but feel most
of us agree that kiteboaridng is an established growing sport that
deserves similar water access just like the many other forms of water
sports that exist in the Gorge. Yes I am also a windsurfer and
"windsurfers were here long before kiteboarding but so were the
Indians."

We are facing the most stressful year for kiteboarders in the Hood
River area due to the fact that the water has been very high and
the "sandbar" is more of a "sand island" due to the fact
that the Hood River has eroded our passage to the sandbar into a very
deep trench that we will probably have to swim across working against
a swift current the rest of the summer. Yes it is possible to do if
you are a very good swimmer and luck is with you but I do not know of
any windsurfer that is eager to take on such a challenge. Some of us
kite very well but only have one leg and that swim is very tough for
them and walking in the sand is not easy. The swim across the ditch
is a good test and training for beginner to intermediate kiteboarders
and highly recommended but is no fun for the experienced kiteboarder
who hardly even gets wet after an entire session.

I myself like launching and landing from the nice grassy lawn of the
event site, think the "flight deck" is a safe area for advanced riders
and should not be used by any students or inexperienced kiteboarders.
Yes at some time we may have an accident just like any sport but feel
we have entered a time where kiteboarding should not be discriminated
against if set rules are followed.

Due to the self-interest of a few shops and schools, I feel we may be
in a position that kiteboarding may become looked down upon by the
general public. I do not feel it is fair for a few business owners
and workers to push kiteboarders into areas the general public and
beach users have been accustomed to using in the past without proper
guidance and rules. The general public sees the event site as just
that, an event site. They like to watch the "air show" and think
advanced pilots should have a "runway" that is not dirty, dusty and
with the best possible wind for launching and landing. They also
generally feel we should have the same rites to access to the water as
windsurfers. I do feel it is a good idea to establish some rules and
separation but do not feel it is fair to have all kiteboarders swim
and walk out there while all windsurfers enjoy the nice lawn and shade
just a few steps away from their vehicle.

Yes the kiteschools and shops are becoming a bit of a "shit show" and
have always competed against one another but please let the many
experienced kiteboarders who live and work in this area all year enjoy
part of the lawn, and shade without a long walk, swim and dusty road.

Thank you for your time and interest,

Boarding Bob

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1860 Posts XTreme Poster

It would be nice if the CGWA, CGWA, and any shops/schools who are having difficulties with the issues brought about by high water--no sand--could meet and try and work something out that works reasonably well for everyone. I think it's pretty clear that windsurfing, kiteboarding, and increasingly SUP and swell kayaking are becoming an important staple of our water front. It's really a rare and wonderful place. The painful irony being access to the water has always been an issue. I have to believe that we can continue to work together to find reasonable solutions to the inherent problems brought about by many water loving folks confined to a smallish access area.

From my perspective, the following are apparent:

1. Many folks come here to windsurf, and very much enjoy the Event Site.

2. Kiteboarders are increasing in numbers rather quickly and also enjoy the access and parking/facilities at the Event Site. This year, they flock to the Event Site as one of the very few viable access points within many miles

3. Both windsurfing and kiteboarding schools are having a tough time running their lessons, which I have to believe is having a significant impact on their summer revenue stream. This must be doubly tough when I assume they also pay a concession fee to the Port, insurance etc.

4. The CGWA reached out to the CGKA this spring to help kite enthusiasts through what we all hoped would be a limited high water period. Obviously, this is not the case.

5. I strongly believe that cutting Event Site access to kiters is not the way to go. I feel equally strongly that businesses who have paid for their schools to be at the Event Site, be they windsurfing, or kiteboarding need to be able to run programs to stay in the black.

We CAN work this out. Moreover, I believe it's in everyone's best interest to do so. Like many long time Hood River families my house is a mixed bag of windsurfers, kiters, and water lovers in general

Respectfully,

Eric Cohn

HRnico · Since 22 Mar 2008 262 Posts Da Hood Obsessed

I concur, Bob and Eric. Port meeting Tuesday 5:00 PM

cgka · Since 18 Jul 2006 278 Posts Obsessed

hilton · Since 15 Aug 2008 801 Posts Opinionated

New Event Site kite launch protocol in effect.

Marmot · Since 08 Aug 2007 108 Posts Lyle, WA Stoked

utahboy · Since 10 Jul 2005 16 Posts Salt Lake City

I agree with Eric's comments about multi use at the event site. we are a family of kiters and windsurfers. It is quite nice to all share the same beach. The world of water access is about access, not the mode of fun. thanks to all the folks making it work for everyone.