I would like to open a can of "right of way" worms

moondog · Since 15 Aug 2007 706 Posts white salmon Addicted **CGKA Member**

This is for kiteboarders only and doesn't apply to any water between the sandbar and W.S. bridge, because that is the "complete madness zone"!
1. A kiter on a tack towards Oregon has the right of way. Pretty simple!
2. If I am on this beautiful wave face going downwind, why do all the kiters tacking toward WA. try to take me out? Who has the right of way?
3. If I am 2 kite line lengths be a barge following it downwind in it's wake, why do all the kiters tacking towards WA. try to take me out? Actually had a young male blond kiter today with a helmet cam go between me and the barge today. It's like there is no common sense or courtesy out there anymore!
4.Most locals with a few exceptions are very courteous. How do we educate the other 70%? Signage at the event site might help.
5. What is the courtesy rule for riding waves?
Other than that it was a great day until 3 dogs running wild on the sandbar decided to jump over my kite and one didn't make it!!!!!!!

WINDUDE · Since 10 Jun 2010 558 Posts GORGE! Addicted

comment regarding... #1, what if it is an east wind day.......

pdxmonkeyboy · Wed Aug 17, 11 5:12 pm

I think a healthy dose of vagisil is what you really need.

Be part of the solution, go kite in any of the other numerous places on the river.

PS. Those are not "waves". They are rolling little hills. Waves are found in the ocean, they are steep, rideable without other power sources, and actually break.

moondog · Wed Aug 17, 11 5:26 pm

Actually I was at the Hatch all day, it was the ride home when all the fun started! We had swells the size of dump trucks Tuesday the 9th!

pdxmonkeyboy · Wed Aug 17, 11 5:34 pm

Yeah, I saw that swell. Just saying, everything around the event site is thunderdome. It gets repeated and repeated and repeated yet people still want to "share the bitch" about it.

Yeah there are tons of people
There are dogs
There are tourists
There are shit heads and dipshits and people that don't know or care.
That will always be the case...always. Signs won't help, mandatory classes won't help, and posting on the forum certainly won't help.

I find the best appoach is too be courteous and ignore all the bullshit. If they fails a healthy "do that shit again and I'm going to fucking pound you" at the top of your lungs can also be effective.

moondog · Wed Aug 17, 11 5:36 pm

Go to Iwindsurf.com and look at Mike Godsey's video of the Hatch on the 9th. It is wild and I believe it shows Ken Lucas rising out of the depths of the Columbia behind a 10 ft. "breaking" swell. The best day of the season!

hilton · Since 15 Aug 2008 801 Posts Opinionated

I think this was covered in another thread.

It was decided that anyone with a helmet, life jacket, board leash, or Go-Jo automatically has the right of way.

Wind Slither · Since 04 Mar 2005 2620 Posts The 503 METAL

Wait, gotta get this straight. You get to ride the Hatchery on the 9th on what sounds like an all-time epic day, run into some kookiness getting back the the sandbar (no way!) and more than a week later post this?

moondog · Wed Aug 17, 11 5:59 pm

This all happened today. You know how these threads go once monkeyboy gets hold of them!

1surfer · Since 20 Apr 2010 355 Posts 'Ualapu'e / High Rockies Obsessed

1surfer · Since 20 Apr 2010 355 Posts 'Ualapu'e / High Rockies Obsessed

Actually, that may be some sort of new kite cross game. Could be fun ... Anyone ? 6 people in each heat, all with online cutters, 10 minute heats and go for it !!!!Last one with a kite in the air wins. I will have prototypes by morning .....

Aeolus · Wed Aug 17, 11 7:44 pm

Brendan Richards says everyone has to stand down for the kiter on the wave and no one gives a flying rat's ass about starboard right of way

Whoo-hoo!

http://www.thekiteboarder.com/2011/05/keeping-the-peace-kitesurfing-wave-etiquette/

moondog · Wed Aug 17, 11 8:37 pm

Thank you for finding this info Aeolus, very helpful to help educate the kiting masses. It would be great to post a short version at the event site for old and new kiters.

moondog · Wed Aug 17, 11 9:11 pm

He goes on to say this about right of way. "Right of Way"

In case you don’t already know them, here are the rules for when two riders meet:

When two riders are on opposite tacks, the rider with their right hand forward has right of way over the rider with their left hand forward.
When two riders are on the same tack, the rider further downwind has right of way over the rider further upwind.
When one rider passes another, the rider being passed has the right of way.

When riding in surf, you must also add the following rules that apply in the surf zone:

The kiter, windsurfer, or surfer nearest to the peak has the wave, and all others should back off.
Never ride through a pack of surfers or spray them.
When leaving the beach, yield to any kiter, windsurfer, or surfer who is on a wave.
Only ride in the surf if you are surfing waves. Work your way back upwind outside of the waves.

When you meet another kiter, be courteous and position your kite in a way that allows the other rider to cross your path easily. If you are further upwind, hold your kite high. If you are downwind, bring your kite low. It’s as simple as this: Don’t be a dick.

Aeolus · Wed Aug 17, 11 10:04 pm

...couldn't add humorous picture...database error...

JonMalmberg · Since 15 Aug 2011 340 Posts Obsessed

Don't forgot the the rule that actually applies in this case... The freaking downwind sailer has right of way. Monkeyspanker and Moondogger got it right... We ride large mounds of water here in the Gorge, wave rules do NOT apply...

If you riding downwind on a piece of "SWELL"... no matter how "BIG" it is... the guy in the trough may not see you and has "RIGHT OF WAY". For those that have ridden "REAL" waves... the direction of travel is actually perpendicular to the wave, not parallel to the "SWELL" like the Gorge. Different conditions... different rules. If your "KILLING" it so hard on your badass "GORGE WAVE" that you can't avoid hitting someone...

1) Take a lesson and get some control... or
2) Take your badd ass skills and go where it is less crowded.

In many cases the downwind guy is not looking and does not even see the guy on the upwind swell. In the case that you do see that person, then I would advocate some politeness and let them ride on thru.

This is aimed at half of you guys at the Bridge who need to pay attention to those "downwind" of you... It ain't your "WAVE"... cause it is not really a wave!

Kite on, Jon... rant over...

Aeolus · Wed Aug 17, 11 11:15 pm