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Nak
Since 19 May 2005
4304 Posts
Camas
Site Lackey
CGKA Member
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 Tue Aug 21, 12 8:45 am |
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I was there just before the Jetski arrived. Boy, was I glad to see them coming because it would have been pretty difficult helping out without ending up a self-rescue myself!
She had tried to get her kite released for a self-rescue, but was unable to. The bar was stuck on the piling and hopelessly tangled from the kite loops. She tried to disconnect the lines from the kite, but their was too much tension on the lines to allow her to do so. She had no knife, so she had no options. It's way too far to consider swimming back. Even if you're a good swimmer, you'd be invisible to any ship. Her only option, had help not arrived, was to swim to the Washington side. That's a long, long way from Jones by car... If she had a knife, she could have cut three pigtails, gotten her bar off the piling, and self-rescued back to the beach. Another good example as to why you should always carry a knife.
Many kudos to the rescuers!  |
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beech
Since 21 Aug 2010
486 Posts
Longview, WA
Obsessed
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| Tue Aug 21, 12 10:10 am |
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| Nak wrote: | If she had a knife, she could have cut three pigtails, gotten her bar off the piling, and self-rescued back to the beach. Another good example as to why you should always carry a knife.
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That's a good point... something I didn't think of.  If you need to cut away and you're able to.. cut something that costs the least to replace. Pigtails are cheap compared to lines.
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Blazeheliski
Since 30 Mar 2011
659 Posts
Mosier
Addicted
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| Tue Aug 21, 12 10:26 am |
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| beech wrote: | | Nak wrote: | If she had a knife, she could have cut three pigtails, gotten her bar off the piling, and self-rescued back to the beach. Another good example as to why you should always carry a knife.
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That's a good point... something I didn't think of. If you need to cut away and you're able to.. cut something that costs the least to replace. Pigtails are cheap compared to lines. |
I guess I am not picturing this correctly. If she is stuck on the piling unable to release or unhook because of the line tension - how could she get to the pigtails to cut them? What am I missing here? |
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achen
Since 03 Apr 2012
39 Posts
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| Tue Aug 21, 12 10:30 am |
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| Blazeheliski wrote: | | beech wrote: | | Nak wrote: | If she had a knife, she could have cut three pigtails, gotten her bar off the piling, and self-rescued back to the beach. Another good example as to why you should always carry a knife.
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That's a good point... something I didn't think of. If you need to cut away and you're able to.. cut something that costs the least to replace. Pigtails are cheap compared to lines. |
I guess I am not picturing this correctly. If she is stuck on the piling unable to release or unhook because of the line tension - how could she get to the pigtails to cut them? What am I missing here? |
It sounds like she wasnt stuck, the kite and bar were wrapped around the piling with too much tension to release the pigtails. |
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Justsmile
Since 20 Jul 2009
1530 Posts
Not Portland
XTreme Poster
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| Tue Aug 21, 12 10:45 am |
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| I keep asking myself why was she so close to the pilings. this is not the same set up as the stevenson downwinder. the river is wide and the ponds are up wind/downstream so why be so close. Did the kite crash, unable to launch, blow into the pilings and then the shit hits the fan??? Just curious!! |
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abcde
Since 21 Aug 2012
3 Posts
Kook
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| Tue Aug 21, 12 11:06 am photographers? |
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| who was taking pics at Jones on Friday? |
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Blazeheliski
Since 30 Mar 2011
659 Posts
Mosier
Addicted
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| Tue Aug 21, 12 11:39 am |
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| KMG-365 wrote: | | I keep asking myself why was she so close to the pilings. this is not the same set up as the stevenson downwinder. the river is wide and the ponds are up wind/downstream so why be so close. Did the kite crash, unable to launch, blow into the pilings and then the shit hits the fan??? Just curious!! |
It has been my experience that if the wind is light, or the kiter's board is not very efficient at going upwind - the first tack from the Oregon side will take you right in front of, or upwind of those pilings if you are trying to get to the Washington side for better wind. If I am working to stay upwind because the wind is light, I will resist the temptation to get a longer tack and turn before I get to the pilings, because I know that the slightest problem will have my kite in those pilings in no time. I usually will not cross in front of them unless I am at least several tacks upwind of them as a cushion for any kite issues. They really look like nothing - but even the slighest crash will have your kite tangled in no time since the current is not very strong behind the pilings to counteract the west wind.
I admit - I will risk it sometimes if I am feeling "lucky," and fly my kite right over those pilings coming within a couple of feet from the top. I know that I am just pressing my luck........... |
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Justsmile
Since 20 Jul 2009
1530 Posts
Not Portland
XTreme Poster
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| Tue Aug 21, 12 11:59 am |
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| All sounds legit and understandable. I do know what you are talking about with the proximity to the poles. I was just curious as to how she go in the position. The tack over and crashed or what ever the scenario was. Thanks for the ski rescue. I asked what kind of beer the wave runner takes so I can bring some good karma the rescuers way. I get a paycheck for rescue but our rescuer probably got a thanks and I wanted to add to that for him:-)!! |
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Weaz
Since 23 May 2012
360 Posts
Beaverton
Obsessed
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| Tue Aug 21, 12 12:33 pm |
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| I think it happened when a ship and barge were heading up river and another ship was heading downriver... and the wind was really gusty and full of holes at the same time. I could easily see how someone lost 100+ yards due to the gusts if not ready for them that day, they were usually preceded and followed by a huge hole... |
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Nak
Since 19 May 2005
4304 Posts
Camas
Site Lackey
CGKA Member
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| Tue Aug 21, 12 12:53 pm |
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| Blazeheliski wrote: |
I guess I am not picturing this correctly. If she is stuck on the piling unable to release or unhook because of the line tension - how could she get to the pigtails to cut them? What am I missing here? |
When I got to her, her bar was stuck on the piling, but she was not. How she and the bar got into that position, I don't know the details. She said she crashed right in front of the piling. She swam to the kite to try and release it. It was LE down and the wind was keeping it powered up but pointing down. It kept moving side to side, and I didn't want to approach too closely, afraid that it might launch and tangle in my kite. I was considering dragging her back and leaving the kite until later. While I did one tack to get back upwind of the kite, I saw the jetski coming. Woo Hoo! |
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Blazeheliski
Since 30 Mar 2011
659 Posts
Mosier
Addicted
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| Tue Aug 21, 12 2:01 pm |
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| Nak wrote: | | Blazeheliski wrote: |
I guess I am not picturing this correctly. If she is stuck on the piling unable to release or unhook because of the line tension - how could she get to the pigtails to cut them? What am I missing here? |
When I got to her, her bar was stuck on the piling, but she was not. How she and the bar got into that position, I don't know the details. She said she crashed right in front of the piling. She swam to the kite to try and release it. It was LE down and the wind was keeping it powered up but pointing down. It kept moving side to side, and I didn't want to approach too closely, afraid that it might launch and tangle in my kite. I was considering dragging her back and leaving the kite until later. While I did one tack to get back upwind of the kite, I saw the jetski coming. Woo Hoo! |
Ahhh - I get it now. Thanks for the description!
Just thinking out loud so that I can maybe learn something if something similar ever happens. So if someone with a knife got to the moving kite with a knife - cut 3 pigtails so that one line is flagging the kite? Was the kite moving wild? Would it have been hard to grab? Rather than cutting pigtails - could a person grab the kite and deflate the leading edge keeping the struts inflated - lay on top of it while bunching the struts together so that it no longer is catching wind? The current would now take you towards the piling and bar - organize the lines in a pile on top of the kite as you drift towards the bar and the piling? Get the bar loose and quickly wrap lines on bar the best you can. With struts as floatation start kicking and paddling towards Oregon side. Wind would probably help you some since it is usually NW towards Oregon shore?
I imagine waverunner just got to kite and deflated it to depower it? Bundled it up and collected the rest? |
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Weaz
Since 23 May 2012
360 Posts
Beaverton
Obsessed
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| Tue Aug 21, 12 2:05 pm |
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| nah it stopped spinning for the most part, she swam to it, deflated, untied, hopped on to the jetski. Her husband then recovered her bar/lines and Corey went back out to get him. |
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Johnb
Since 02 Aug 2010
494 Posts
Obsessed
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| Tue Aug 21, 12 2:08 pm |
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It was an interesting event for sure.
I the jetski owner and Corey who was on the jetski are not picky about beer. Cheers.
I got the jetski this winter because my Kiteboarding skills we progressing very very slowly and I was not that good predicting wind. I figured I could jetski on skunk days and have the ski as a safety this season. I though I would be the one getting rescued or using it to chase after my board.
Luckily Something clicked at the beginning of the season along with lots of time on the water I have managed to get some what proficient. My first time over to nuke alley I skied over and got handed the kite. It was so nice over there it motivated me to sack up and make the trip myself.
I will probably sell the ski this winter or next summer since I find it kind of boring. I will continue to drag it with me this season since I have it and it has come in handy a few times this season. |
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D-Krep It Kiter
Since 18 Jul 2011
417 Posts
Obsessed
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| Tue Aug 21, 12 2:16 pm |
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| Nak wrote: | | [I was considering dragging her back and leaving the kite until later. While I did one tack to get back upwind of the kite, I saw the jetski coming. Woo Hoo! |
Hey, we must have just missed each other... I was on a blue North Fuse... I checked on her, talked to her a little bit, and then headed to shore. About 5 minutes later they launched the ski. I was debating giving her a tow back too at first, but she was secure and calm, so I thought it better to wait and see if someone had a ski or boat to come and get her. It was a bit nightmarish to get close to... on the upwind side you're thinking lets not get stuck like she is, and on the downwind side that kite was just buzz-sawing away, I didn't want to be near it if it broke free.
Pretty simple situation as far as I understood it. She just got too close to the pilings, dropped her kite, and got stuck just like Nak says. Definitely no way a kiteboarder could have safely helped rescue the kite. I think the ships may have been a factor, as two went through at the same time and a couple of newer riders were caught a little off guard with having to stay on the Washington side as they went by. For what its worth, the wind was quite strong. I was fully powered on a 7m.
Hey, she did alright though. She knew the situation was beyond her ability to resolve, so she stayed calm, got to safety and waited for help. Nothing wrong with that! |
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abcde
Since 21 Aug 2012
3 Posts
Kook
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| Tue Aug 21, 12 4:15 pm photographers |
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| Hey crazy out there. So does anyone know who those 3 guys on the shore taking photographs were? TIA... |
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Nak
Since 19 May 2005
4304 Posts
Camas
Site Lackey
CGKA Member
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| Tue Aug 21, 12 4:32 pm |
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If there hadn't been a jetski or other help:
Cutting the pigtails would have allowed using the kite to self-rescue. Considering the distance, I don't think it would have been possible to get a deflated kite safely to the Oregon side. The going would be very slow, and I think you'd be in the shipping channel far too long. Even swimming would be risky IMHO.
Speaking of swimming, how many have tried swimming in your kiteboarding gear? Open water swimming is a lot tougher than most people realize. Know your limitations. This means knowing how far you can really swim in open water. If you haven't tried it recently, you don't know. I remember my first open water swim. I was in outstanding shape and had just finished a short 5 mile run. My buddies cabin cruiser was across a small bay and I was supposed to hitch back. I thought "the hell with that" dumped my shoes and shirt--thinking to pick them up by boat later--and started to swim. It didn't look that far and I was a good swimmer--I thought. Halfway through I knew I was in deep shit. I made it, barely. And I do mean barely. Another 100 yards and I wouldn't be here. That's when I started to practice swimming open water.
Don't try a swim without support you don't KNOW you can do. |
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quenyaistar
Since 21 Oct 2011
416 Posts
Cougar, WA
Obsessed
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| Tue Aug 21, 12 5:05 pm |
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[QUOTE] I think the ships may have been a factor, as two went through at the same time and a couple of newer riders were caught a little off guard with having to stay on the Washington side as they went by. For what its worth, the wind was quite strong. I was fully powered on a 7m.
I was over their upwind of the pilings and she was riding back and forth upwind of me in front of the pilings. It was really choppy, and I am a beginner, and I crashed and lost my board. I was really close to the pilings, so I decided to bodydrag over the piling and retrieve my board downwind, I was worried my kite could get caught on the pilings. I got my board, no problem, then started to head back to the OR side. I crashed again near the shipping channel, and saw a barge and a ship bearing down on me so I left my board, dragged back towards the WA side and waited for the ships to pass before retrieving my board. She was still flying upwind of the pilings. I drug back towards the OR side found my board, crossed the rest of the way back to the OR side and started walking up the beach. I wasnt having much luck making progress upwind. When I got back to where everybody sets up, someone pointed out that a kiter was stuck on the pilings.
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