Anyone else notice that there a LOT of lost/stolen posts for boards/kites at the event site? It seems to be a daily occurrence. Seems like it's a bad idea to leave something there un-gaurded for even a few minutes these days.
Sella
Since 21 Apr 2007
1794 Posts
Doin' The Dalles
FLY'IN HIGH PIE GUY
Wed Jul 08, 09 1:45 pm
I was just thinking the same thing Mike. It's weird because the Event Site has a typical crowd that does not seem sketch so I think it's possibly 1 bad seed ????
You just can't leave anything sitting around I guess. Total lame deal.
shred_da_gorge
Since 12 Nov 2008
1366 Posts
Da Hood & Da Wood
XTreme Poster
Wed Jul 08, 09 2:59 pm
We were just talking about that. Maybe it's due to a sudden surge in popularity and a new crowd of folks coming from out-of-town (assuming people are stealing boards to take them out of the area to sell, or maybe to ride themselves elsewhere). Hood River has always had its share of petty theft problems (car prowls in particular) but people seem to think it's "idyllic" or "bohemian" or more of a "community" than the cities they came from. Time and time again I hear people say "oh, I never lock my house/car here", but talk to the cops and you'll find a different story.
And someone posted yesterday they had their flip-flops stolen... what is the world coming to??
My advice: lock it up and watch your friends' backs too. My Mom is in town now and has become a master at the water's edge board-swap. Get your own personal senior citizen to act as sherpa / security guard!
jackZ
Since 13 Apr 2008
355 Posts
Devon Alberta ca.
Obsessed
Wed Jul 08, 09 3:15 pmtheft
I was there Monday and asked several people if it was OK to leave stuff in the kite bag against the fence and all said it's common and OK. After my session I saw that there were indeed a lot of kite bags around . Also a lot of spectators . More and more people , a better chance there's a thief in the crowd I guess .
Speaking of how people aren't nice anymore , Im from Canada and went to launch my kite from the grassy spot .
I paid for parking and asked ,where is the grassy spot ? I was told Oh thats over there at the event site , this is the spit ( the sign on the road just says kite launch area ) Oh I guess I'll just go over there then . Could I get my two bucks back please I'm not from here and did not know ? NO , we dont give refunds was the response . I understand if someone was there for a while or used the area but I was in and out once I realized I was in the wrong location .
I hope you buy something to eat from the money and CHOKE on it ! Two bucks is not going to break me but the principal of it ......
Everyone else seemed nice .
tinyE
Since 21 Jan 2006
2004 Posts
not really an
XTreme Poster
Wed Jul 08, 09 4:44 pm
it's actually ok man... you're not supposed to launch from the 'grassy spot' anyway.
mister_ed
Since 24 Jun 2009
12 Posts
New Member
Wed Jul 08, 09 9:37 pm
blame the tourists??
as a visitor, let me thank you all for the free boards and kites you leave out for me! I can't wait to see how much $$ I get for this "gorge animal bonzer" - it looks very rare and must be valuable !!
actually, I doubt it's a tourist. half of us flew in and couldn't possibly fly back with more crap and the rest have a van full of kids who would want to know why daddy has a new board without also having first bought mommy a present.
sorry to say guys, it's usually a local looking to score some easy cash from the tourists...
Moto
Since 03 Sep 2006
2698 Posts
Still a gojo pimp!
Moto Mouth
Wed Jul 08, 09 10:09 pm
Dudes - we need to set this f*cker up!!! Seriously - we figure out what kind of gear he likes. Leave it out for him - and then pounce on the trap when he takes the bait. It'll work man. This f*ck is taking stuff in bright day light as far as I can tell - so we just leave it out a while and take shifts looking at some gear we leave out. We could leave out a kite, a board, and maybe a harness - see what his pleasure is. Then we catch the bastard!!!! _________________ Still rockin gojos, *ssless chaps, and ankle weights!
forrest
Since 21 Jun 2005
4330 Posts
Hood River
Hick
He'll probably take to stealing windsurfing gear after reading your post. I'll take a shift though!
shred_da_gorge
Since 12 Nov 2008
1366 Posts
Da Hood & Da Wood
XTreme Poster
Wed Jul 08, 09 10:38 pm
mister_ed wrote:
sorry to say guys, it's usually a local looking to score some easy cash from the tourists...
Hard to define what a 'local' is; changes year to year. After a few years here (especially winters) we get to know each other, by sight if nothing else, and even tune in to each others' patterns. I didn't use the word tourist specifically, which could be anyone from the 60-year-old in his RV at WalMart to the family hanging out while Dad kites to the 19-year-old punk who saw pictures and heard about 'the scene' in a magazine. Dig around this forum and you'll see tons of posts from people coming to check it out because they're curious, even from what they read and see here. (Heck, I'm now on a mission to find "Nak Nak Flats"... ).
This year is the first kiters can essentially fly from the Event Site, putting it close to droves of folks who simply stop on their drive through the Gorge to see what the action is all about. Not saying folks coming in from out of town are thieves - far from! - but the logic I see is that a "local" who lives and kites here for any duration knows he won't be able to sell or ride gear without it being recognized. If he moves somewhere else in September, for instance, he's not "local" (I'm not anymore for that matter). I don't think it's one person, and we can only guess it's a 'he.'
And what are you asking for that Bonzer?? I'll trade you a Dill for it!
shred_da_gorge
Since 12 Nov 2008
1366 Posts
Da Hood & Da Wood
XTreme Poster
Wed Jul 08, 09 11:00 pmRe: theft
jackZ wrote:
Could I get my two bucks back please I'm not from here and did not know ? NO , we dont give refunds was the response.
Yes, it's weak. The Port hires teenagers to run the booths at both the spit and event site during the summer. Maybe when they collect money they have to account for it somehow and can't have the till come up short if they gave a refund. I see your point entirely, just offering a possible explanation. The season pass is good at both places, don't know about day parking passes though.
Yes, it is pretty common to leave kite bags, sometimes pumps, etc, there. Sometimes an honest mistake is made and the wrong bag is taken, sometimes you'll see that posted here. You should be fine, just don't leave anything it would kill you to lose. And enjoy your visit!
Maybe with some persistence you could get your two dollars...
dangerD
Since 27 Jun 2005
223 Posts
Bingen Heights
Stoked
Thu Jul 09, 09 7:47 am
It must be the Canadians, eh?, They have vans with racks and are sick of living in our shadow.
Or the windsurfers..
they have vans and motivation too... Their sport is lame and dieing.
Some day they will lose their 'lil grassy spot. so ANGRY!
Don't steal my sh#&, Bitches
genek
Since 21 Jul 2006
2165 Posts
East Po
KGB
Thu Jul 09, 09 8:44 am
dangerD wrote:
Or the windsurfers..
they have vans and motivation too... Their sport is lame and dieing.
Some day they will lose their 'lil grassy spot. so ANGRY!
Don't steal my sh#&, Bitches
That kind of sucks. Maybe just set up a camera from someone's car.
If you windsurf enough to consider it your sport I feel sorry for you if your primary spot is the event site. Might be time to try another activity. _________________ The Slider Project, LLC
Support the cause!
http://www.sliderproject.com/
windslayer
Since 30 Apr 2007
153 Posts
Stoked
Thu Jul 09, 09 8:58 am
SOme one is having a Flip Flop Fettish at the Spit. A total of 5 people in 2 day have had there flippers stollen from the regular spot we ALL put them. WTF?? I miss my flip flops!
PLEASE RETURN THEM TO WHERE YOU FOUND THEM AND NO ONE GETS HURT!!!
windslayer
Since 30 Apr 2007
153 Posts
Stoked
Thu Jul 09, 09 9:06 am
I do both sports and LOVE them both. Please don't hate. Windsurfers have money, kiters have money, however there is some one that doesnt and they are hating on all. Keep the hate off this forume and focused on the task at hand....some one is ripping off our stuff.
pauls
Since 20 Jun 2005
564 Posts
Northern Portugal
Addicted
Thu Jul 09, 09 9:25 am
genek wrote:
If you windsurf enough to consider it your sport I feel sorry for you if your primary spot is the event site.
haha good one mate
dangerD
Since 27 Jun 2005
223 Posts
Bingen Heights
Stoked
Thu Jul 09, 09 1:18 pm
Sorry canadian pole jammers, I don't really hate you, and you're mostly too nice to steal... Groms.. I bet its those damn kidz in their baggie tshirts, flat brimmed hat.. No seriously, its a disease for some people and there is no good stereotype for whose doing it... But I've got a great idea for a set-up
Reality TV style.
Car with window down/unlocked...
Stick a camcorder on the dash facing out, recording, (with a piece of electric tape over the "on"light)
In the van next door, filming from another cam, are three thugs ready to kick the @#$ outta the thief..
now that'll make the best of Youtube
dangerD
Since 27 Jun 2005
223 Posts
Bingen Heights
Stoked
Thu Jul 09, 09 1:23 pm
Ok so collect all those single flip-flips (flip-flop?) you're holding onto incase you find the other.. and we have a old fashion Stoning with a twist..
No, no bongs needed, its an eye for an eye as we give him/her a sandal beat-down
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I'll take a shift though!