Is the Hatchery turning into an angry bee hive?

Pepi · Wed Jul 11, 12 9:24 pm

So after posting this info and getting some pm's and texts from some windsurfers and kiters, I learned this :

The shaking of the beehive :
Yesterday before we passed through the Hatch - there apparently had been some out of town pro kiters up at the hatch boosting and wiping out big time and having to spend a lot of time body dragging to get to their boards. It was mainly 2 guys showboating right in front

The bee sting :
Also, from some windsurf friends that usually used to invite me to kite around them while they windsurf at the Hatch, they have now grown a bit tired of the kiters showboating in front of the Hatch. Especially one person, a guy with a blonde pony tail has outwardly declared war, or his form of it, against kiters by regularly going out of his way after any kiters who come near the Hatch.
He used to work at a local shop I believe.

More info, but not anything that really makes anything any better, just more identifiable yet, still uncontrollable.

Ryan · Since 14 Jul 2005 537 Posts Oregon Addicted

Go west...better waves and wind at the coast....

Laughing

dangler · Since 26 Feb 2006 1773 Posts WINDY SPOTS XTreme Poster

So I'm at the Hatch today, and a buddie of mine tells me blonde pony tail boy, stops in to tell him that he and his friends had decided that they weren't going to allow kiters at the hatch, but that he (my longtime friend and gorge local) and one or two other kiter hatch regulars were OK.

My friend was windsurfing before this kid was born, and has kited the Hatch since before pony tail ever heard of da Gorge. Needless to say my friend told him to feck off.

WTF, so much drama lately. I guess it happens, height of the tourist season and all, but all this aggro behaviour is total bullsh*t.

F*ckwits need to have Dave R's post tattooed on their forearms for easy reference.
(scroll back in this thread and reread Dave R's post and chill the f*ck out.)

knotwindy · Since 25 Sep 2011 615 Posts Addicted

so can we get the asshole who was crashing nonstop and started this episode and the pony tail guy who thinks it is his job to stop it and lock them in a room with a lot of alcohol and some weapons and just see what happens

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

Sella · Wed Jul 11, 12 11:40 pm

Josh_In_HR · Since 11 Jul 2012 11 Posts United States

Josh_In_HR · Since 11 Jul 2012 11 Posts United States

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1857 Posts XTreme Poster

I think it's important for "PTPete" to go to 2nd Wind and talk to Pepi in person and get this sorted out. 95% of the people want the same thing and the fact that Pete wanted to talk to some kiters on the beach, regardless of the outcome, says to me he's in the 95% crowd. Pepi is a stand-up guy and the majority of the wind community listens to him, respects him, and looks to him for leadership.

I remember so many similar scenarios from the really crowded Hatchery days in the mid 90's. Sailors screaming at each other for right of way, folks being told if they want to loop not to do it here, or there, collisions, and a very occasional pathetic fight

At times on a kite it's an exercise in civility to put up with the petty bs. You get glared at as you head up wind, yelled at, and the guy at swell who yells "get the f&))&. out of here," and makes little scissor motions with his hand is actually a bit of comic relief, though still annoying. I am most likely going to ride up there again today and get flipped off charged and Edward Scissor Handed again. Whatever...
Kites are an easy target, but the crowded anger has been going on long before kites showed up.

I guess my point is if one has to deal with a slew of annoying behaviors the pot may boil over. It happens. Usually a face to face after emotions have cooled brings about greater harmony and understanding. As I posted on iwindsurf, I blew a cork at a sailor and it was completely unjustified. He was classy enough to ask me to call him and I was able to apologize and straighten things out. It was understandable that I blew, but that didn't make it right and it sure as heck did nothing positive to blow at an innocent sailor.

See folks on the water today. It's going to be good

BeerKite · Since 29 Mar 2011 471 Posts Obsessed

Running someone down with your rig because you think you own the spot is not justified. I don't care if your name is ponytail Pete, pig tail Pauly, or permed out Priscilla. I had plenty of room upwind of the Hatch when this dude came flying downwind just to shake his ponytail at me. Most everyone else was super cool and were giving respect to eachother. Anytime I see a windsurfer do anything but mow the lawn I give them a hoot and a thumbs up or shaka or whatever. Anyway, I turned the other cheek when I was out there and I suppose I'll do the same now. I have nothing but respect for the sailors out there ripping and I give them a wide birth but to deliberately run people down is ridiculous.

I would never teach at the Hatch. Downwind towards Wells island away from the dead heads, yes. A flag on the jet ski would not work, kite lines + flag pole= bad idea.

Jonpnw · Thu Jul 12, 12 6:46 am

So how do you get to this spot? Just launch from the event site and head up wind?

Very Happy

unbob · Since 31 Aug 2008 260 Posts 'da Gorge/LaV Obsessed

Pepi · Thu Jul 12, 12 7:28 am

Hold on, now, just to make things a bit clearer, I should maybe have made a closing statement to that last post by saying :
" Okay, now we have a better idea of what exactly shook the beehive that day, it was a combination of pro kiters being disrespectful of windsurfers at a very popular windsurf sport, which in turn made some already upset windsurfers even angrier at kiters that day"

I have not had any personal interference directly with Ponytail boy except for his actions towards my friends.
I mentioned him in the post as a caution for others to steer clear of him. Some of us that kite through the Hatch area can outmaneuver an angry windsurfer very easily, but most others might not and that could result in a very bad intentionally caused accident/injury that none of us wants to happen, whether that be to a kiter or windsurfer.

At this point in the summer, my time is so overwhelmed with work, water access meetings, kite events and family obligations, I have no time or interest in meeting with angry people.
Right now i just want to know where they are and steer clear of them.

BTW - Kited up to the hatch yesterday evening and had an epic session with 1 other kiter and two windsurfers. We shaka'd and shared waves cordially all evening. Was stoked to be around riders having just plane fun.

Weaz · Since 23 May 2012 360 Posts Beaverton Obsessed

Even kiters get annoyed by people that are constantly body dragging through the good spots...

MarkWorth · Since 02 May 2011 149 Posts Hood River Stoked

I wondered why that windsurfer changed course down wind, and set up a collision course with me 3 days ago.

At the time I was passing well clear in front of him, as he changed course and accelerated I compensated by turning from slow down wind to a faster off wind tack to stay clear. Surprise, he accelerated and turned off the wind onto a collision course again. This did scare the sh** out of me because I was approaching my max speed limits and an explosion was now only a small mistake away. The windsurfer continued to accelerate and force me to go faster. He was less than 10 feet away as I got down wind and clear of him. At the critical moment I was at my limits with a windsurfer in the area that I would have exploded into. I don’t think this windsurfer understands that if he forces an explosion he is going to get hurt. At that speed if I had lost the edge I would have been crossing through the space he occupied at well over 40mph.

By the time I understood that the collision course was intentional, I could not just stop because he was right on by tail and he would have hit me if I had not continued to move out of the way.

The windsurfer almost committed suicide by kite.

jackZ · Since 13 Apr 2008 355 Posts Devon Alberta ca. Obsessed

WOW !?
This stuff is truly amazing !
I can understand a little ribbing and at times anger over a stupid move by whichever . An apology from said stupid move initiator should be sufficient . Crowded spots make it worse for sure but I believe the water is for all and getting along is the best way .
On Maui a few months ago I was making a reach across out in front of Naish Beach along with several other kiters . A windsurfer was coming toward me and we waved a pleasant acknowledgement to each other with still 50yds apart . I saw another windsurfer coming at an angle towards both of us but thought nothing of it . The friendly windsurfer and I were just passing each other or just passed and I heard a clack -bang ooooo ummph . I turned to look over my shoulder and saw both of them in the water . The guy rammed right into the back of the WS that had just passed me ! Now I don't know if this dude was aiming for me or not .
That was some serious shit as far as I'm concerned .
I spoke with some of the people who are local on Maui and it happens that attitudes get in the way of fun.
I was not affected directly by Mr Crash but I'm sure he got an earful from the Nice WS he smashed into .
Prior to that incident I had only been yelled at once or twice by WS's not really giving a shit and kiting on as I believe I did no wrong it was just WS vs KB bullshit to be ignored .
Ramming or charging another person is dangerous and could be life threatening for obvious reasons .
Some of these people should try to imagine standing in court defending themselves if they caused a serious injury or death if it was worth it .... NOT !
I had angry thoughts for a brief period after that incident on Maui ,really though after riding on and enjoying all the positive this sport gives , my mood calmed and the smile came back real quick .
Sorry to he ar and I hope Blondie gets his Mojo inline . Karma dude , Karma .
You guys/gals inHR area ROCK and I have enjoyed myself immensly when visiting .
JackZ

Glad to hear your OK Mark close calls like that are scary shit . I took a lesson from you back in 06 I think it was , Fk getting old sucks , I remember your concern of safety and making sure I understood whats what . Thanks again and I'm passing on the same to others I help out .

Josh_In_HR · Since 11 Jul 2012 11 Posts United States

Pete asked me in person to post this here, so I am. What follows the bold text is entirely his words (including references to unicorns, rainbows, and no-talent ass clowns (which don't happen to be kiters)).

Another note: when reading this, you may ask how or why Pete was in the air trying back loops when a kiter was in the vicinity of his landing area. Here's what happens: You're blasting on port looking for a ramp. Kiter is directly behind or behind and upwind, assuming you're either blasting, jibing, or swell riding. You rapidly turn forward motion into vertical motion, stopping your progress across the river. All of the sudden, the kiter is a lot closer than they realized. I've had it happen to me before, too.

After receiving an email from one of my kiter buddies, believe it or not, I have a lot of friends that kite, linking some posts regarding the issue on NW Kite Forum and being yelled at by one of the regular hatch kiters while I tried to explain the situation at the yesterday, this is all that I'm going to say on the situation.

From NW Kite Forum, posted by Pepi:

"The shaking of the beehive :
Yesterday before we passed through the Hatch - there apparently had been some out of town pro kiters up at the hatch boosting and wiping out big time and having to spend a lot of time body dragging to get to their boards. It was mainly 2 guys showboating right in front

The bee sting :
Also, from some windsurf friends that usually used to invite me to kite around them while they windsurf at the Hatch, they have now grown a bit tired of the kiters showboating in front of the Hatch. Especially one person, a guy with a blonde pony tail has outwardly declared war, or his form of it, against kiters by regularly going out of his way after any kiters who come near the Hatch.
He used to work at a local shop I believe.

More info, but not anything that really makes anything any better, just more identifiable yet, still uncontrollable."

Here's the story:

I got back from a surf trip to the coast with one of my buddies that kites and on Sunday afternoon. He kited the newport south jetty, while I surfed the left. Probably 15 kiters out, they gave me priority on all the lefts. Never had an issue, was actually thinking that maybe I would try kiting sometime this summer. It was great weekend of mellow coast surfing and for him kiting. Sunday, I got back to Hood River and was able to sail a session at the Hatch. While attempting a backloop, I looked to spot my landing and there was a kiter underneath me. No idea who it was. I crashed and he popped his head up and apologized. I'm pissed but let it slide.

Monday, it's windy. I go sail the Hatch with my friends. BMP, Rob, Nick, and I all have narrow misses with the same kiter in the same session. He was not one of the Hatch regulars, don't know who it was. We are starting to get pissed. While about to launch for my second session, I see what is probably an experienced kiter, having his wife with his small daughter watching, launching a kite from the point, giving her directions, quite obvious that it was the first time she launched a kite. Not cool on the windiest most crowded day in weeks. Right on the point of the Hatchery, the most fucking crowded spot on the river.

During the second session, while in the air attempting a port backloop on the last ramp near the point, a different kiter on a directional wiped out underneath me, while I'm in the air. That's the second time in two days. He pokes out his head and says, "Oh I'm sorry dude." Great, sorry, sorry that for the second time in two days, I almost destroy 3k in gear, get hurt, and hurt someone else. I bitch him out and he does the smart thing and leaves. Now I'm starting to lose it. A few minutes earlier the same thing happened BMP. We are in the parking lot after sailing and begin talking about how someone is going to get fucking hurt if this continues.

Tuesday, it's windy. I go sail the Hatch with my friends. While jumping off the last port ramp, a kiter with probably his head down watching the swell, kites underneath me, I literally have to avoid his lines in the air. I crash and he pops up within reaching distance of me and says, "Oh, sorry dude, nice air." I fucking lose it. Strike 3. 3 days, 3 times a kiter, kites underneath me while I'm in the air. Not cool.

I'm not policing shit. I'm not a good windsurfer, and I know I suck. The only reason I'm out sailing in the Gorge is to stay in shape and work on new moves. I didn't sail the point for my first 2 summers in the Gorge. I waited until I could at least sail well enough and know enough about the rest of the people to stay out of the better sailors and kiters way. I sure as hell know that if someone is lining up a ramp, to GET OUT OF THE WAY. Seriously, would you want Dale to land his fin on your head? That's called death.

There's a saying in surfing, you surf on the beach for a long time before you surf in the water. You learn the conditions, the currents, the wave, and most importantly the line up. Piss off the wrong person with a facial tattoo and a swastika on his board, you get your ass kicked. Drop in on the wrong person, you get your ass kicked. Talk to the wrong person you get your ass kicked. The nice thing about windsports is that we are all kooks. No surfers respect us and no one probably ever will. It's cool watching Ben Wilson or JP at Cloudbreak but it will never be as sweet as a surfer getting pitted. It is the lack of an established authority as to priority which is creating priority. Yelling starboard at the point doesn't do shit.

I have ton of respect for the old gorge crew that switched to kiting, West, Brad, Zach, Rex, Tricky Ricky, Colin, Sgt. Loop, Brave Dave, Johnny, A-Train, and many others. As I tried to explain to one of them yesterday, this isn't about them. I've sailed among them enough, to know that they can handle themselves. I know they don't kite underneath people in the air.

Here's my issue with situation at the point. Wyatt, Tyson, BMP, Casey, Russell the Love Muscle, Nick, Rob, JP, and all the rest of the point sailors all sail at a very high level. They sail the Gorge for a few months in the summer because it's fucking fun to sail with your best friends. They use this as a training ground for bigger and better things in the winter. The Gorge has no natural consequences for developing a higher skill level. You crash, so what, you're not going to get pounded by a double mast high set, lose all your shit, almost drown, and have to walk down the street barefoot puking up saltwater, seeing unicorns and rainbows because you had to hold onto the reef while taking a 8 wave set on the head.

The only real way to get hurt or fucking die, is a collision with another river user, kiter, sup, fishing boat, barge, fishing net, windsurfer, floating logs, ect. To all the kiters that I screamed at. When was the last time you kited the event site, and three days in a row jumped and a windsurfer sailed and dropped his equipment directly underneath you while you're in the air? Was it guilt by association, yes. Did I wrongly yell at some innocents, yes. Apologies.

For windsurfers, kiters, and everyone else, if it's a crowded windy day at the hatchery and there are ramps. Please give people space. If you've ever been hit by a surfboard, windsurfer, or tangled in kite lines you know that it's going to fuck you up. Fins slice deep, hospital bills are expensive, cancelled surf and windsurf trips due to injuries suck.

Final rant on some of the posts from the kite forum. For the individual that made the racial comment regarding my hair and my lost Jack Johnson CD. Jack Johnson is a no talent ass clown as a muscian but one bad ass surfer before he got hurt. As for my hair, GROW IT WHILE YOU GOT IT.

For the individual that suggested filing a small claims case against windsurfers that yell at kiteboarders. You are going to have serious issues with both personal and subject matter jurisdiction, as well as a continued venue problem. Maritime law falls under the sole jurisdiction of the U.S. Federal courts, especially on interstate waterways, and for you to bring a claim there must be a minimum of 75k in damages. I highly doubt that you're intelligent enough to be able to locate the paperwork much less be able to pick the appropriate forum in which to pursue the action, any claim would be considered a frivolous action most likely resulting in award of fees and costs to defense. If this is a path you would like to pursue, I would reccomend that you file sooner than later and send service and process within 30 days. I can always use some fast cash, and I doubt that you would like me to place a lien on your kiteboard, vehicle, home, and paycheck {if you actually get one.}

Enough is enough, just give people space so no one gets hurt. Summer is almost over and we can all go back to our uncrowded zen lifestyle in warmer waters soon enough.

Why are we still using forums? This is the most arcane way of communicating. Someone develop a website where you can easily post pictures, communicate with other river users, and sell the advertising space.

Ponytail Pete
J.R.
Whatever else you want to call me.

Josh feel free to post this to the kite forum.