Wave Etiquette / Launch safety.

foghater · Since 31 Aug 2008 135 Posts Stoked

Looks like this weekend the coast is gonna go and the gorge not so much. This is typically when we see the most PDX/HR based riders come out west.

Combined with the first nice weekend in a while there will be alot of people in general on the beach I was hoping to remind us all to remember a few things.

1- PLease use common sense when launching on the beach. The nice family just downwind of you has no clue as to the power and danger of your kite. ( I prefer to launch closer to the water when theres alot of people around.)

BTW- there has been some grumblings from the "townfolk" about kites in Manzanita. All it takes is one bad incident and theyll shut it down.

2- When on the water the kiter on the wave has the right of way.
In other words if you are heading out and you see someone coming in going down the line ease up and let him go.

I say this all with a welcome.

forrest · Thu Jun 02, 11 12:45 pm

Word, thanks for posting this.

chrissmack · Since 08 Jun 2005 526 Posts portland Addicted

Algo Sucedio · Since 31 Jul 2010 8 Posts Kook

And, remember the sand holding your kite down will sandblast anyone, (kiter or not) downwind, when you pick up a kite off the beach.

pdxmonkeyboy · Thu Jun 02, 11 2:18 pm

COASTAL THUNDER DOME!!!

ldhr · Since 21 Jul 2009 1489 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

speaking of Manzanita.....
does the upwind shuttle still leave the state park every 2 hours?
and is the fare the same as last year.... 6 pack of cold frostys?

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

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

F-en Tourist!

specialk · Guest

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

So are we talking about Nehalem bay state park as the pickup? Where would you pull out? (Insert that's what she said comment) I will have a vehicle available to do a shuttle back as well if anyone's interested.

Colin

ldhr · Since 21 Jul 2009 1489 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

that was a tongue-in-cheek joke......
some of the locals stash a pickup in the park and do downwinders. I was lucky to be invited to join them last summer.....
IMO - that's the best way to kite manzo....

Sasquatch · Since 09 Mar 2005 2102 Posts PNW Bigfoot

Link

This is what Gman is going to say after his first, second, and third downwinder on Sat. "Pitted, so Pitted"

barfly · Since 31 Mar 2005 1214 Posts Portland BRACKISH

skent · Mon Jun 08, 15 7:20 am

I'm not a total newbie to the coast but I am also not a regular. When I was kiting at Ft. Stevens/Lot B Sunday. One of the more seasoned coastal rippers was "setting up" to ride a wave and I was on my way out (or in I can't remember) but he gave me a nice hand gesture (not the middle finger) indicating he was going to ride down the line. I was going to steer clear of him anyways and give him the wave but I did appreciate the "gesture" to confirm that he was going to ride it "down the line".

Talbot1 · Since 22 Apr 2011 27 Posts USA

If you are looking to park or camp on Ocean Rd in Manzo please be respectful.

Last summer a few ruined overnight parking for everyone. The police were coming through about 10:30 and checking. Kicking out any campers. I am not sure if the ban is in affect this summer or being enforced.

If you are planning on trying to camp:

1. Do not park in front of the Hotel or peoples houses.
Nothing will end overnight parking faster than oversized vehicles making camp for three nights. The sand dunes don't complain.

2. Clean up after yourselves!
You might think its pretty sweet to drink 14 beers. But why do you have to leave all 14 beer bottles tossed around your rig? Clean up your garbage.

3. Keep your music and parting to respectful hours.
Last summer, a few parked by the hotel decided that a late night sampling of 2 Live Crew was wanted by everyone. Strangely, a few did not enjoy it.

4. Please Be courteous.
All the locals know that the majority of the campers are kiters. Please keep us in the good graces of the locals.

Hopefully, the mistakes of a few last summer wont spoil it for the majority.

Thanks and good winds!

thenorm · Since 08 Mar 2011 34 Posts Beaverton

Felt a bit compelled to chime on this as the behavior by kiters on the beach in Manzanita has been deteriorating over the past few years. All of what Talbot1 says is sadly true.

In addition from a kiting standpoint, be aware of what you are doing and your surroundings.

Kites crashed in the dunes and tumbling down the beach (probably the worst thing to have happen), uncontrolled hot launches, an inability to self-land (get a freakin lanyard and tie it to log!), pissing in the bushes and of course the beer cans and misplaced overnight parking. Are all things that can cause Manzanita as it is now to be over!

Grumblings from the ‘townfolk’ about kites is an understatement. I spoke with some homeowners this weekend that are skeptical if not annoyed with the kiters… Land and water. They said they rarely go to the beach because of the perceived chaos and potential for an incident. These are the type of people in the community that control the future of kiting there. It’s our responsibility to make sure kiting is “really cool looking” and “fun to watch” not an eminent threat to someone’s picnic and sandcastle.

Please keep in mind this summer to be respectful and aware while enjoying the beach and favorable wind. Launch your kite safely, get into the water, get away from the onlookers and go have fun.

Have and excellent summer!

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