Launch & Leave from the sandbar

Gorgegezzer · Since 14 Jan 2007 67 Posts

The more advanced riders seem to be aware they should sail away from the sandbar and it seems almost everyone does. While it is cool to watch some riders do some tricks close in, it really does not help people like me who are trying to get a little upwind and away from the lesson area.

forrest · Thu Mar 25, 10 4:37 pm **Re: New Sandbar photo?**

We're already on it. We're working with the Port to product a sign.

mschulz · Since 29 May 2007 530 Posts Reno, NV Addicted

Every year the Sand Bar gets bigger, and every year we hear the same shit - it is too crowded, too many kooks, too many kiters in the pool, the dogs run wild, etc, etc. As Sella said in another post, it is freak'n 26 acres, how much do you need?

With all that said, I do appreciate the CGKA's continued efforts to keep the peace. If you haven't joined, do it, be part of the solution, not the problem.

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

4Stringer/KipWinger · Since 27 Apr 2005 541 Posts Hood River Addicted

Just-for-fun, here's the first crack-we-took at a diagram in 2001;

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

Could someone explain the currents. It would probably be helpful to the new people.

From what i understand the water just north of the sand bar is an eddy - so that makes it difficult for new people to stay up wind - because they are having to fight against the current. however, if they go away from the sand bar (I know - scary for a newbe) they will get the benefit of the columbia river current and its easier to stay up wind.

Someone who lives in HR could probably do a better job of explaining. I wish someone would have explained this to me when I first started kiting at HR. Would have made it easier to know that if I moved away from the sand bar - I would have gotten a benefit from the current.

Sella · Thu Mar 25, 10 7:40 pm

It seems the bulk of riders already launch and leave because as previously stated the best riding is not directly in front of the Sandbar.

Moto....I haven't noticed the current issue around the Sandbar but nobody body drags more than you so you probably know best. Very Happy

The beauty of Hood is you have so many options to ride the stoke is always positive and even when we all bitch on nwkite I've never seen anything but good vibes on the Sandbar.

I would hate to see a rule having kiters critique other kiters about their skill level and where they can, or can't ride. "Yeah, you suck, you can stay. However, you over there with the facemask, you can throw down hard, get the hell out of here." Who would enforce such nonsense and totally unnecessary IMO.

With the new school rule this year it could be improved launching and landing for everyone regarding congestion so I vote to give that time to work first and if you're local pro or big time kook, like me, treat everyone with respect and give room on land and water.

Instead of "launch and leave" how about "spread out, smile, and pick up your dog shit."

You know the season doesn't officially start until the dog poo thread get's fired up.
Very Happy

windslayer · Since 30 Apr 2007 153 Posts Stoked

What Holly Said on page one......please.....we were beginners once and we came later in the game.....I couldnt have cared less who was where.....I have health insurance......its a sport for all types and levels and the waters are for all to share. There isnt a place on the mountian I cant go just because there are beginners there.....i go where I want and I go around them.

This is an unattainable (Meaning: 1 hard or impossible to get to or get at <an eagleʼs nest in an unattainable location> — see inaccessible
2 incapable of being solved or accomplished <unfortunately, world peace is probably an unattainable ideal> — see impossible) topic and unpoliceable (Meaning: 1. Not policeable; that cannot be policed.)

Im not hating on this subject,,,,I think that this sport, in these waters ,with the rules that Im not sure who is trying to apply this, is going to work....its taking away our freedom of doing what we want where we want. There is 300 miles of area to kite in at any given time....and when it blows at the sand bar, thats where we all go.....beginners and all. Just go around them and kite...BUT DONT SCARE THEM....they might not come back and spend there money.

GO HOLLY GIRL!!!! Luv u!!

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

apctjb · Since 19 Aug 2007 438 Posts Obsessed

I read recently that kite surfing is growing at a growth rate of 20-40% per annum. That means the number of kite surfers on the planet doubles approximately every 2.6 years. Add to that the fact that the Gorge is emerging as a world class kite destination and tourism and recreation drive the local economy.

So like it or not there is going to be a lot more riders launching from the event site and spit every year and there will be rules. The question is will these rule be written and enforced by the kite surfing community or by government officials and law enforcement.

While nobody likes rules it naïve to think the status quo is going to exist for long. Would you rather be proactive or reactive?

Launch and leave makes alot of sense to me..

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

As long as you arent crashing your kite in front of me, or in the way of the sliders I could really care less where you are kiting.

shred_da_gorge · Fri Mar 26, 10 8:39 am

Sure it's a free country but "launch and leave" makes sense to make room for others (of all skill levels) to launch and land safely. So does not hanging out on the sandbar with your kites pumped up while blabbering with your friends and not paying attention to people who need to land. Saw way too much of that last year and had my leg burned by a girl who insisted that her boyfriend land her, even though he was busy talking to another girl and not paying attention (and didn't seem to know what he was doing).

K4L, thanks for posting the pic (outdated or not) with the "black holes." Gorge kiters should know that the wind stalls on the bluff side (due to the bluff, big surprise), especially as the sun sets and the wind tends toward SW. Most of us have learned this the hard way.

And another thing... dog poop... Twisted Evil

pdxmonkeyboy · Fri Mar 26, 10 8:58 am

Instead of launch and leave, how about just leave?

How about we have a sign that informs people how to put their pants on? Or maybe the correct way to wipe your bum (front to back people).?

The point being you can't legislate common sense or courtesy. Their will always be newbs and their will always be d-bags that want to throw down amoungst them. If your good enough to be annoyed by other riders then your probably good enough to sail upwind away from them.

A sign would be helpfull for visitors and serve as a general guidline but it all comes down to just being friendly. It's somewhat backwards to say the sandbar is for all the public and then turn around and try to divy it up by skill levels.

Scribble, all signs point to the creation of "sand bar north" happening this fall and selected contractors were invited to submit bids for the work. But then again, you can't under estimate the degree to which some asshole lawyer will rise up to protect the interests of someone with the money to pay for them.

Something to think about though, the sediment behind condit is roughly the same volume as that delivered by the white river landslide (which gave us the present day sandbar size) Shocked

windslayer · Since 30 Apr 2007 153 Posts Stoked

"Launch and Leave" is fine..........

............ however, it should not be made into LAW. WHatever happened to just ....I dont know.......COURTESY?? Everybody kite, everybody windsurf , EVERYBODY have fun, pay attention, and let someone else have that wave if they are lined up for it and your not (if you want)......I have been in the Hood for 20 summers, and Ive seen rules come and go, toll booths come and go, and people come and go that try too hard to make it a "better, safer place with RULES". How many of your wore helmets on your bike or skateboarding when you were kids?? Little to none?>>> and your just fine arent you. This is creating issues, drama and candyass behavior.

All I can say is...........COME GET US IF YOU CAN..............

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

Launch & Leave is just a suggestion, not a law or rule.

I hate rules too, and was thinking more along the lines of a freindly reminder sign. You can ride where you want, but if you want the opinion of most of the people responding to this post then read the sign. It will help everybody and hurt no one.

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

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