Windsurf ettiquete.

melokitegirl · Since 28 Oct 2008 396 Posts Where the wind blows Obsessed

I have a question about the "windsurf zone" out on the river. I went out the other day and boogied up wind, played around a bit in the channel East of the WS bridge. As I was tacking back to the sand bar, I was on the edge of the windsurf zone. Since I am not the best kiter & am still learning the subtle stuff , I decide to tack with them like a school of fish remaining on the edge until I dropped East then went in. During that time I was unfortunately sandwiched betweeen two WS gals who caught up with me. They were not happy about it. I just stopped & put my kite up so thay could pass by me without interference. Was that the right thing to do? What is the best way to get back to the sandbar without interupting the WS flow?

I have my kook moments...

forrest · Mon Jul 25, 11 9:02 am

You did nothing wrong. There is no "windsurf zone". Navigation and sailing rules apply.

http://www.gosailing.info/Navigation%20Rules.htm

Sella · Mon Jul 25, 11 9:15 am

Mel you did the right thing.....just stop, put your kite high and let it clear out when in doubt. There is no windsurfing zone but I know what your mean about where they kind of congregate in that part of the river as they jibe back towards the event site etc.

Navigation rules apply as Forrest pointed out but don't expect a lot of people to obey or understand them so give room and a smile.

Blazeheliski · Since 30 Mar 2011 659 Posts Mosier Addicted

melokitegirl · Since 28 Oct 2008 396 Posts Where the wind blows Obsessed

The gal gave me a dirty look & bared her teeth & growled (Grrrr). Not kidding.

But, I could see she was having a tough time going upwind & I was coming in on the west of her. I remember what it is like to learn how to go upwind & the challenges of people coming in. I thought I was being nice, but she didn't think so. Maybe she just didn't understand what I was doing by having my kite up & hanging in the water waiting for her to pass.

The reason i wrote this is to understand better as to what to do. Right of way I get but sometimes its better to be gracious to facilitate better attutudes towards each other. You know, like when your in traffic, you let someone in. I was just making sure by this post that I didn't pull a bad move. That's all. Maybe others have had a similar experience.

Just for the record, if I was a more aggressive & better skilled kiter - I would have tried to beat it around her downwind. I thought about it, but I was in the "hole" and didn't want to mess up.

Thanks for the responses.

Sasquatch · Since 09 Mar 2005 2102 Posts PNW Bigfoot

genek · Since 21 Jul 2006 2165 Posts East Po KGB

Yeah, what you did was fine. One thing I've noticed is they prefer if you're downwind of them so that your kite isn't flying over their heads. If you're coming close to a windsurfer and it makes sense you can consider going downwind of them if you want to be extra nice.

Personally, I usually just shoot downwind through any crowded parts of the river. That way I'm not stuck between a bunch of people for too long. Just make sure you have a clear path.

forrest · Mon Jul 25, 11 12:13 pm

A few years back when the "no kites near the hatch" attitude was in full swing I had a dude fire his windsurfer across my bow, so to speak. At first it seemed like an accident but when I went over to see if he was okay he yelled some incoherent shit. Pretty sure it's safe to assume it wasn't an accident and if that thing hit me I would of likely been killed.

I trust my skills more. Like dealing with a drunk driver, I stay behind (upwind of) them so they don't fixate on my tail lights (Most useful thing learned in defensive driving). Mountain biking and trying to avoid a tree is another good analogy, if you look at the tree, you're going to eat the tree.

BTW, The idea that a kite is over your head doesn't mean you're in imminent danger either. Not everyone goes around pissed off that a plane might land on their head, unless you're a tinfoil hat wearing kook.

dangler · Since 26 Feb 2006 1776 Posts WINDY SPOTS XTreme Poster

Hey!!!

chrissmack · Since 08 Jun 2005 526 Posts portland Addicted

wow, grumpy windsurfers in the gorge? is there some secret spot where all the friendly windsurfers go to have fun?

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

Rooster Rock. Without their gear

PinkyBoarder · Since 04 May 2011 45 Posts Seattle, WA

I was wondering about the whole "kite overhead of a windsurfer thing." Im in a of traffic with a lot of windsurfers at Rowena and sometimes when my kite is overhead, the other person will jump off their rig and glare at me, like I forced them to bail, but there is so much room! I don't think I'm coming close to them at all. I try to stay far downwind of all the sails, but many come pretty far downwind too, so I'm forced to mingle unless I want to do a downwinder. I was wondering if I should be parking my kite at 12, but seriously, there is plenty of room Smile

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

windslayer · Since 30 Apr 2007 153 Posts Stoked

Had incident yesterday at the real Wall across and up from Rufas. Swell was amazing. An old dude with an old rig (Simmer sail), wouldnt let me by. I had right a way (starboard), however I thought that maybe he was wanting to catch a swell....so a veared down wind,,,,he went down...i went up...he went up....so I just sat at 12:00 so he could deside. He had already given me an ugly look shaking his head earlier.....an then this. So I chased him down and asked him "why would he do that?...why must he do that?" The response was "go down to where the other kiters are!!!" I told him that this water was NOT his...its OURS!!! IT is OUR water!!!!! ANd if im up there on a 6m kite as a chick ..solo,,,,,i clearly know what I am doing!

I continued to kite up there for another hour....staying up wind of him a little so he could have SOME of HIS preciouse space.

I thought this type of behavior was OVER! I am shocked!! There were all of 6 windsurfers at the real Wall, and the rest of them had no problems.

Kiters are new money makers in the Columbia River Gorge. Windsurfers are still in the running, but not as much.

Keep the stoke on the river....it is OURS!!! OURS!!!!

MarkWorth · Since 02 May 2011 149 Posts Hood River Stoked

Try to park your kite at 11:00 or 1:00 if you are waiting for others to pass.
12:00 might be neutral in other places but in The Gorge, especially just in front of the Event Site and at Rowena 12:00 is a bad place for a kite. 11:00 or 1:00 are much safer kite positions because your kite can not fly upwind of you and drop your own lines on you.

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

melokitegirl · Since 28 Oct 2008 396 Posts Where the wind blows Obsessed

My fantasy...

A super long picnic table at the event site. Pot Luck BBQ & Keg/Wine. We all have to sit together-windsurfers & kiters (every other seat) and actually talk to each other & learn how to best be together here. Bring up issues in a civilized manner & maybe even have resolution. Geez, maybe we could make some new friends. Or even combine our associations so its.. Columbia River Wind Sports Association.

Yup...just a fantasy.