Marina Beach Closure?

KatieRae · Since 06 Jul 2012 1 Posts New Member

As a full time citizen of Hood River I am livid at the actions of the Port of Hood River. Today at the Marina Beach (7-6-12) there was a reported verbal conflict between a kiteboarder and a beach patron, I didn't see it, only heard about it. The day ended in the beach-goer calling the Port and complaining about kitebaording at the Marina Beach. This created a knee jerk reaction from the Port, closing the west end of the Marina Beach to kiteboarding.

The Marina Beach is our home, my family and I kiteboard there almost every day. Last weekend was our busiest weekend at the Marina and it went off with out a hitch. Smiles all around, beach patrons were taking pictures of the kiteboarders in amazement, remarking on how wonderful of a beach the Marina is, and how kiteboarders, kids, and family’s all can use the same space.

One person's actions should not result in wide sweeping policy changes. This is a unnecessary knee jerk reaction by the port. Kiteboarders with families should have a right to use the beach and the grassy launch. My 3 year old daughter should be able to run in the grass and splash in the water while my husband and I take turns kiteboarding. Port of Hood River: readjust your thinking... Does the the complaint system work as intended? Can a kiteboarder complain about a beach patron and have them kicked off the beach? I would think not. Does the Oregon Department of Transportation close I84 when someone is caught driving recklessly?

We have an access problem in Hood River, that is obvious. What is not obvious is that kiteboarders are being pushed on to gravel lots that are dusty, dirty, and unsafe. The east end of the Marina beach features a cinder block wall downwind. The area is sandy/rocky, dusty, with sharp grass and you can't really walk barefoot anywhere. Then there is the Sandbar parking lot which is also dirty, dustry, with sharp jagged rock. It's no wonder that Kiteboarders have been pushing so hard to gain access at the Event Site.

We need to create more beaches, but that's not easy. Here is an easier suggestion: Continue the strip of grass all the way to the bathroom. Kiteboarders can have a space to pump and dry in high and low water times.

I understand that the Marina is one of the last “free beaches”, but it is also one of the safest places for our daughter and many other kiteboarding families to bring their children while they recreate. The maria is a big beach and we all should be about to share the space in harmony like we have been doing for the last year.

cgka · Since 18 Jul 2006 278 Posts Obsessed

There is no access closure at the Marina Beach.
The kite launch at the East end of the Marina Beach is still open and will remain open until we do something to cause the Port to close it for safety reasons.

All the rules that we set up and have been attempting to follow for the past 3 years are still in effect.
The only current possible issue at hand is that a few kiteboarders have been overstretching the boundaries of this rule by using the grass areas, of which are set aside specifically for beachgoers, not kite pump/dry or launching.
Shared user access is the key to our success and continued access at the Marina.

The Port maintanance guys have been taking a bit of abuse from some kiters during their attempts to keep the shared use balance even, of which we are hoping it is only 1 or 2 people just not understanding the delicate nature of our access via the Marina.
If you have the opportunity help with these situations when you are down there, it would be a great help to the kite community.

Here are links and attachments with reminder information about our agreed access at the Marina :
http://nwkite.com/forums/t-25823.html

Continued access growth along all points of the waterfront are totally and completely contingent upon the safety, rules and behavior of the kite community.
It's not something for us to try to take away, but to earn, and that's how we've gained the most solid ground and support from both the Port and the windsurf community.

BigR · Since 05 Jul 2005 372 Posts White Salmon Obsessed

It took only 1 idiot to close Rickenbacker in Miami, totally and irrevocably to
kiteboarding down there because of one dude mouthing off to public officials.
It took only 1 idiot to close Virginia Key in Miami , totally and irrevocably to
kiteboarding down there because of one dude mouthing off to public officials.

It only takes one idiot to do the job....

buttersmoothcarver · Since 08 Oct 2008 246 Posts Stoked

Katie/CGKA, Thanks for bring up this issue once again. From what I've seen down there this year 95% of kiters have not been using the desinated area. Of course, the westend is way nicer (grass and paved parking), and seems to have an "everyone else is doing it, must be fine attitude". All in all, even when high numbers of beach goers are present we have co accessed it fine. However, I've dreeded the day where some beach goer "calls" us out on our "rule following" and turns into a conflict, which would turn into a complaint. It would be cool if us local's lead by example and politely inform other Kiters please follow the desination areas. Maybe someday the entire marina beach will be open. But the vibe on the beach and maintance guys is going the other direction. Sent from phone

Inept_Fun · Since 14 Apr 2005 1417 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

Hey Port all these vagrants come and hang out near the sandbar, also there are way too many asshole windsurfers at the event site. How do I file one of these formal complaints to kick these people out of these areas. While we are at it where can I file one for Scooter?

shred_da_gorge · Tue Jul 10, 12 1:01 pm

Spike · Since 13 May 2007 1414 Posts Alameda Spelling Expert