Rufus Kitemare: BE CAREFUL

melokitegirl · Since 28 Oct 2008 396 Posts Where the wind blows Obsessed

Who cares about the analytical thesis on water flow. Jeez. Rufus is knarly this time of year & anyone who has kited there knows that. That gal was so freakin lucky someone helped her & she didn't become fish bait. The dude who helped her is a HERO in my book.

The harness release part of the kitemare gives me pause....Also makes me think of the knife discussion we had a awhile ago. Wondering if she could have cut away the line that was tangled up in her harness.

Rufus kite school...I like the idea of a jetski assist in Rufus. Glad you are there for paid kite support. I just may have to take you up on that. Just wondering were you there when this went down? I've been at the sandbar when people come up begging for a jetski ride to find a board or help someone out in trouble. There are a few schools that refuse (I've witnessed this) because of liability or they have to have the jetski available for student rescue per Port regulations. Which from my understanding is a breach in Maritime rules. It is your duty to help someone in trouble.

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1860 Posts XTreme Poster

The jetski rescue thing is a tough one. If someone is in real danger, like the kiter at Rufus, then there should be no question. Having owned a ski for two years, however, there were many days that I "rescued" multiple people who didn't need a rescue. Rather, they needed to self-rescue. They were in no real danger. I owned my ski to teach my kids and their friends, then have it available if they needed it, as they were young. Often times I ended up looking for kiter's boards, or towing in kiters who had no idea how to help themselves. Most people offered money, which was nice, but what I wanted was to be available for my kids if they needed me; not $20.

Schools are in a similar situation, only greatly magnified. Once the Pandora's box of aide gets opened it's kind of open session on asking them for assistance--for whatever. Their skis are for lessons and the aide of clients.

My $0.02

Eric

MarkWorth · Since 02 May 2011 149 Posts Hood River Stoked

I was Teaching windsurfing in 1994 at Rufus and I had a student down in the water with extreme current and strong wind. A barge was approaching from the west and a second barge was coming east from the locks at John Day dam. The barge coming up stream needed to give the other barge space to pass and we were in his way. My student was confused by the current and repeatedly turned down wind without sheeting out. After 100 yards and he would go over the bow. Each time he would waterstart and move toward the Oregon shore the barge pilot would change heading and aim for the spot we had just vacated. After five 100 yard rides/crash and corresponding heading changes by the barge we were near the shore and the barge passed 40 feet away. The barge pilot needed space for the other barge and was adjusting coarse to keep everyone safe. Piloting a barge at Rufus at in strong current is a serious business.
In my opinion the dangerous part of yesterday’s events was letting go of the kite’s leading edge. You will generally have lines near your harness once you are holding the kite. Once you have reached your kite during a self rescue, hang on and sail the kite to shore. If you decide to release the kite, you MUST account for all lines and bridles before letting go of the kite.

Hein · Since 08 Mar 2005 1314 Posts Possessed

blowhard · Since 26 Dec 2005 2027 Posts Windward

I can't imagine swimming into my lines ,no gear would be worth that !
(until you've seen someone tied in lines,not known it because thier arms are also tied and can't signal) First thing I do when kite won't relaunch is go to leash and swim away from lines
as fast as possible
wait for a wave to grab kite and then decide weather to hang on or release

Ya gotta wonder why there isn't much pre sess rescue discussion.

If I'm kiting with someone who is capable of rescue I discuss it with them.Keep a close watch and recognize thier malfunction and help before it escalates.
Most don't want to let go of thier kite ,but I will not approach until the kite and lines are a safe distance away,then zoom in and drag them in ,regroup and go for kite

The amount of current flow would be the primary cause of this incident
heading south
I don't think the jetski dude was around last year when this was posted

Blokt · Mon May 30, 11 12:26 pm

If only a guy with a foil could have been there. That always seems to be the best bet when it comes to risky rescues.

I may be going out on a log here, but I think Monkeyboy would agree Wink

kitezilla · Since 22 Jun 2006 453 Posts gorge Obsessed

pdxmonkeyboy · Tue May 31, 11 8:14 am

Good info. Getting tangled in your lines is not joke.

Beginners should probably not being using lines until they are more confident in these conditions.

Blokt · Tue May 31, 11 8:46 am

blowhard · Since 26 Dec 2005 2027 Posts Windward

Beginners should probably not being using lines until they are more confident in these conditions.[/quote]

indeed!

melokitegirl · Since 28 Oct 2008 396 Posts Where the wind blows Obsessed

Crickets..........

1surfer · Tue May 31, 11 6:32 pm **Scary**

The line knife that comes with some harnesses is not good. These work and I think every kiter should Have one. It will cut through 5 kite lines at once, like butter.

http://www.benchmade.com/products/5

GLAD THIS KITEMARE WORKED OUT FOR THE BETTER !!!!!