Launch & Leave from the sandbar

Windance Crew · Since 18 Apr 2008 473 Posts Hood River Kite Shop Obsessed

I think it's a good idea this year if we all promote riding away from the sandbar once you've launched. [b]Launch & Leave[/b]

Intermediate and experts kiters should go ride upwind to the bridge or Wells or down to the sliders but not in front of the sandbar.

Beginners and students should be left to ride there because it's their comfort zone and much safer if the better riders aren't anywhere nearby.

Throw your 2 cents if you are up for making a push on this idea.

Dave
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Moto · Since 03 Sep 2006 2698 Posts Still a gojo pimp! Moto Mouth

Sounds like a good idea.

Could someone post a picture of the currents. THey play a big factor in new people's ability to ride. Also - they should know to stay away from the whirlpool of death Sad

pauls · Since 20 Jun 2005 564 Posts Northern Portugal Addicted

Good suggestion for giving beginners a break but the schools should jetski their students well clear of the sand bar

K4L · Since 19 Jan 2009 483 Posts Obsessed

I am all for it, that is what I allways do anyway as it is much more fun getting upwind with your own space to play.
Problem I see is there are unfortunately some who cant live without the attention and like "to show off" for everybody in front of the sandbar.
Advanced/Intermediate riders should take it upwind or downwind ( kiddie pool /kickers and sliders ) but get out of the launch/land/trainee area!

Beginners see spots link at top for hood river sandbar

K4L · Since 19 Jan 2009 483 Posts Obsessed

wylieflyote · Thu Mar 25, 10 1:45 pm

SalmonSlayer · Since 27 Nov 2005 648 Posts Addicted **CGKA Member**

pauls · Since 20 Jun 2005 564 Posts Northern Portugal Addicted

noobydoobydoo · Since 15 Jan 2010 20 Posts

As a newby this year I like the sound of it. I have already had lessons so the school thing doesn't apply, but I am not an intermediate rider either.

I would gladly pay for an upwind ride on a ski though....do the schools offer that? If they don't, perhaps they should to help with congestion.

Moto · Since 03 Sep 2006 2698 Posts Still a gojo pimp! Moto Mouth

[quote="wylieflyote"]

mikeinhoodriver · Since 23 Apr 2009 440 Posts down wind somewhere Obsessed

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

I understand the whole kiddie pool thing, but just curious why other more advanced riders don't launch & leave? For me, whenever I ride down in HR, I launch and ride up to the bridge....I mean, seriously, the best wind is up there and theres ton's of sweet swell.

....good topic, Dave.

holly · Since 09 Jul 2006 440 Posts Hood River Obsessed

I think everyone should be allowed to ride where they want, that is the beauty of the sport. It is like any other sport. The whole jet-ski ride to wells is lame; you should have to work for that shit! Besides riding in crowds will only make you a better rider, you have to watch out for others which doesn’t allow you to stare at your kite. I think those that have the ability to go wherever they want will opt to leave the crowds. But we should all be respectful of each other. Some people that have the ability to go up wind may not feel safe going by themselves or they are keeping an eye on their buddy who is just learning. Some people want to show off and that’s cool too, that’s what made you want to get into it, the people that made it look cool to you. There are so many different scenarios. I think the end all of it everyone should be stoked for everyone....

Scribble · Since 18 Nov 2005 636 Posts NoPo Addicted

I pretty much always ride up to bridge or Wells Island unless the kiddie pool is not crowded.

The wind is always way stronger and cleaner up by Wells than it is at the sandbar. I usually wish I would have rigged a smaller kite by the time I get up there. But if I would have rigged a smaller kite I probably wouldn't have made it upwind. Wish there was a launch further upwind. Monkeyboy when are you going decommission that Dam and have a new spit for us to use? Get on that would you.

Windance Crew · Since 18 Apr 2008 473 Posts Hood River Kite Shop Obsessed

Good input.

Actually I think it's a great spot for schools to teach, especially if there was less traffic. So I am not for pushing the schools away, we need them for lots of reasons.

As for getting pictures taken, do that farther downwind nearer the slider park, it's perfect there.

I spoke to the other shops and a CGKA director and they all thought some signage was a good idea. Maybe it should just say [b]"Please LAUNCH & LEAVE in front of the Sandbar, unless you're a newbie" [/b]

Yes I understand we are free to ride anywhere, but a few accidents and we may not be. I am pushing for keeping the sandbar safe and open forever.

Dave

forrest · Thu Mar 25, 10 3:52 pm

I'm of the opinion that there simply needs to be a documented path for beginners, people who can't stay upwind, that allows for a downwind buffer zone. Once you can stay upwind, you can stay near the Sandbar but move upwind to allow for others. We don't need to many rules here, it's pretty simple. Busy is busy, we just all need to support each other.

The kiddie pool is kind of a different beast. Usually there is a rotation. This is not something I think the CGKA really can do much about, it's self governed: get in the rotation, relaunch quickly if you crash, allow all others to take a turn before you go back for another toss at a trick.

Sasquatch · Since 09 Mar 2005 2102 Posts PNW Bigfoot

Great post. . .I'd do this if I had the powers to edit the "spots" section, but how about an updated photo of the sandbar when someone has some spare time? That one is so '05.

Thanks.