How's the bar?

ghswrestlerteel · Since 11 Sep 2010 14 Posts

I haven't really gotten out at all this year yet which is a bummer but I'm staying hopeful that it'll work out soon.

Anyway, my question is about the sandbar in HR. How's it looking? Has the water dropped much? I haven't been out there for over a month so I've really got no idea what it's like now.

If it's still too high to use (at least easily) how is the situation at the event site?

Hopefully I'll get out there some time during the week. Just gotta hope the wind and being able to get someone to head out with line up right.

hilton · Since 15 Aug 2008 801 Posts Opinionated

The sand bar was huge today (no wind), and has been exposed large enough to lay out your lines and launch for almost two weeks now. It is easily accessible from either the Spit or the Event Site. A lot of people are still launching off the grass at the Event Site, but it has been less crowded with better wind out on the sand bar recently.

http://www.fullsailbrewing.com/webcam.cfm

ghswrestlerteel · Since 11 Sep 2010 14 Posts

That's great news, exactly what I wanted to hear. Thanks for the link to the cam too, I totally forgot about them.

Bettyboarder · Sun Jul 24, 11 10:39 am

The CGKA webpage has quite a few webcam's listed on it too if you ever need

http://cgka.wordpress.com/

D-Krep It Kiter · Since 18 Jul 2011 417 Posts Obsessed

Sandbar was noticeably bigger today than just a few days ago. Lots of room to stretch out your lines, and plenty of shallow water off the western edge.

hilton · Since 15 Aug 2008 801 Posts Opinionated

The grass at the Event Site was crowded with sunbathing tourists and spectators on Sunday. Lawn chairs and beach umbrellas set up in the middle of the kite launching and landing areas effectively pushed people out to the sandbar to launch.
The kiters did a good job of adapting to the crowds to keep everyone safe, but it did demonstrate that even for "pump and dry" there are more kiters than last year and more grass space is needed for the kites.

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1861 Posts XTreme Poster

Yes, we will need more inflation room at the grass assuming we wade out, or not. I think we can come up with a very reasonable space that allows for windsurfers to rig, store and walk into the water with their gear. Perhaps an "L" shape with the base of the L at the East, as now, and the stem of the L going West towards the bathrooms and limited to the flat portion--South-- of the grass, with windsurfing boards and sails stored on the sloped portion.

Something like that, anyway.

I have had some nice, informal discussions with two longtime, hardcore Event Site windsurfing folks. I am really encouraged by what I hear them saying. Mainly, I think we tend, like all things, to hear about the extremes, be they from the sailing or kiting perspective. These guys made it clear to me that when the sand bar is flooded they fully support getting kiters out on the water, are willing to accommodate and recognize our plight, as well as our growing numbers.

I, in turn, have a much better understanding of what the windsurfers contend with as the sand gets exposed. While I windsurfed for 20 + years, I never really used the Event Site much. Mainly, the shallow tongue moves further west which pinches everyone on the west half of the Event Site into tighter, and tighter quarters. To complicate matters, as windsurfers get closer to the western jetty their sails are in a wind shadow created by the jetty. They drift out and downwind to water start, which puts them in the launch zone. They don't want to be there anymore than we want them to be there.

If all of this were up to me--which it isn't--I would propose the following:

1. Event Site open to kiters from Sept 6 (day after Labor Day) through June 30.

2. Increase the pump and dry area during all times and allow lines to be attached, with the expectation that they get IMMEDIATELY rolled up on the bar.

3. Between July 1 and Sept 5 kiters are to launch/land from the sand.

4. Kiters and windsurfers are discouraged from high speed travel, jibes, jumps etc close to the event site--get out of the "look at me zone." Both user groups have a small number of riders who abuse this. The maddest I have been in the last 15 years was when a windsurfer used my then 8 year old's head as a jibe buoy, as my son was practicing his windsurfing water starts. The sailor's comment to me was, "He shouldn't be learning here."

5. In the event of another high water episode, an "Emergency Launch" contingency goes into effect, which incorporates extending the Event Site season, and/or expanding/reopening the Marina launch, which is a pretty nice launch. Moreover, I think the improvements and excitement brought about by The Slider Project folks will make that area super appealing to the growing number of Wakestyle kiters.

I DO NOT represent the CGKA, or CGWA, though I am a member of CGKA, and a past member of CGWA.

Best,
Eric Cohn

Scriffler · Since 03 Jul 2005 581 Posts LYLE Addicted

Dude, you should be on the board. If those were the official rules and everyone knew them, it would be a way more organized launch. Especially on super crowded summer days.