CGKA - How to get kiteboarding access cancelled

forrest · Mon Jun 13, 11 1:04 pm **Re: the man**

The Native American's were here before everyone was born. Should they get to do whatever they want at the expense of the rest of us?

carlmeinberg · Since 14 Jun 2011 3 Posts Kook

Ok , I Get It , safety first for others and ya its ok if you think im a kook since I came up with that term. Here are a few of my thoughts. Well it sounds kinda like 1996 when Chris A. the original KOOK and I bought the first two kites in the gorge from lou and elliot, you all thought we were fools except for jim and jerry . what are you thinking now , I have been a pioneer in this industry since 1979 when I bought my first windsurfer standard and shortly after cut out three feet from the middle lamin it back together making the first short board on the west coast . I know I was the first person to sail the hood river marina with a never before made 3.4 sail. I know that when I introduced the idea of windsurfers coming to the gorge area to city council in 1985 , There reply was are they like skateboarders, well what are We ? I know I did not become a snow and ice sailing world champion and land big name corporate sponsors by sitting on my ass and listening to people who said I couldn't do it. That is not me , I do in this life what comes to me from knowing that there are those who follow the path and those who make the path for others. We all follow from example, now I hear a bunch whining , knock that shit off and live and let live. just because you don't understand something does not mean its wrong. Few believed in the automobile or that planes would fly or kiting would become popular. did you know that in ww1 they had guys up 1800 feet with kites to spy, that is still the record and I think We may top that. Did you know that kite flying was outlawed the in the 1600 because the japanese government thought everyone would stop going to work because kite flying was becoming to popular. so are we going to do the same , shut down the fun , no way ..... Im sorry if anyone thought I was in there way, I have only flown fix line here in the marina areas several times and always late in the day when things are slowing down and always aware of those kiting below and around me. I will make every effort to stay well down wind on the sand bar . If you eliminate drift you get lift, figure that. I am flying with three hundred feet of line here due to limited space but I prefer to fly with 600 feet , in open areas allowing me to travel almost a quarter of a mile in the air and easily 300 feet high before bringing the kite into the other window , I try to keep my elevation below 150 feet to avoid serious injury to my self should I have failure of some equipment. If I was a kook and this thing did not work I would put it away, but fix line rips and is part of the future of kiting, so get used to it. There is only so much space on the water but the sky is huge and sooo smooth. I dont care what you sail, just get out there and hit that shit . Thanks for your time and sail on my friends. Carl

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1860 Posts XTreme Poster

Deep breaths everyone

It occured to me that if we modify the language against "fixed line" by replacing "fixed line" with "kiteboarding" and "kiters" with "windsurfers," the arguments against what Carl is doing read exactly like the arguments windsurfers had against years ago, and to a much lesser extent now.

Just something to ponder...

bwd · Since 04 Aug 2007 385 Posts Obsessed

if that really is the guy he comes across as a choad/troll.
sorry, never met you and you make a bad first impression.
I and many others had the same inspiration from the earliest kiters including the individuals you named.
We don't all have delusions of grandeur though.
So grow up and don't crap in the sandbox for your gorge brethren.

By the way I invented the word kook, not you LOL
give it a rest.....

surfboy1968 · Since 17 Jun 2008 222 Posts south padre island Stoked

Jonpnw · Tue Jun 14, 11 6:36 am **Let's see it**

As Inept said

[He should tie off to the bridge, this way his line would already be an extra 40+ feet in the air allowing for ultimate dangleage.]

forrest · Tue Jun 14, 11 6:55 am

Carl, it's pretty badass and looks like a lot of fun but, you can't be that surprised by this reaction though?

kenja · Since 19 Jun 2008 179 Posts Stoked

It looks like fun and I would like to try it some day. That said, the way you are doing it looks like a real safety menace. You have 300ft of barely visible line stretched like a clothesline across one of the few kite launches in the gorge. If someone doesn't notice the line, you'll have a multi-person kitemare on your hands. I don't see how you watching for other kiters would help with that. What could you actually do to prevent it while dangling 300ft down wind?

There have got to be some good places to do that. I can think of a few.

Pepi · Tue Jun 14, 11 9:23 am

Hi Carl :

Thank you for taking the time to post on NW Kite and for listening/understanding the concerns that we have for our kiting access along the Port of Hood River waterfront.

As a pioneer, you know that it took a lot of hard work from a lot of volunteers to make the waterfront access happen, whether it be windsurf, paddle, kite or just swimming.

No one is hating on what you are doing at all (although this is a public forum, so comments of all types occur).
The only, and absolute only, request we have is that you pursue your 'fixed line' activities in another area away from where others could get hurt and in an area that you will not cause negative issues for kiteboarding access.

Unfortunately this is in fact due to your 'fixed line' activities being new and not understood. Until is is a proven safe sport and does not further restrict access that is already incredibly limited for kiteboarders, we just ask that you please find a spot away from where we have pre-existing kiteboard guidelines and agreements with the landowners and/or property managers.

I mean no ill intent towards you or what you do. I am just a person that is very aware of how finely balanced our access is along many of our waterfront kite launches. I am also one of many other volunteers that spend a great deal of volunteer time year-round working with these landowners and agencies to help protect and maintain the access that others before me pioneered.

Thank you for your understanding and consideration.
Pepi
2nd Wind Sports

mcsailor0303 · Since 18 Mar 2009 184 Posts The Dalles Stoked

...I may or may not have sold that dude that kite...

He is a really cool dude!

The kite accident in the keys a few years back when that dude dropped some crazy height comes to mind.

carlmeinberg · Since 14 Jun 2011 3 Posts Kook

Sorry , I didn't think this a dating site, where I had impress someone....for more recent video see u tube and type in carl meinberg

carlmeinberg · Since 14 Jun 2011 3 Posts Kook

One love Brother

redbird · Since 02 Jul 2008 25 Posts

Why the need for fixed line??? You can dangle that high with just a kite. If you want to go boost for days on end, go paragliding! (too bad it's already been invented)

Redbird

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

pdxmonkeyboy · Tue Jun 14, 11 11:47 am

I was thinking that I would pioneer the U.S. version of bull jumping in the marina parking lot. I'm sure everyone thinks I'm crazy but I am cutting edge. BTW, I invented the internet.

Link

DangleMaster123 · Since 01 Aug 2010 38 Posts

leave carl alone!!!

Scriffler · Since 03 Jul 2005 581 Posts LYLE Addicted

Yeah, have respect for someone who has ripped forever. You are all the kooks, and you prove it by your words.