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matt99eo
Since 12 Jun 2008
72 Posts
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 Mon May 24, 10 8:55 am Rufus Kitemare: BE CAREFUL |
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I witnessed a near collision between a kiter and a barge yesterday at Rufus. 
It sounds like the kite went down and floated towards the person who was unable to relaunch and then ended up tangled in the lines. Another kiter helped brake the kite free of the rider and pulled her to shore. Both kite and board were lost but everybody was okay.
Reminder that the current out there at Rufus -- especially when ALL the flood gates are open -- is extreme! Not only can a board be lost easily but if your kite goes down it will float towards you.
WHEN VISITING THE GORGE PLEASE BE CAREFUL AND RESPECT THE RIVER |
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Wind Slither
Since 04 Mar 2005
2619 Posts
The 503
METAL
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| Mon May 24, 10 10:15 am Re: Rufus Kitemare: BE CAREFUL |
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| matt99eo wrote: | Not only can a board be lost easily but if your kite goes down it will float towards you.
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Might need to call Hein in for the Physics analyticals...but how can the kite float towards the rider, if the rider is in the same current and the wind is blowing the kite the opposite direction?
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Gman
Since 11 Feb 2006
4911 Posts
Portland
Unstrapped
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| Mon May 24, 10 10:38 am Re: Rufus Kitemare: BE CAREFUL |
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| Wind Slither wrote: | | matt99eo wrote: | Not only can a board be lost easily but if your kite goes down it will float towards you.
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Might need to call Hein in for the Physics analyticals...but how can the kite float towards the rider, if the rider is in the same current and the wind is blowing the kite the opposite direction?
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riding the bow wave of a barge?
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Moto
Since 03 Sep 2006
2698 Posts
Still a gojo pimp!
Moto Mouth
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| Mon May 24, 10 10:44 am Re: Rufus Kitemare: BE CAREFUL |
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| Wind Slither wrote: | | matt99eo wrote: | Not only can a board be lost easily but if your kite goes down it will float towards you.
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Might need to call Hein in for the Physics analyticals...but how can the kite float towards the rider, if the rider is in the same current and the wind is blowing the kite the opposite direction?
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An eddy or wind switches direction??
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genek
Since 21 Jul 2006
2165 Posts
East Po
KGB
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| Mon May 24, 10 10:58 am |
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Also, varying current speeds in different parts of the river. If kite's in the fast current and you're in slower current then it'll drift upwind. Glad everyone made it out OK. Those barges are big.
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4Stringer/KipWinger
Since 27 Apr 2005
541 Posts
Hood River
Addicted
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| Mon May 24, 10 11:06 am Re: Rufus Kitemare: BE CAREFUL |
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[quote="Wind Slither"] | matt99eo wrote: | | Might need to call Hein in for the Physics analyticals...but how can the kite float towards the rider, if the rider is in the same current and the wind is blowing the kite the opposite direction? |
Come-on, this one's a no brainer...She musta' gotten her throw before the toss...she tried to release herself, but the only way to go was down.
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Gman
Since 11 Feb 2006
4911 Posts
Portland
Unstrapped
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| Mon May 24, 10 11:08 am |
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fly the kite directly over your head and hindenburg - that would be fun if a barge was coming (tho you might be able to catch it and self rescue)
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https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=eu2pBpQolKE |
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K4L
Since 19 Jan 2009
483 Posts
Obsessed
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| Mon May 24, 10 11:21 am Re: Rufus Kitemare: BE CAREFUL |
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[quote="4Stringer/KipWinger"] | Wind Slither wrote: | | matt99eo wrote: | | Might need to call Hein in for the Physics analyticals...but how can the kite float towards the rider, if the rider is in the same current and the wind is blowing the kite the opposite direction? |
Come-on, this one's a no brainer...She musta' gotten her throw before the toss...she tried to release herself, but the only way to go was down. |
 
Last edited by K4L on Mon May 24, 10 1:09 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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matt99eo
Since 12 Jun 2008
72 Posts
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| Mon May 24, 10 11:25 am |
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I vote different currents in different parts of the river.
Bottom line is that the current does not make things easier in bad situations.
I was downwind of the incident and it took a while to get upwind to them.
The kite ended up against the cliffs on WA side. It seems like the current is much stronger on that side of the river. |
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forrest
Since 21 Jun 2005
4329 Posts
Hood River
Hick
CGKA Member
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| Mon May 24, 10 6:14 pm |
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| Eddies on both sides of the main current. See it all the time. |
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scottnorby
Since 23 Sep 2005
550 Posts
Cascadia - Seattle - Encinitas
Addicted
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| Mon May 24, 10 6:23 pm |
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I am glad my wife and I kite in the ocean.
That sounds like a serious pain in the ass.
...
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cosmodog
Since 06 Oct 2005
204 Posts
Stoked
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| Mon May 24, 10 6:53 pm |
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| Quote: | | I am glad my wife and I kite in the ocean. |
Unfortunately, kite lines and waves can be trouble:
http://www.bayareakiteboarding.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=8432
We are getting conflicting reports about this accident (sure hope hes OK).
But it sounds like a good idea to check your hook knifes.
Someone recommended S.S. medical scissors (will have to look into them). |
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shred_da_gorge
Since 12 Nov 2008
1338 Posts
Da Hood & Da Wood
XTreme Poster
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| Mon May 24, 10 8:34 pm |
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| Forrest wrote: | | Eddies on both sides of the main current. See it all the time. |
Forrest wins the cookie. This time of year there are several strong eddies at Rufus, and there is a clockwise flow around the island to the west of the rocks. The current in the middle is very different from the currents on the edge, and the current at the top of the water is different from what's a few feet below the surface. |
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Wind Slither
Since 04 Mar 2005
2619 Posts
The 503
METAL
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| Tue May 25, 10 6:28 am |
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| shred_da_gorge wrote: | | Forrest wrote: | | Eddies on both sides of the main current. See it all the time. |
Forrest wins the cookie. This time of year there are several strong eddies at Rufus, and there is a clockwise flow around the island to the west of the rocks. The current in the middle is very different from the currents on the edge, and the current at the top of the water is different from what's a few feet below the surface. |
Hmm. I guess I know about back eddies...but the story made it sound like she was in the barge channel. Now if she was standing in shallow water (not floating in the current with the kite)...that would certainly explain it.
Currents can definately mess with you at the coast too. Many times I have washed into where I could almost stand up, only to have my mangled kite get caught in a rip and start dragging me back out. Not fun!  |
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Gman
Since 11 Feb 2006
4911 Posts
Portland
Unstrapped
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| Tue May 25, 10 6:31 am |
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| Wind Slither wrote: |
Currents can definately mess with you at the coast too. Many times I have washed into where I could almost stand up, only to have my mangled kite get caught in a rip and start dragging me back out. Not fun! |
Sketch!
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https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=eu2pBpQolKE |
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Hein
Since 08 Mar 2005
1314 Posts
Possessed
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| Tue May 25, 10 6:48 am |
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hourly current data:
http://www.nwd-wc.usace.army.mil/ftppub/project_data/hourly/jda_0daysback.txt
Normal summer flow is around 100 KCFS
200+ KCFS is a shit ton of fast moving water.
over 300 is a raging torrent not even worth riding in.
(unless you are a death wish weekend warrior)
It's good to think about magnitudes.
so how big is a 1000 cubic feet of water? |
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forrest
Since 21 Jun 2005
4329 Posts
Hood River
Hick
CGKA Member
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| Tue May 25, 10 7:47 am |
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| Ten foot cube. So, 200 ten foot cubes of water per second? How do we get a flow rider built near that thing!? |
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