kiter down? check em out!

lance_k · Since 04 May 2005 565 Posts Hood River Photographer

i was kiting by the bridge and east wells island yesterday afternoon powered on a 7 and surfboard. pretty heavy gusty winds, not a whole lot of people out. maybe 5 other kites in the area. with another 9 peeps down by the sandbar.

on my jibe closer to wells a gust hit and snapped my spreader bar clean off.

long story short kite tumbles/inverts and lines get fouled pretty good. i'm uninjured and resort to self rescue.

i was pretty amazed that during the process of rescue (20 min to untangle lines, plus 30 minute rescue to event site) not a single kiter made way to check on my situation- especially during those powered conditions.

during the slog back two kiters made downwinders within distant contact and neither checked in. thumbs up work great.

i am fine accepting responsibilities for my own kiting and safety- i like that part alot actually. i do make it a habit to be aware of other kiters and definitely check in when i see someone else in trouble.

i'm writing this for two reasons really. reminder to peeps to check on each other... and two if you are riding solo you must accept all responsibility for your own safety- if you do not accept the risks then don't do the ride.

now how has a spreader bar i can borrow til dakine opens up monday?

Kataku2k3 · Since 14 Aug 2005 3754 Posts PDX-LA Videographer

Crazy dude. Gotta ride at Stevenson where everyone checks up on each other! Wink

Did you just self-rescue back to the WA side?

Sol-flyer · Sat Jun 06, 09 9:43 am

Yup,..this is something i noticed during my trip up to the gorge. it left a bitter taste in my mouth to see so many kiters and when someone gets in trouble,....not even a finger was lifted to help out by anyone.

It makes me think that there is a certian buzzkill that happens when so many people deal with these types of scenario's day in and day out. But it is no excuse to not help someone in need. I have come to really appreciate where i kite becuase everyone looks out for one another and will go out of there way to help a stranger who needs assistance. This is one of the biggest factors that brought me into the sport.

love thy neighbor, what goes around comes around.

pdxmonkeyboy · Sat Jun 06, 09 10:04 am

WOW, that's pretty shocking actually. I ALWAYS check up on people and shout some advice if they seem to be having difficulties. If when there is someone that I wouldn't mind seeing drown, I still lend a hand.

I do have to admit that the crowds, and people being rude when your trying to offer some advice can make a guy a little bitter and just ignore everyone else around them. But I think its important to remember that we are all in this sport together and the community is one of the things that makes kiteboarding such an awesome and rewarding sport.

So take 3 minutes out of your session and make sure that people are doing ok. When the shit hits your fan, like it inevitably will, you will be payed back in spades.

maybe its time to bump that spreader bar thread back to the top?

daveS · Since 23 Jul 2007 104 Posts Stoked

Sorry to hear that Lance. I generally feel like people are OK about that around here especially with the local crew. Things change a little when we get in to this season. Last weekend someone could have had a full time job cleaning up downed kites..etc. After having my butt saved more than once I always check on folks....especially when its big.
Dave

laura · Since 22 May 2007 111 Posts Stoked

I know what it is like to be the one swimming with no help, I know what it is like to get help from another kiter, boat, ski, etc.. , i know what it is like to check on some one, tow someone in, gear in, etc.. i know what it is like to see someone down far enough away and see that maybe those guys may be helping, IF i see the situation never changes ALWAYS do something peeps, even if that means getting someone who can, calling for help, etc.. it always matters. Lance, glad you are okay, thanks for the heads up, LM

Inept_Fun · Since 14 Apr 2005 1417 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

Lance dude!! You know that whenever your downed around the kiddy pool, we will be there to help you!!! Wells though, sorry bro I cant ride upwind that far!! Weak someone didnt help you tho, its alright, they will be in for a swim next time shit hits the fan.

jcohenx · Since 28 Aug 2007 250 Posts Portland Obsessed

Wow, that's a bummer. Glad you made it safely to shore.

I can't believe you snapped a spreader bar! Did it break at a weld point? Was the break at the hook for the chicken loop or at a loop where it meets the harness? You should definitely take a photo and see about a refund. That sounds like a way scary scenario.

Sella · Sat Jun 06, 09 12:09 pm

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

Wow! So uncool. Unfortunatley that seems to be the scene these days.

I have a 10" spreader bar w pad that you can use. I will bring it with me today. I'm launching from the hook. I drive a tan audi wagon with a nwkite sticker on the back. Come by and I'll let you use it.

Last season at Rooster, I went too far out on a light wind day, then God turned off the fun fan. I didn't see the barge coming as I was drifting down river. Ooops, apparently my self rescue skills were not up to par. My husband saw me in trouble & couldn't get to me. he asked one of the naked boat people to help get me and they said, "no". Even though they could see that I was about to become barge bait. Another boat came to my aid just in the nick of time.

Just so you know, as a mariner - you are obligated to help.

I hope that naked guy's weiner falls off.

M.

K4L · Since 19 Jan 2009 483 Posts Obsessed

I have to say every time I have been to the gorge and appeared to need assitance it has been offered, even once when i was just resting in the water with my kite parked.
Hopefully that is the norm and not Lance experiance.

Sol-flyer · Sat Jun 06, 09 2:37 pm

thanks sella,

I'll hopefully be up there a lot more this summer, So i'll be more open to the norm of the community. Gotta love the NW Cool

Pepi · Sat Jun 06, 09 3:07 pm

Hey Lance :

If you haven't already taken care of your spreader bar issue, come by 2nd Wind and we'll take care of the warrantee stuff for you and get you right back on the water.

Pepi

lance_k · Since 04 May 2005 565 Posts Hood River Photographer

undertow · Since 15 Feb 2008 371 Posts BeaversBurg Obsessed

I carry an extra kite leash, which comes in handy retrieving lost boards and pulling kiters to shore

$ociopath · Since 28 Nov 2007 523 Posts Twilight Zone Addicted

last week when i got stuck in the eddy vortex of hood river like three people tried to help. Finally Martin "MOTO" told me to aim back to the channel as the current would help my kite to relaunch, that worked after 20 minutes of downed kite battle swimming! So i thought i would throw the positive vibes in with this thread. THANKS GUYS

FunShui · Since 16 Jul 2006 146 Posts Really, really Stoked