Question about kite etiquette?

kitemare · Since 23 Mar 2010 265 Posts Seattle, wa Obsessed

Granted this past weekend on the sandbar has been super crazy, but did anyone else experience a higher than average number of other "self taught" kiters crashing into them or was it people just crashing into me?

Today I was looking for a kite leash someone had dropped in the water, so I was just trolling back and forth in search mode and someone came up behind me and ran his kite into mine getting it all tangled. Luckily I was able to get clear but here in lies my question:

If there is someone out kiting being extremely reckless, usually this is the case in the "school zone" and they're buzzing the students; is there anything we can do about it?

I usually will ask the person to leave, politely of course followed by colorful expletives Very Happy

and tell them to go and take a lesson from a certified school. In one circumstance I had to just deflate the person's kite because he kept crashing it on other people and when he crashed it next to me on the beach, I pulled the deflate and handed his kite to him and asked him to leave.

So what are your guys' thoughts? Is there anything that can be done about the Kamikaze Kiters?

KimSoderholm · Since 12 Aug 2009 102 Posts Stoked

Regardless of what newbs and kooks might pull, my thought is this:

Respectfully talk to them in a positive way, encourage them to take lessons, maybe even give them a pointer or two. Refer them to one of the local instructors or kiteboarding schools ( like you mentioned ). By using "colorful expletives" your probably not going to achive anything.

Ride upwind of the sandbar if its to crowded for you, or downwind closer to the marina ( granted you were looking for a leash ). Move to the end of the sandbar to line and launch your kite if it feels safer?

Give the newbs the prime real estate so its easier for them to learn perhaps?

By kicking people of the sandbar you might also be kicking business out the door that others in Hood River depend on to make a living.

grinder · Mon Jul 12, 10 4:49 am

This is probably one of those 'different strokes' deals. Some things are right for some people and others need 'sumpin else.

Even with lessons I am sure I got in the way more than once while I was doing my best to be a good kite citizen. One experience with a solid bitching out did more harm than good. I think lots less of a guy who is generally considered a hero on this forum, and you won't see me sending anybody his way.

I am over the hump now, but appreciate more the friendly advice along the way and encourage everyone to pass it on!

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1691 Posts I give out bad advice.

It's really fun to just sit and watch the event site on occasion.

The Sandbar restaurant is a great place to just grab a drink and watch. Many of you know me as bulae99, but in fact I'm an undercover kiteboard detective for the CIA.

As such, I'm often seen carrying my 20 by 80 Nike Binoculars.
I primarily carry these for 2 reasons, but I also carry them to watch people on the Event Site.

So here is my take on The Event Site and all of the kites and people. The fact is that we attempt to control our kites as much as possible, but stuff happens. The variables are endless. Wind, water, people, and hidden objects all concentrated into the one spot is going to eventually end up creating an issue.

Much like a bull in a China shop you should expect to have issues eventually. Trust me I live Da Gorge and I work in Hood River and sail the Event Site. My sense of ownership, purchasing a parking permit, paying taxes, hell I even joined the CGKA, are growing much like my tomato plants. But, when I see hundreds of kites sometimes I just sit and watch.

Thanks,
Ron

Very Happy

pappas · Since 10 Jun 2007 58 Posts

STOP RIDING IN THAT AREA AND BECOMING PART OF THE PROBLEM

malk415 · Since 10 Dec 2009 4 Posts Kook

Whoa....

Scribble · Since 18 Nov 2005 636 Posts NoPo Addicted

Sol-flyer · Mon Jul 12, 10 8:26 am

I just gotta say the area upwind of the sandbar is a complete SHIT SHOW

Scribble · Since 18 Nov 2005 636 Posts NoPo Addicted

pdxmonkeyboy · Mon Jul 12, 10 9:13 am

I'm sorry if your a beginner, a newb, or your 60. If you can't control your kite THEN YOU DON'T FUCKING BELONG DOWN AT THE SANDBAR.

I'm not talking about "yeah I can barely get upwind" or "I can do it, but I'm not comfortable" I'm talking about not even being able to FLY a kite, let alone actually get on a board.

I went down last friday for about an hour. I saw NO less than three people who had no fucking idea what was up.. tomohawking shit into the ground, back stalling the shit out of their kites until they crashed into the beach, and another guy that thought sliding across the ground on his face was some version of kiteboarding.

I'm sorry, but it's pretty damn arrogant and just plain rude to get into a sport and expect everyone to get out of your way because your either A. reckless or B. nervous. Most people don't want to kite around the kooks anyways but if your nervous or don't like the crowds cause your not confident in your skills, then perhaps you don't belong there. Everyone went through the same damn thing when they started EVERYONE. Just nut up and deal with it.

Seriously, if you don't know that you should sheet out when your kite is flying backwards... it kind of begs the question...What do you know?

Pepi · Mon Jul 12, 10 9:16 am

Is it paintball gun time?

jbruxer · Since 24 Jul 2005 398 Posts Beaverton, OR Obsessed

pdxmonkeyboy · Mon Jul 12, 10 9:49 am

I was thinking blow darts tipped with tranquilizers.

Seriously though, its pretty agro to deflate someones kite. I'm on my way to get a session, not get in a shouting match. Nor do I want to take half an hour to give a lesson. What else can you do?

Sella · Mon Jul 12, 10 10:22 am

Everyone is getting so fired up....so funny. I think the point is clear....if you ride the Gorge you need to know how to fly your kite very well because the Sandbar will be crowded this time of year. That's just common sense.

So many people have NO clue about kiteboarding but everyone wants to do it because if you sit at the Event Site for a day it looks pretty easy and damn fun. How many of us have friends that say "hey, can I try that?". They don't know shit about lessons, self rescue, trainer kites etc...etc....they just Ebay-up and bring it. Those ass clowns will ALWAYS be around so just stay away from them and laugh.

Nwkite is a learning tool for guys and gals already taking the initiative for the next level....but still kooking out....so they need to know the Gorge is NOT a newbie friendly place because the wind around the Sandbar and Event Site is not always the cleanest so it will challenge veteran riders and identify kooks quickly since they have a high tendency to stall their kite often. Goes back to you better know how to fully fly.

Experienced riders need to be helpful and understanding and definitely aware of what is going on around them at all times.

Why deflate the kite???? I agree with Monk...it is totally agro.

For safety? No, it's because your pissed because the newbie flew into you while you're trolling the shore for a leash??? If you're riding downwind in the impact zone staring down at the water what do you expect? If he's tomma-hawking why are you even any place near the idiot? I've never seen anyone deflate someone's kite that doesn't take a bad situation to worse very quickly and most of the time...totally unnecessary IMO. As Kim stated, offering a few pointers will help or ask them what they want help with. Sometimes it's hilarious what their response is....and if they don't listen...or absolutely have no clue....tell them they will kill themselves today, hand the kite back to them and wish them luck. If the kites deflated you lose the opportunity to enjoy a great show. I like to think of it as "thinning the herd."

Many dumb people in this world.....I view getting fired up at them only impacts my time on the water. Don't give anyone 30 minutes of your time for a lesson because then you're being dumb. Maybe 30 seconds and then head to the WS bridge for some tastiness.

pdxmonkeyboy · Mon Jul 12, 10 10:32 am **Re: Question about kite etiquette?**

wylieflyote · Mon Jul 12, 10 10:39 am

Campbell · Since 07 Sep 2008 409 Posts Camas, WA Obsessed

Totally agree. There's no messier place to kite than the sandbar. I don't know how all those kites don't make even the most experienced kiter nervous. The only time I'm down there is on a weekday afternoon. It's like going to Meadows on a pow Saturday. No thanks.