SCARY SITUATION

dangler · Since 26 Feb 2006 1780 Posts WINDY SPOTS XTreme Poster

The scariest situation at the Event Site needs to be addressed.

THE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES HANGING OUT ON THE EAST BEACH!!!

Its a nice little beach, but people are unknowingly putting their children, and themselves at great risk. I know there is a sign on the tree warning people, but its obviously not working.

Today there were eight kids playing near, and in the water, DIRECTLY DOWNWIND OF A VERY BUSY LAUNCH AND LAND ZONE.

I went over and told everyone of the peril, pointed out the sign, and suggested the west end of the beach. Exactly one couple with a baby took my advice and moved.

MOMENTS LATER SOMEONE COMING IN CRASHED THEIR KITE IN THAT AREA. Of course it happens all the time, its fluky wind in there, MY kite luffed the other day and nearly fell, ON A MOM AND HER SMALL CHILD. Freaked me out and I yelled something, (as I've a tendency to do) and she replied she didn't know how to catch kites. She nearly had her first lesson.

I'm concerned for our access, and even more concerned for the children playing innocently on what they assume is a safe, fun beach.

ANY ONE HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS????? THIS NEEDS TO BE FIXED ASAP!!!

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

Maybe someone can talk to Carl or not. Maybe post signs and or mark the grass with white strips that read KITE LANDING ZONE (KLZ) authorized access only. Here's another Idea:
Maybe someone (that means you) should setup a portable ORANGE CAUTION FENCE (OCF) on the kite-able days your at the beach. The OCF should stretch from the cliff to the side walk as not to block access. The eastern KLZ OCF could be setup at the concrete trash can and the Western KLZ OCF could be setup at the base of the Pine Tree.
Simple, attach signs on both entrances of the KLZ reading " Caution: KITE LANDING ZONE PLEASE USE EXTREME CAUTION IN THIS AREA. Then you need to forum a Kiteboarding Brotherhood, you could call your selfs "DANGLER BOYS" Each member wears a shirt the reads. GOT WIND on the front and DANGLER BOYS on the back and in smaller print just below it reads "get your shit out of the fucking landing zone BITCHES!!!!.

That my Idea.

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

I'm having trouble ordering the t-shirts... I need one large, and a medium... thanks!

hoodkiter · Since 10 Jul 2010 95 Posts Hood River, OR

ill take a shirt too. someone with extra time pls design these? or maybe just a huge sign that says:

"get your shit out of the fucking landing zone BITCHES!!!!"

that can be permanently set up at the event site.

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

Deleted.

Weaz · Since 23 May 2012 360 Posts Beaverton Obsessed

Love that. If you make shirts let me know I want one.

quenyaistar · Since 21 Oct 2011 416 Posts Cougar, WA Obsessed

Saweet, I want one too....

Spruce · Since 23 Feb 2009 47 Posts Hood River Oregon

Now that's a sweet warning sign! This one gets my vote Exclamation

Justsmile · Since 20 Jul 2009 1530 Posts Not Portland XTreme Poster

From what I have seen this year that is just a normal day at the event site. While launching I had 3 kites hit me. You have to stop all and help them. You can't help one because as soon as you step in the box you are on deck for 2 others. Fun times and great entertainment all be it scary sometimes and a little frustrating. Keep the wind coming:-)!!

Danger I saw you step in the box and do a little educating. Thanks for helping them out. How abouts the boyfriend/girlfriend learning to launch the north right in front of the lawn. Purely awesome. Interesting to watch relationships blow up in front of you.

achen · Since 03 Apr 2012 39 Posts

WindLogik · Since 09 Feb 2009 95 Posts Hood River

I agree. People that don't kite have no idea how dangerous they are. On Saturday, the photographer had the great idea to put a big flag right down there on the east beach. I don't think that's save either.

krazedkiter · Since 08 Jun 2009 183 Posts Florida Stoked

Outsider looking in with suggestions/comments.

Is this a kitesurf only beach as designated by the managing authorities?

Attemtping to claim a beach for kitesurfing only and not working in a solution to allow both to occupy the same stretch of beach is risky for access.

Do the beach goers have a stretch of their own beach that is just as or more pristine then the one you are talking about? Are they crowded out of that beach?

flipper · Since 17 Oct 2011 320 Posts Obsessed

Agreed to the danger. Where are these people coming from anyway? I just assumed some kiters hate their family and put them there on purpose.

hoodkiter · Since 10 Jul 2010 95 Posts Hood River, OR

there is really no reason to be swimming/ playing there with the nice, new sandy beach park just a short walk away. we really need a sign saying

"swimmers please take 1 minute and walk to the wonderful new beach park we just spent a ton of money on, and quit playing in the sketchy rocks near the dangerous kites."

or the "TOMAHAWK ZONE" sign might be even more effective. I like that one.

in any case, people definitely are not well informed of the dangers of amateur kiters landing kites in a small area in nasty wind.

and to all the amateur kiters: maybe don't kite out of the event site, because there will always be ignorant beach goers there right when you are trying to come in. just wait for the sand bar to return so you have at least a square foot more to land your kite in, and you wont accidentally crush a clueless little kid.

wow i write a lot. in short:

don't kite at the event site unless you can accurately land your kite between hordes of people in gusty wind.

krazedkiter · Since 08 Jun 2009 183 Posts Florida Stoked

lloyd · Since 16 Aug 2007 108 Posts Hood River Stoked

If you replace all the times this conversation has made reference to the event site and replace it with "the sandbar", it is very reminiscent of past conversations regarding use, launching, who is right and who is wrong. Working towards solutions that incorporate everyone's needs will ensure access for everyone. And don't forget, 9 months out of the year this isn't even a problem. Families have even more rights to use that beach than do the kiting community. Kiting is just a small part of what goes on down there throughout the year. We are there on a temporary "loan" and should be thanking everyone for that opportunity.

Justsmile · Since 20 Jul 2009 1530 Posts Not Portland XTreme Poster

where is the "like " button for lloyds post!!!!