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kitezilla
Since 22 Jun 2006
453 Posts
gorge
Obsessed
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 Wed Jun 10, 09 6:25 am |
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Forest,
Thanks for the link.
In the first picture, check out the 1930 "kite beach" in the lower left hand corner...sand, sand, sand!
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magicmaker
Since 29 Oct 2006
895 Posts
da Hood
Opinionated
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| Wed Jun 10, 09 8:44 am |
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| kenja wrote: | Pepi -
You have obviously been in the trenches for a while and are sensitive about the ground that's been taken already. I respect that and plan to help out where I can as well. But IMHO sometimes its a good thing to look at the big picture instead of tip-toeing around it. While you are one of the few I have heard from who actually claims to know the history, you should also realize that 95% of the people who kite here don't. To those people, the situation looks pretty messed up and they're liable to say so, as I did. You can slam them/me for not doing anything about it, being newbies, or whatever... The people who think the situation is F-ed up are the people you want as part of the process. Instead of scolding people for sharing their observations and opinions, why not try to get people involved by agreeing that it's messed up (It's pretty obvious, right?) and giving them some ways they can help.
To expect people to keep their mouths shut and not talk about it is not realistic, no matter how much time or energy you or anyone else has spent inching out victories over the last several years, volunteered or not. Don't take it personally.
My point with the crappy website comment is that we had four people wanting to join the CGKA of which zero of us signed up because we couldn't figure out how/where. It wasn't a slam to the CGKA, board members, or anyone else. As I mentioned, I'd be glad to help with getting that fixed. With 10 minutes, we could have the new wordpress site ranked at the top of Google and eliminate the 2007 version of the site from their rankings all together. If you don't want my help, have your webmaster look up "301 redirects".
If you're really sensitive about the history, ongoing efforts, and wanting people to tip-toe around the issue of kiter access, then fixing the website, getting up to date information published, and helping people find it would help a lot. It would also help build momentum for the cause. Again, I'm happy to volunteer. |
Kenja-
I welcome your help. One other person and I had been responsible for the website until Nicole became involved with it, and truthfully, yea, I dont really have time to work on it, well maybe a little this week, but, anyway.
I want to say your statement about the launching situation being fucked up, is just plain weak. you simply state "It is pretty obvious" without actually backing up your argument with hard facts or at least personal experience. Furthermore, where is a resolution or at least an opinion on what should be changed or fixed? your criticism isn't even that, it is just whining, IMO, because you're not backing it up with anything of what you want to see changed. You need more substance in your argument. What because there are tons more kiters and very few windsurfers right now with the high water? it is obvous? The thing is, for people that have lived here and kited here for more than a year or two, the current situation is the norm and actually, it is better than it has ever been. Here, let me give you a little history lesson.
The CGWA started in the 80's raised over 100's of thousands of dollars and that is why they have the event site. It isn't discrimination, it is just how it is. They were here first. Now, since we came second, we got the sandbar; So we have the entire sandbar, which except for about 1 month a year, is the most water front realestate of any sailing / kiting site in the Gorge. They segregated us for safety reasons in the beginning because the eventsite is a MUCH MUCH smaller site than most and it is not a safe launch. You have slippery grass walking down the the rocks and you have to bring your kite up overhead to get out to the water with a fence directly downwind, dealing with a funky wind shadow all the while avoiding people, kids, windsuring gear, sun bathers, etc.
So what are people complaining about, again? oh yea that is right, the high water. did i mention I LOVE the high water? it is like my own personal shallow flat water playground when its' empty, but i digress. Well, we have dealt with high water every year, some years worse, but none as bad as the last two years. And well, you just have to deal with it. When i was a beginner and there was high water and the sandbar parking lot was too crowded for beginners to rig and launch from, we poached out of the Marina but that got shut down really quick. Anyway, long story short, i got involved with the CGKA 3 years ago, why? because there wasn't enough room for a beginner to launch. And guess what? Now, this year for the first time ever, kites are allowed at the Event site. Change doesn't happen overnight; in fact, it has taken years to build the CGKA and kite community into a respectable organization that can approach the Port, the Army Corp of Engineers and other controlling factions like the Water Front Recreation Comittee with requests and proposals to help facilitate the needs and wants of our community. Hopefully you both see how history makes a difference?
I do have to add, that the only people I hear bitching about the launching situation are those that can't deal with it because launching off the sandbar with water washing over it and your kite, constantly moving it the whole time, and then run and connect 4 lines without them getting tangled, is extremely difficult, but do-able.
| K4L wrote: |
.... as an outsider I dont feel I need to learn the history of the area to voice my opinion. As a recreational area a community does have to cater to visitors if they want their money, locals may not like it but it seems like basic economics to me. |
K4L, IMO, i think that is an ignorant statement. You should respect other peoples cultures and histories where ever you travel for it is the people in the place you travel that make it so special. And anyway, you're not voicing your opinion, you're criticizing people you dont know, anonymously, over an internet forum. Not only are you criticizing us, but you're making yourself look like a jerk by saying You dont need to know anything about a place or it's history before you start running your mouth, err, your keyboard. Do you mean to tell me that whenever you go visit a new kiting location, you don't ask one of the locals what the local setup is? It isn't that the CGKA gets offended over a little criticism, it is just that we get tired of hearing the same things from anonymous nobodys over the internet. I pretty much quit posting on the forum for this reason, but for some reason, i feel i need to say something about it this morning.
I think you have it all backwards as far as the economics and politics go. People like myself and the rest of the CGKA and other volunteers, who get nothing from visitors but still work our asses off to make the Gorge a better place because we choose to live here, but also because most of us do enjoy sharing this place with everyone else. A lot of what makes the Gorge so fucking awesome in the summer time is all the Events that go on and the people they bring in. It is people like Pepi and the CGKA who make it possible. We encourage people to come to town, not that we have to encourage people; they will come anyway because of the wind, but we do try to make it a better place when they do come.
I'd like to end on a good note and say one of the things i love about Hood River as a local is how much it changes in the summertime when all the tourists and out of towners are here. I like bringing people to town, I enjoy showing people a good time, I welcome everyone and hope to see you both at the meeting on Friday. Peace!
Last edited by magicmaker on Wed Jun 10, 09 8:54 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Lurk
Since 04 Apr 2009
355 Posts
Obsessed
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| Wed Jun 10, 09 8:53 am |
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As an outside observer I would like to add that some of you seem to be politically very naive. I want to thank the CGKA and its members for their work. I have been coming to the Gorge since 1995, first to windsurf and much later to kite. I personally no longer give a shit about the spit since unhooking there totally sucks with newbs, gusty wind and underwater rocks in the ponds, but access is always important.
My point is most of you don't know how it was back in the day when windsurfing was new and the locals hated us. I remember when having boards on top of your car marked you as some kind of idiot. (much like today hehe) But it was windsurfers who developed the sites, improved access and stopped developers from raping the waterfront for business interests. YOU OWE THEM THEY DON"T OWE YOU. SO all your whining really pisses me off. I no longer windsurf and think its pretty stupid with what kites can do, but I totally respect windsurfers for what they accomplished and doubt many of you have the same abilities. Good luck, it sounds like you will need it.
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pdxmonkeyboy
Since 16 May 2006
6081 Posts
forever labled as the
retired kiter & motorhead Unicorn Master
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| Wed Jun 10, 09 9:15 am Re: OK, so what are the current efforts that CGKA |
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| bulae99 wrote: | ok, so what are the current efforts that the CGKA is engaged in? What can us complainers do besides post?
I think it sucks that we only have access to 1/5 of the beach. The amount of kites on a light wind day far exceed the sails. |
I was going to post but I don't want to piss off Adam.
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forrest
Since 21 Jun 2005
4330 Posts
Hood River
Hick
CGKA Member
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| Wed Jun 10, 09 9:24 am |
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Ya'll just need to do what the rest of us did 2 years ago when we were sick and tired of the way things were going and wanted to know more about the CGKA and get involved: Just come to a meeting.
Websites are great and all, but...
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pdxmonkeyboy
Since 16 May 2006
6081 Posts
forever labled as the
retired kiter & motorhead Unicorn Master
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| Wed Jun 10, 09 9:30 am |
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| [size=7]have a meeting in Portland and see how many people from HR attend.....[/size]
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Mark
Since 20 Jun 2005
3678 Posts
I need my fix because I'm a
Naishaholic
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| Wed Jun 10, 09 9:38 am Re: OK, so what are the current efforts that CGKA |
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| pdxmonkeyboy wrote: | | bulae99 wrote: | ok, so what are the current efforts that the CGKA is engaged in? What can us complainers do besides post?
I think it sucks that we only have access to 1/5 of the beach. The amount of kites on a light wind day far exceed the sails. |
I was going to post but I don't want to piss off Adam. |
You did post and you DID piss me off. Join up you cheap son of a B******
Or shut up.
_________________
Cleverly disguised as an adult...
www.naishkites.com |
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forrest
Since 21 Jun 2005
4330 Posts
Hood River
Hick
CGKA Member
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| Wed Jun 10, 09 9:41 am Re: OK, so what are the current efforts that CGKA |
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To late, I caught your post.
Give me access to launch and land on the grass, give me a website, give me a meeting in Portland... Gimme Gimme Gimme. "Give me convenience or give me death!".
The Website has been tough because it's a lot of hours of work and no one has time to dedicate to it.
Everyone on the BOD lives or has a second residence in Hood River or White Salmon with the exception of one or two. The majority of the BODs come out to Hood River for weekends. The meetings are in Hood River because that's whats easiest for the majority involved.
The CGKA already costs all of us a lot of time and moving the meetings to Portland would only further our overhead.
If you want to be involved, come get a session in on Friday and then join us for a meeting afterward. If you can't join us for the meeting, you could read the meeting minutes on the CGKA section of the website if you're a member. I'll bring up the option opening up the CGKA portion of the website to non-members as well.
| pdxmonkeyboy wrote: | | bulae99 wrote: | ok, so what are the current efforts that the CGKA is engaged in? What can us complainers do besides post?
I think it sucks that we only have access to 1/5 of the beach. The amount of kites on a light wind day far exceed the sails. |
I know most of you guys, and you know me. I posted something before about this fact about the CGKA and so did Brett. The response I got was "people that have opinions should run for a board seat". I really didn't want to comment for fear of being labeled as the complainer but since someone brought it up, I thought I would re-enforce his comment as it is frustrating thing for many members and potential members that I have spoke with.
The simple truth of the matter is that nobody knows what is going on with the CGKA or even more importantly, what can the members do to help, or what is the CGKA's "guidance" for making things better!! I mean, Lyle has essentially been shut down and the CGKA didn't say a peep about the situation.
As a non-member, yes, I have not joined yet, as in all honesty, I wanted to see the legitimate website launched before I joined; there is really no means to find out what is in the works. I can't get into the CGKA forum and the website doesn't contain all whole lot of info.
Even a simple couple of paragraphs about the event site "situation" or "history" would help tremendously. It would be nice to launch from there but it is not a huge deal for me personally. Someone did make a very good point however, that the amount of access points vs the number of users is WAY skewed against the kiteboarders. I have several theories as to why this could be..history, the CGWA "stronghold", the potential hazards of kiteboarding, general lack of space.. but in reality, I have no idea what the real reasons are. Is there some way to help? Has anyone thought of having a petition drive for members and NON MEMBERS in order to quantify just how many kiters want to use the event site? Would this even do any good?
It is not just the kiteboarders that are actually members of the CGKA that utilize the resources of, and spend their money in HR. Whether the city wants to realize it or not, it seems to me the recreationalists are the ones pumping all the cash into the city. You know what is kind of funny, I did a thorough search of all the HR city, port, economic development, and some realty websites a month or two ago and I did not find a SINGLE reference to kiteboarding. It was windsurfing or "other activities". Is that the issue? Did the rest of the city not get the memo that windsurfing has been canceled?
I guess the whole point to my post is that kite boarding community is more than just the CGKA members and neither the members nor the community at large really knows what is going on. I know you guys are working hard for free and the work is neither easy or enjoyable. I do think however that there would be a whole lot less "bitching" going on if people had an actual idea of the issues that are being faced or what they could do to help. |
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Mark
Since 20 Jun 2005
3678 Posts
I need my fix because I'm a
Naishaholic
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| Wed Jun 10, 09 9:42 am |
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FYI.
We were able to get a small portion of the Event site as a "test" section. If we can document the need for more space, (Please help do a head count and PM me) We have a shot at getting more space.
Its Very important we follow their rules:
NO LINES attached to the kites.
Kites must stay on our side of the line.
Please help "self police" thier guidelines. OR we will LOSE the eventsite in Sept.
_________________
Cleverly disguised as an adult...
www.naishkites.com |
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forrest
Since 21 Jun 2005
4330 Posts
Hood River
Hick
CGKA Member
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| Wed Jun 10, 09 9:51 am |
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My previous post comes off a little rude. We could waste a bunch of resources making a website talking about hte problems, or just try to get the problems solved and then there would be no point in a website.
Ya'll gotta try and have some faith that we're trying to move forward on our access issues.
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pdxmonkeyboy
Since 16 May 2006
6081 Posts
forever labled as the
retired kiter & motorhead Unicorn Master
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| Wed Jun 10, 09 10:00 am |
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| Mark wrote: | | You did post and you DID piss me off. Join up you cheap son of a B**** OR shut up |
Thanks for missing the point of my post. I think I'll choose the latter option for now.
BTW, I spoke with the Sauvie Island manager and the clean up should take place on July 6th. So instead of spending three hours in the car to tell the group that, you can.
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chanson
Since 31 Jan 2006
1874 Posts
WISCONSIN
Chimey
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| Wed Jun 10, 09 10:03 am |
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just trying to lighten things up a little but this has to be the longest lasting Hein post ever! 
might be time to step-away-from-the-computer  and easy with the language.. 
no nwkite and no kiting make homer go crazy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yGJGTjV2WE
Last edited by chanson on Wed Jun 10, 09 10:08 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Mark
Since 20 Jun 2005
3678 Posts
I need my fix because I'm a
Naishaholic
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| Wed Jun 10, 09 10:06 am |
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Hopefully point made.... (I edited)
_________________
Cleverly disguised as an adult...
www.naishkites.com
Last edited by Mark on Wed Jun 10, 09 10:12 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Sol-flyer
Since 21 Mar 2006
1280 Posts
Dude, where's my Bus?
Otto Mann
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| Wed Jun 10, 09 10:11 am |
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I just wanted to get my 2 cents in here,...
I have'nt been reading everyone posts, mainly cause my attention span is rather limited. But I have nothing but respect for everyone involved in the CGKA, Which is why I support them and have become a member, Even though I am from southern oregon and might ride up there once in a great while. As a kiter, I find it nessacary to keep a positive outlook and support everything the CGKA has done. Our access would be all but gone without some kind of organized effort.
like ghandi once said, "you must be the change you want to see in the world"
-matty (sol)
_________________
I stretch my wings and pull the strings |
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Scribble
Since 18 Nov 2005
636 Posts
NoPo
Addicted
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| Wed Jun 10, 09 11:28 am |
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Monkeyboy. Start up a Sauvie Island Kiteboarding Assos. and we can have east/west showdown!!! Don't forget Sauvie is DIRTY!!!
One of the funniest things I've ever seen was a East Coast vs. West Coast ventriloquist gang war spoof, on Mr. Show with Bob and David.
Andy
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pkh
Since 27 Feb 2005
6549 Posts
Couve / Hood
Honored Founder
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| Wed Jun 10, 09 11:38 am |
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Hey lets move on, the CGKA meeting on Friday would be a good place to continue the discussion. Or if somebody wants to start off a thread with a more respectful tone that might be good.
Not saying there isn't some informative posts in here, thanks for everyone's insights.
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