Is the Hatchery turning into an angry bee hive?

jonah · Since 20 Jul 2006 169 Posts Hood River Stoked

Pete, now that you have explained in excessive detail why you have a right to be angry at a few specific kiters, why don't you answer the one question that everyone actually cares about:

Why do you think you have the right to harass respectful kiters (or windsurfers) who don't get in the way of others?

SpaceRacer · Since 04 Nov 2007 434 Posts Obsessed

All I can say is that if someone tries that shit on me someone is getting a strapped directional across their face.

forrest · Thu Jul 12, 12 9:16 am

LOL, I'm surprised that I consider this a good read. Well said J.R., minus the part about getting your ass kicked... That only happens to people who don't surf with a glock! Razz

I kid, I kid...

forrest · Thu Jul 12, 12 9:18 am

I think he called himself out for blowing up. I know I've blown up on a few people in the heat of the moment.

jonah · Since 20 Jul 2006 169 Posts Hood River Stoked

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

Lol nothing in that post was relevant to why your an ass clown. Oh wait, your an ass clown because kiters are getting in your way? Welcome to the gorge. You think I go out there and dive my kite at the windsurfers trying to learn to windsurf directly downwind of our sliders at the marina? You think I ride into the flatwater near the marina on a busy day when people are swimming and threaten them?? Your being a complete tool, at least acknowledge it and have the balls to apologize instead of acting like what you are doing is justified.

Weaz · Since 23 May 2012 360 Posts Beaverton Obsessed

Christ I blow up at myself.

bwd · Since 04 Aug 2007 385 Posts Obsessed

The funny thing about this to me is I learned to kite mainly because one day 12 years ago I saw Lou Wainman and Elliot (ACL) riding at the Hatch, launching from the point, shredding swell, boosting over the point, landing in the pool, crashing all over the place.
It was solid 4.5-4.7 wind, they had a 5.0m flexi blade kite and a 2 line death bucket...
They got in everybody's way, at some point, though they tried not to, and only one windsurf-mom in the parking lot bitched about it,
"Oh no, not at the Hatch." she said, waaaah.
Everyone else just enjoyed the stoke and made room for each other.
And then I got stung by a bee, for real, iced my foot and shot photos of them for an hour.
Good times.

BTW Pete is full of it.
No need to go to some fancy fed. court to sue someone for threats, slander, etc., if it actually occurred.
Or have them charged with assault.
Local jurisdictions will hear you.
If you're enough of an ass to bring a suit.
It's just as bad an idea to throw windsurf tricks by the point when crowded, as kite tricks.
Crowds limit what you can do.
Not crowds of kites, windsurfers, or yellow submarines.
Crowds of people.

RIP Rodney King.

Blazeheliski · Since 30 Mar 2011 659 Posts Mosier Addicted

How is an epic Hatch day any different than an epic powder day on the mountain? They both only come around a few days or weeks a year if we are lucky. You have multiple ways of riding the epic conditions (ski, board, tele) or (kite, windsurf, SUP). You have many people competing for the same terrain for conditions that will only be good for a few hours. Some pitches and terrain tend to be more fun for snowboarders and some more suited to skiing, but you do not see territorial disputes with one discipline claiming one part of the hill for themselves. Other than following the basic right of way rules - first person to the stash gets it.

It doesn't matter if it is a pro skier tearing it up or a newb snowboarder wasting good powder by straight lining it down the hill. He got there first - he gets to ride it how he wants. Sure - its poor form - but you wont see any fist fights breaking out down at the lodge because he boarded some powder in a way other people thought was a waste. You don't want to waste the precious time. Just get back up the hill faster and use your uber skills to get something better that nobody has touched on the next lap.

Why not apply a more mountain attitude to the river? We are all having fun - competing for the same epic conditions. Basic right away rules apply - give each other room - first person to to a section gets to play on it how they want with the toy they want - and move on so that the next person can play too?

I guess there is not enough fight club drama in that.................

Sella · Thu Jul 12, 12 11:31 am

JonMalmberg · Since 15 Aug 2011 340 Posts Obsessed

If this dude ever charges me, it won't end well for him.

Bettyboarder · Thu Jul 12, 12 11:48 am

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

If you do a trick or go airborne, and you make contact with another water user,YOU ARE UNEQUIVACLY IN THE WRONG!!! There are rules that govern interaction on the water, there are NO rules for flying thru the air.

So if you are trying to learn new shit at the Hatch or ANYWHERE ELSE, You have to make sure NO ONE IS IN YOUR VICINITY, and when you shit goes wonky, you're not gonna take someone out.

Simple as that.

Josh_In_HR · Since 11 Jul 2012 11 Posts United States

I'm not "whoring myself out" - I don't mind being in the middle because I share some of Pete's concerns although certainly not his tactics.

Bettyboarder: those are pete's words, not mine, but the top of my post addresses how this situation may occur, and it should certainly be noted that either type of board rider can be the offender.

If you are (knowingly or unknowingly) riding in someone's blind spot, you're responsible for being able to GTFO of the way no matter what they do - even it means a rapid change of direction, vertical launch, or total stop.

WINDUDE · Since 10 Jun 2010 558 Posts GORGE! Addicted

P

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Josh_In_HR · Since 11 Jul 2012 11 Posts United States

Penis?

dancingwind · Since 18 Jul 2007 321 Posts Obsessed

Haven't kited at the hatch for a couple of years because of the random unexpected AGRO harassment of some windsurfers! Reading that some kiters were harassed to the point of trying to physically dodge the rogue windsurfer to avert a collision or being struck by the board in the head is alarming! There are bad apples in every community, but to attempt to solve an issue by sailing out with the intention of inflicting physical harm is unacceptable and could result in serious ramifications. Call those people out, be it kiters or windsurfers that are causing the friction, by contacting respected members of both the kite and windsurf community and deal with them personally. But to fight fire with fire will only add more fuel to the blaze!