Fort Steven's Beach Assault Kite Camp!!

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1691 Posts I give out bad advice.

It's looking like this weekend, July 23, 24th and 25th, the god of wind is going to blow the coast!! Presently Friday is looking like the best day!! However, when the weather set's up like this Manzanita and or Fort Steven's usually are the place to be.

It's gonna be hot as h e double hockey sticks, so why not leave Pdx. and seek out some warm sunny days on the coast and make some new kiting friends?

I'll be sharing some stories and knowledge of the things I've leaned while kiting the Oregon Coast over the past 4 years. If enough people are interested I can invite some local kite boarders to provide their inside information on the do's and the don'ts that you need to know about kiting at the coast. You have questions and there will be answers.

I'm gonna bring my demo surfborads, Stand up paddle boards and my dog Scout. If you wanna try SUP'n, surfing, or kiting on the coast and have been reluctant due to not having friends to hang out with, then this is your chance!! Come get some!!!!

I'm thinking that the best place to hook up is the KOA located near Fort Steven's. We could meet Friday evening and Saturday late morning to get together and plan the day. I'll have some fun ice breaker activities and then we will get to it.

If you wanna do this give me a message at 541-980-6378, or email me at repooc99@yahoo.com.

I'll make reservations at KOA if there is enough interest. I'll also invite some more certified instructors if folks want to learn how to kite. This is a great opportunity if you've been thinking about learning to kite or just want to get some help with going postal on da coastal. All levels are welcome!!

Thanks
Ron

Very Happy

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1691 Posts I give out bad advice.

So, I'm gonna be at Fort Stevens KOA, http://www.koa.com/where/or/37182/localarea/, at 8pm. I'm gonna bring some information on wave sailing as well as some recommended gear for people to look at and learn about.
I'll have strapped and unstrapped surfboard set ups. I'll have several different types of surfboards and various fin configurations for you to touch and talk about. I'll bring my SUP's just in case the wind bombs, but I doubt it.

This camp will be a time to learn from each other and share war stories about our most heinous kitemares. We will be talking about self rescue and basic knowledge of what to do when the shizzle hits da nizzle.

If there are any topics that you would like to cover go ahead and post them here and we will cover them.

If there are instructors out there that would like to attend and or contribute, then join us.

There is the opportunity to demo some gear, but that is not the focus of this camp.

Thanks,
Ron
Rig-it, Ride-it, Love-it

I'll have

Very Happy

mikeinhoodriver · Since 23 Apr 2009 439 Posts down wind somewhere Obsessed

Sounds like fun Ron! Wish I had the opportunity to go.

Cool

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1691 Posts I give out bad advice.

Hey Mike,
I'll be out there til Sunday PM. If you wanna come out and join up go for it. So far it looks like a few people will be there with some kids. I've got another instructor coming as well, so it will be a chance to get some good information about kiting at Stevens, aka Clatsop, and Manzo.
I'm gonna put some lit. packets of information together for everyone who want's a copy.
Topics covered will be:
Safety tips
Self Rescues
Assisted Rescues
Gear checks
Boards
Wind conditions
Tides
etc...

It'll be cool to get input from experienced and coastal newbies alike!

Very Happy

mikeinhoodriver · Since 23 Apr 2009 439 Posts down wind somewhere Obsessed

...if you end up with an extra lit packet, let me know. Would like to have that info when my skills improve. (booked all weekend) Sad

kochease · Since 03 Jul 2008 760 Posts In Ft. Stevens, OR Opinionated

HEy Ron sounds like FUN!! Very Happy

Count me in for Saturday...I would join you friday too but I'm hitting the Brewfest in PDX that night, hopefully I won't be too hung over come Sat Laughing

Campbell · Since 07 Sep 2008 409 Posts Camas, WA Obsessed

What time are you guys gonna be there on Friday? High tide's around 1:00pm for Parking lot D, but will the wind cooperate?

pauls · Since 20 Jun 2005 564 Posts Northern Portugal Addicted

Ron - emailed you. I'll be there.

coryseiber · Since 10 Jun 2010 17 Posts Astoria

id love to hang out. but i gotta work friday and saturday night. i will more than likely be out there saturday morning/afternoon since i dont work till 3. and i would def like to have some lit to cover. and some instruction with my new blaze. ill shoot a text your way in the morning if i remember, its somewhat late right now.

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1691 Posts I give out bad advice.

It's looking like Friday is way too ambitious as most you that have pm'd me are going to arrive on Saturday morning.

I would like to suggest that we connect at the Warrenton KOA(link is above) at 10AM. I'll will be camping there and we can meet and have some coffee and I think they serve pancakes, eggs, biscuits, gravy and hash browns as well til 11AM, if I'm not mistaken.

I'm a special ed. teacher, so I'm gonna have an ice breaker activity, and we will play the name game as well. If you have kids they will enjoy these activities.

Following that the agenda will be created by all of us as a group. I have a small dry erase board and some markers for you all to write your questions down.

Then we will have some experienced certified instructors answer questions, tell some tales and then we'll see what the group would like to do next.

This will be a fun, pressure free, camp and if it's successful we can do it again at other locations.

It would be very helpful if you contact me and let me know that you are interested in copies of the articles I've gathered on various kite boarding and surfing related topics.

Domo Arigotou,
Ron Very Happy

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1691 Posts I give out bad advice.

I'll be driving a big F-150 Silver/Grey Van with a riser top and dark tinted windows. I'll have a red shirt flying from my mirror as well as a dry erase board with "Fort Steven Kite Camp" on it.

If you have trouble finding me just call my cell at 541-980-6378.

I'm really looking forward to meeting new people an making new kite buddies!!

Cheers,
Ron Very Happy

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1691 Posts I give out bad advice.

Friday is not going to work as most people are busy. So, let's shoot for a meet up at the KOA, http://www.koa.com/where/or/37182/

Saturday!!!! is the day!!!

Meet and greet at 10am to11am KOA Campground

11am to noonerish we will talk about kiting on the coast and anything else that pops up.

12 to 2 is usually when the wind kicks up, but it's fickle.

When the wind kicks up I'm going kiting. Remember that it is your discretion as to whether you kite in the ocean or not. This is not a lesson, but a camp to meet and greet new people and share information.

**If you feel like you need a lesson this can be arranged, but this will be up to you make the decision to go into the water and kite. There will be trained instructors there who can assess your ability, but there is a cost to this. I'm not making any money from this event at all.

*****If you want to schedule a lesson contact:

[/url]http://www.air-pirates.com/lessonguide/html[url][/url]

OK, that being said let's get together and have some fun!!!

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1691 Posts I give out bad advice.

KOA is full, but we can still meet in the front parking lot from 10am to 11amish.

Once we gather up we will find a good spot, either at KOA, or a restaurant we can use as a meet and greet venue then get er started.
(In the future I can make prior reservations, but I'm not certain who is actually gonna show up Surprised

))

**There are other places to camp or cheap hotels:
Crest Hotel is nice, Fort Steven's in great, and many other places withing driving distance.

***I think meeting from around 11 should give the 6 people who are coming some time to get to the KOA. If you don't know where it is just google it or call me or email me and I'll give you a map.

*****Notice: This is not a lesson!!! However, you can arrange a lesson with an instructor if you want. I'm gonna be riding!!

More than likely it's going to be really nice and sunny by noon or sooner!! Surprised

)
This makes me a very happy boy.

mystery curd · Since 14 Jun 2010 98 Posts Floating

Hey,
Thanks for going to all the effort of sharing your wisdom of coastal kiting, and organizing a meet and greet situation for everyone. I am stoked to meet other kiters, especially from Portland area to kite the coast with.
I'll be driving out from SE Portland on Saturday, departure time around 11:30 to meet up with everyone hopefully around 1:00pm and will be looking for a place to camp that night.
The last two times I went to Fort Stevens,both KOA and the state park campground were FULL and I ended up "camping" at a small roadside campground in Gearhart- which seems to always have at least one spot left in the late evening. KOA wanted more than 50bucks a night to camp! No thanks.
I've got a big van that I sleep in so, if anyone wants to share a campground there'd be plenty of room for your tent!
If anyone needs a ride maybe we can work something out, let me know, just share gas or something. And I'm down for helping shuttle for downwinders.
See you all Saturday!
Later, Anthony.
I will be calling Bulae99 on Saturday around 12:30 or so to find out where everyone is meeting to kite.

skaterdad · Since 16 Jun 2008 54 Posts Portland

would love to join, but I have my 3 year old and simply cant....would be cool to plan something like this in advance and have a few side by side camp spots at Stevens or Nehalem...kite/camp/kite....even a mid week to ensure spots. they are hard to get. would love to be on that crew...I am willing to book the spots if we can get it together. one night would be a good time and easy for all...I have an RV and a lot of gear I can show with.

cheers. Chris

JayDelViento · Since 20 Jun 2010 36 Posts White Salmon

2 of us will see you in the parking lot at KOA 10-ish. Looking forward to meeting everyone. Thanks for offering to share your experience! -Jay

Dern · Since 11 Jul 2010 545 Posts Vancouver, WA Addicted

What would you describe as a minimum skill level for kiting in the ocean/where this event is at? (EG lessons taken? (able to body drag a given) able to water launch? able to edge upwind?)