Is the Hatchery turning into an angry bee hive?

Pepi · Since 16 Jun 2006 1831 Posts Pure Stoke Sports Shop Owner **CGKA Member**

I know I'm going to hate myself for making this post, but......

On Tuesday, a group of good friends (pro kiters/instructors) and I ran a downwind kite run from Viento to the Event Site.

Since we had a group of solid rippers with boots and surfboard, we had big plans of tearing up some swell all the way down, but conscientiously we also spoke about steering very clear of windsurfers from Swell down to the Hatch.

As agreed, as we came down to the Swell City we all spread out almost a mile apart, since I was tired from playing on swell and fairly overpowered by then on my 9m kite, I shifted into cruise mode parked my kite and followed a downwind line on the FAR side of the river. No one was around me for almost 300 yrds. Out of the corner of my eye, I see a windsurfer heading on a reach towards me, I think hey, is this maybe one of my buddies coming by to say 'hi' (i am a windsurfer as well). As they get closer, I realize that this guy is adjusting his angle straight at me and proceeds to jam upwind right at me. I adjust around him and decide that this is someone to avoid eye contact and just get out. I jibe and motor downwind, of which the sailor then jibes and attempts to chase me down and now he has a friend who is also taking line trying to chase me down. From the looks on their faces, they are in 'angry mode' and people to avoid.

Back at the Event Site, I begin landing my friends kites and sharing the story with them. Amazingly, every one of my friends had a similar but worse stories of being chased, yelled, pursued, or in two cases had windsurfers just go full mental chasing and screaming at them.
I remind you, that we all agreed to steer clear of the windsurfers, of which we all did. This was a group of expert and friendly kiters.

Overhearing us talking on the beach, a number of other kiters intervened to share similar stories.

I don't think in anyway that windsurfers are mean, but it does make one wonder are the new crappy choppy conditions at the Hatchery breeding a more frustrated type of windsurfer up there and should the kite community (those kiters that go up there to share the swell) be more aware of the anger issues and attempt to tread more lightly?

I apologize ahead of time for those of you who will now endure comments from Monkeyboy and Ian (u guys know I love you right?).

tstansbury · Since 06 Jun 2006 649 Posts Rowena and P.C Addicted

Maybee posting a little gopro fotage will shame them into better behavior

Pepi · Wed Jul 11, 12 9:53 am

zipperline · Since 02 Aug 2005 66 Posts Hood River

Yeah there is definately some bitterness going on. There's a long thread about kiteboarders being allowed at the Hatch on Nuking days on iwindsurf.com. Been kiting up at Cheap the last 2 days and it is much mellower. Over the last 5 years or so it seems that many windsurfers are dealing with the kiters a bit better but there are some guys that yell get the F*** out of here and try and run you down.
Close minded people will never get it especially if they have never kited. As a long time windsurfer now kiter I can anticipate where the sailor or kiter will be when riding swell. Of course there are kiters and sailors that have no business being at the Hatch. Been that way for years.. Not sure if there is a solution to this problem but a smile goes a long way verses being the Pissed off Bitter asshole!!!

Pepi this is Rossibob posting this one so you know who wrote this one..

There should be nothing but Stoke on the rare special Nuker days by both parties in my opinion!!!

forrest · Wed Jul 11, 12 10:21 am

I guess today is as good a day as any for an upwinder! Gotta see this for myself. I've been meaning to practice my water polo conflict resolution technique.

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

YES I OWN THE RIVER, I'M RICK JAMES, BITCH!!!

Jonpnw · Wed Jul 11, 12 10:29 am **Re: GET OFF MY SWELL. BITCH!!!**

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

I'm sure there is also polesurfer on polesurfer animosity at the hatch - some people are tools and don't play well with others

Most windsurfers are cool - though they might not see you coming from upwind if you are sailing/surfing down river - your responsiblity to avoid them as they're macking back and forth getting ready to blast that jibe if you are sailing downwind

Like anything you might run into the one fuckhead - did have a guy "buzz" me while i was collecting my board at the hatch (best not to fall off your board - don't be roadkill) He saw me, aimed at me and forced me to move my head to the opposite shoulder to retain it...

Jackal · Since 17 Dec 2005 147 Posts WS Stoked

I've been charged a few times at Swell but rarely at the hatch, but I'm always keeping an eye out for the angry ones. Being charged on the river by a fellow user felt surreal "Why is this guy angry at me", especially on a downwinder when I'm just cruising through. Do they charge the barges too?

Eventually their angry blood vessel bursting rants will lead to a massive coronary freeing up space for everyone.

daveS · Since 23 Jul 2007 103 Posts Stoked

I've been at the Hatch the last three days with no issues. Last year we were catching flak from a couple of guys near Swell city and Cheap. Personally I hear more complaints off the Event site.
Dave

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

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

Whoa dangler knows how to use photoshop?? Everyone better watch out now! Them windsurfers just be mad, you think the dinosaurs were happy after that meteor came down and rocked their world??

kenja · Since 19 Jun 2008 179 Posts Stoked

It's funny how some people get so bent over crap like that. Just shred your swell until you see the whites of their eyes and then boost a 40 footer. You'll get out of their way and make them realize how comparatively lame their sport is at the same time.

wjb · Since 14 Aug 2007 223 Posts Nor Cal Stoked

Not sure what they think charging someone will accomplish. Like if they actually planned on hitting someone and risk getting tangled in the kite lines. Doesn't seem too smart.

drussell30 · Since 20 Jul 2011 5 Posts Gorge Kook

Guess we all ran into the same guy! I had the same experience last week - a downwind run of bliss from Viento - then the first guy encountered at Swell City was an angry dick who was yelling and chasing after me. And I was just passing thru!

I felt sorry for the dude. It takes a lot of effort to be such a jerk. Spending all that time defending turf and hating must really get in his way of complaining about crappy wind, crowded parking and stiffing his barista out of tips.

For me it's simply about the wind and water - not what you ride it with! After 28 years of playing in the corridor swell on windsurfers, kites, kayaks, sups, sailboats, and even swimming I don't really care what I'm on out there. They all give me that out of body blissful zen feeling that never gets old.

Yesterday's conditions were amazing! Bashing upwind in solid 30kts on a 6M in huge swell left such a huge grin on my face that not even some asshole Swell City hater could spoil it.

Sella · Wed Jul 11, 12 12:23 pm

I respect a local shop owner called this out. Pepi....good job because it's true and it's bs and there are so many cool windsurfers I hope they crack down on the angry buzzard birds because it's dangerous.

What is funky is they deliberately come at you so your first thought is "shit, did I cut this guy off or ????" because they do looked pissed so you're kind of surprised by the whole thing but it's just a few old bad apples that can't seem to let go of their 80's glory days.

I just smile and wave because overall the pole riders have been awesome these past few years and so many have crossed over to the kite-side that any anger issues on the water seem so weird to me because our DNA is so similar.

You know they are back on the beach bitching and bitching about kiters just so they can feel "involved" with the other WS'ers because they have nothing else of value to share but negative people are social outcasts in every life scenario....even the WS beach. Then they climb back into their huge van pulling a shop trailer with all their WS crap and start complaining about gas prices. Basically, cyclical cynicism at every jibe. Stupid tools.

Jonpnw · Wed Jul 11, 12 12:30 pm

Do they chase the SUP'ers doing down winders too ?