Windfags

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

Tugboat operator: where you going
- hood river
Are you one of those windfags
- you mean windsurfers
Yeah
- hell no

did finally admit to kiteboarding - we tied up to the tug while taking my boat through the lock - speaking to the tug captain - windfags (windsurfers and kiteboarders rank 3rd from the bottom on the food chain)

1. Portland suicide shitheads (being first on the scene means they have to stop pushing the giant barges, attempt a rescue and wait for the authorities to collect the carcuss)
2. Pleasure boating dipshits (how do you miss a billion ton barge and tug coming your way - he says when they make the last minute jump out of their boats they always die - he really cant see what happens on impact at the front of the barge since his pilot house is in the back
3. Windfags (kiters and windsurfers) - he will send out a skiff to recover a body or help someone in distress

Random notes from my boat trip from ptown to hood river saturday - 25 to 30kts west wind stevie to hood river..
- first windsurfer we see is great grandpa with santa claus beard - we give him the thumbs up and point to the wake - hit it gramps! - he flips us off and wipes out on the wake

- was surprised as i ran down river how close the windsurfers and one kiter wanted to play - maybe they assumed powerboats should give way to sailboats - not sure but when a 16 ton vessel is heading my way on a straight course down the middle of the channel at 20kts with a 6 foot following sea and 30 kt wind may be good time to tack out of the way - the kiter i assumed wanted to boost off the wake (wrong) just wanted to get runned over

when you make quick adjustments - you lose control in the short interval swell - bigger boats are not going to swerve - best not to stress people out and stay way the fuck out of the way of barges and like (at least throw a glance upwind now and again to see what is thats going to plow you over)

Chooch · Mon Aug 23, 10 4:49 pm

Did you ask him if he is a shithead tug operator...you know the kind that get drunk and plow into a sandbar Drunk

Glad you made it to the Hood...next time you need to step it up and make that run in pitch black with no lights and navigation Razz

Kraemer · Since 24 Apr 2006 1736 Posts Sky Pilot Unicorn Captain

Chooch · Mon Aug 23, 10 5:36 pm

TWIN-FIN · Since 24 May 2006 805 Posts Portland, OR Hot Monkey

Yesterday I was riding at Swell Topia and came within 200 yards of a Barge. I didn't even see him Shocked

HOLLY SHIT BALLS it a good thing I didn't fall in the water from the wind shaddow.
I usually watch for Barges and point it out to any one near me. I was just so focused on KILLIN IT that I didn't even see the Barge coming. I never even heard his horn blow.

So bummed I missed another Epic Kreamer event Crying or Very sad

Nak · Mon Aug 23, 10 6:59 pm

Looking at his list though, that's about everybody. Looks like we rank top of the food chain! Woo hoo! Very Happy

pdxmonkeyboy · Mon Aug 23, 10 7:13 pm

Gorgegezzer · Since 14 Jan 2007 67 Posts

Years ago, windsurfing, seems most of them blew their horns. Now it seems none do. Do they just not care anymore? Too much effort to raise their arm and pull the horn cord? Sometimes you just get into sailing so much, you forget to do a barge check.

windmtnpete · Since 13 Sep 2009 46 Posts Home Valley

Windsurfers have an excuse..... we gots da blind spot. Heck, why is there no surveillance camera available for that popular hang out?

Reaper356 · Since 10 Dec 2006 781 Posts Salem / LC Oregon Opinionated

Jetskiers are the ones I usually don't see - at least they're agile. There were two at Rooster the other day, I knew they were together. It was busy so I was actively keeping an eye on everything in my area. Tacking out, I spotted the lead ski, but no buddy, so I tacked out and crossed the lead wake... little air. Land turn around and the buddy is right there 20 ft back! Where the hell did he come from!? Again at least they're agile & seem to try & avoid us! Smile

lawnmower · Since 14 Dec 2007 153 Posts Stoked

Was WSing at Rowena on Sunday and sailed 200yd upwind of a monster barge piled 40ft high with logs. Never saw it until I gybed Shocked

. Almost one less windfag.

gorgebob · Since 25 Jun 2007 259 Posts Portland, OR Shop Owner

Good windsurf song back in the day by the Ultrons. I am sure some one can down load Wind fag , Jeff Smith , Ultrons. Funny but so true.

forrest · Fri Aug 27, 10 9:53 am

I think it's time for some Windfag t-shirts.

forrest · Fri Aug 27, 10 10:17 am

No? Could be a picture of a kiter getting run over by a barge?

genek · Since 21 Jul 2006 2165 Posts East Po KGB

Haha, nice one Forrest. I think we need that and a Hick shirt while we're at it that just has your avatar photo on it. Or maybe combine it into the wind-fag shirt Laughing

pdxmonkeyboy · Fri Aug 27, 10 12:00 pm