South Beach Contest this weekend!!

Windian · Since 28 Apr 2008 902 Posts Newport, OR NEWPORT OG

No, it is not a kiteboarding contest. It is the Rogue Gathering Longboard Contest that will be happening at South Beach on Sat and Sun (9/12 and 9/13)

Posting this mostly to try to avoid what happened last year when some knuckleheads insisted on kiting through the contest venue and basically pissing off the surfing community and helping to make kiteboarders appear like a bunch of self absorbed kooks. The forecast looks like it could be windy on Saturday along with a macking swell that is supposed to hit Friday night. So if it is windy and the contest is going on, then here is the cardinal rule:

STAY OUT OF THE AREA BETWEEN THE 2 FLAGS WHICH WILL BE ANCHORED IN THE SAND NEAR THE WATERS EDGE AT THE CONTEST SITE!!

The surf contest basically claims a very small slice of the whole beach (maybe 10%) which leaves the rest of the place to the kiteboarders. There is plenty of room above and mostly below the contest venue for waveriding so be respectful and let them have their once a year Longboard Gathering. State Parks and Beaches and other organizations have so far been very accepting and tolerant of kiteboarding at South Beach mostly because no one is complaining. As soon as people start complaining about the behavior of rude kiteboarders is when discussions of beach closures and regulating kiteboarding at the beach happens. Other protocol which should be followed:

1. Don't fly the kites recklessly on the beach.

2. Anchor kites with handfuls of sand when not in use.

3. Be super kind and friendly to the beach tourists since they are the most vocal with the State Parks rangers.

4. Don't launch and land kites in the busiest areas of the beach.

5. Ride a safe distance away from surfers and other water users.

We can all get along just fine out there as long as we respect each other and exercise some common sense that is not ego based.

See you there, Windian

Very Happy

Chooch · Wed Sep 09, 09 6:44 pm

Thanks for the heads up Thumb's Up

genek · Since 21 Jul 2006 2165 Posts East Po KGB

Damn, it'd be interesting to see them longboard in 2.5OH waves. They gonna be hugging the jetty or a bit further out?

Perhaps post some signs (if there aren't already) in the main kiter parking lot to avoid any confusion. Hope it goes well.

Chooch · Wed Sep 09, 09 8:17 pm

Yeah I was just looking at magis seaweed.

Newport on Saturday - 13ft breaking waves. Shocked

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

11.5 ft @ 14 seconds - oh my