Sand is back!!!! The Future?

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1861 Posts XTreme Poster

We will need more inflation room at the grass assuming we wade out, or not. I think we can come up with a very reasonable space that allows for windsurfers to rig, store and walk into the water with their gear. Perhaps an "L" shape with the base of the L at the East, as now, and the stem of the L going West towards the bathrooms and limited to the flat portion--South-- of the grass, with windsurfing boards and sails stored on the sloped portion.

Something like that, anyway.

I have had some nice, informal discussions with two longtime, hardcore Event Site windsurfing folks. I am really encouraged by what I hear them saying. Mainly, I think we tend, like all things, to hear about the extremes, be they from the sailing or kiting perspective. These guys made it clear to me that when the sand bar is flooded they fully support getting kiters out on the water, are willing to accommodate and recognize our plight, as well as our growing numbers.

I, in turn, have a much better understanding of what the windsurfers contend with as the sand gets exposed. While I windsurfed for 20 + years, I never really used the Event Site much. Mainly, the shallow tongue moves further west which pinches everyone on the west half of the Event Site into tighter, and tighter quarters. To complicate matters, as windsurfers get closer to the western jetty their sails are in a wind shadow created by the jetty. They drift out and downwind to water start, which puts them in the launch zone. They don't want to be there anymore than we want them to be there.

If all of this were up to me--which it isn't--I would propose the following:

1. Event Site open to kiters from Sept 6 (day after Labor Day) through June 30.

2. Increase the pump and dry area during all times and allow lines to be attached, with the expectation that they get IMMEDIATELY rolled up on the bar.

3. Between July 1 and Sept 5 kiters are to launch/land from the sand.

4. Kiters and windsurfers are discouraged from high speed travel, jibes, jumps etc close to the event site--get out of the "look at me zone." Both user groups have a small number of riders who abuse this. The maddest I have been in the last 15 years was when a windsurfer used my then 8 year old's head as a jibe buoy, as my son was practicing his windsurfing water starts. The sailor's comment to me was, "He shouldn't be learning here."

5. In the event of another high water episode, an "Emergency Launch" contingency goes into effect, which incorporates extending the Event Site season, and/or expanding/reopening the Marina launch, which is a pretty nice launch. Moreover, I think the improvements and excitement brought about by The Slider Project folks will make that area super appealing to the growing number of Wakestyle kiters.

I DO NOT represent the CGKA, or CGWA, though I am a member of CGKA, and a past member of CGWA.

Best,
Eric Cohn

melokitegirl · Since 28 Oct 2008 396 Posts Where the wind blows Obsessed

Repeating what someone else said... Eric for President!

You have the patience of a saint. If someone did that to my kid, I'd have to open a can of whoop ass.

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1861 Posts XTreme Poster

Appreciate the kudus, but truth be told, it's a lot easier to remain patient when one can pick and choose when and how they are involved in all of this. Forrest and Pepi do not have that luxury. They do it all, all the time, thick or thin, windy or not. Huge numbers of hours.

They are truly the patient ones. We are fortunate, indeed.

Much Respect
Eric