Rowena Accident

tomeshbaugh1 · Since 08 Sep 2012 6 Posts Kook

Kevin, a Gresham firefighter, was dragged some distance across the rocks at Rowena this afternoon while attempting a self-launch. Bad scene and bad to witness. Plenty of broken bones...arm, shoulder, foot and who knows. Couple of us windsurfers did what we could til the EMTs arrived and took him to Hr.

tom e

tomeshbaugh1 · Since 08 Sep 2012 6 Posts Kook

My apologies...think i'm in shock as he was...his name is Lloyd, not Kevin.

A.K. · Since 01 Jul 2006 190 Posts Stoked

Damn... Sending wishes for a full recovery.

The list of traumatic injuries sound eerily similar to last years accident at the same location.....

These accidents are reinforcing the fact that there is no margin for even the slightest equipment snafu at Rowena....

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

Think that was secret spot last year

Sending Positive healing vibes

- Rowena can have some swirling gusty wind, combined with the ridiculous rock obstacle launch can see even accomplished riders having issues

Sella · Mon Mar 18, 13 6:22 pm

Last years accident was at Secret Spot....slightly East of Rowena. Both spots are more advanced launches. Rowena has some big rocks and they get really slippery.

Bummer news and hoping Lloyd has a quick recovery and he is not as banged up as more details emerge.

WindSki · Since 14 Dec 2012 411 Posts Portland Obsessed

I hope Lloyd is going well, my thoughts are with him. As an old pole bender being transformed into a tea bagger I defiantly take notice to these events. I would like to say thank you for sharing these stories for it remind everyone, especially myself about the dangers of this sport.

I fully believe this sport is safe but it’s like rock climbing and small private airplane flying, most errors are pilot mistakes and it’s always good to review safety, always good to be reminded and ALWAYS follow / try to follow the rules.

I also would like to thank THE DANGLER; you don’t know me but did provide a stern warning about my sloppy kite launch skills at Stevenson last year.  Thank you and it was taken aboard.

To everyone, please keep posting these stories, these reminder are a must. Our sport is way behind in safety awareness and follow up !

Bettyboarder · Mon Mar 18, 13 7:32 pm

Oh man I hope he's ok he's a super nice guy. If any hears any updates keep us posted

Blazeheliski · Since 30 Mar 2011 659 Posts Mosier Addicted

I am so sorry to hear about this. I hope he heals quickly.

I have kited Rowena a few times with someone to launch me. I have gone there a few times and didn't kite because I was the only person there, and I couldn't see a good way to self launch. I thought about standing in the water with the kite on the gravel patch - but I was worried about one of the lines getting caught on the many jagged rocks. I thought about attaching the tow chain I have to the fence post - but the way the wind was blowing and the proximity to the bushes made me stop. I thought about drift launching - but the current looked pretty strong that day. It all looks pretty sketchy there for self launch. Am I missing something?

Johnb · Since 02 Aug 2010 494 Posts Obsessed

I told a firefighter at my gym about the accident and he said he knows Lloyd and called him immediately but he didn't answer. I will check with my buddy Wednesday and see if he knows Lloyds condition.

D-Krep It Kiter · Since 18 Jul 2011 417 Posts Obsessed

Totally sucks... here's hoping for a speedy recovery for Lloyd. Tom, thanks to you and the other windsurfers that came to his aid. Seeing an accident like that can be quite a shock, but it sounds like you handled it really well. John, let us know if you hear anything, and maybe see if you can pass on our best wishes for Lloyd. Its always bothersome to hear of someone getting really messed up like this when all they were trying to do was get in a fun kiting sesh.

Ryan · Since 14 Jul 2005 537 Posts Oregon Addicted

Thanks for the post. I hope Lloyds injuries are not as bad as it sounds.

Rowena is a tricky place and one I think needs more improvements so us kiters can access that segment of the river with a bit more ease.

When I launch there I put my kite in the far NE corner of the park right by the water and the small 'bay'. That way if things go sideways its a short drag to the water which limits the exposure.

heal up quick Lloyd??

Blazeheliski · Since 30 Mar 2011 659 Posts Mosier Addicted

rePete · Since 18 Dec 2007 215 Posts Mosier, Oregon Stoked

Sorry to hear of your accident Lloyd. As a retired firefighter I will pray for your fast and full recovery. I kite Rowena often. If you are going to self launch there I'd do it in the cove to the east. Water is low right now with a nice beach to set up on. I sit my kite on the waters edge and lay out lines behind the kite and walk the bar out to the point. The kite will pull out in the water and pendulum downwind for an easy controlled launch. If something goes wrong it's all water downwind and usually shallow enough to stand a long way out. Soon the water should start getting higher and this nice beach will disappear until late June. I still self launch down there but pre rig lines to kite, set kite up against the bushes and do the same procedure as above. The kite will sit up against the bushes since there is a good wind block there. I don't recommend self launches but if you kite all year it becomes a necessity to get the last guy out sometimes. I hope this helps.

Blazeheliski · Since 30 Mar 2011 659 Posts Mosier Addicted

jblum · Since 13 Jul 2008 306 Posts The Gorge Obsessed

Sorry to hear about the accident. Those rocks along the shore there are slippery, unforgiving and cumbersome, even with a perfect launch. Heal quickly.

As far as launching options, I've often used the small trees/ rocks along the shore to do a teathered launch there. I know many folks think this is super dangerous and ill-advised, but I've never had a problem with it. As long as you have a clear understanding of how it works, and make sure you start with your kite upwind of the wind window and slowly walk downwind until the kite is ready to launch, its pretty fool proof.... just waiting for the fools to prove me wrong.

If you don't know, have a friend launch you or go to the sandbar where you won't get annihilated (or only less so) if you mess it up...

Blazeheliski · Since 30 Mar 2011 659 Posts Mosier Addicted

That makes sense for a tethered launch. My kite is pretty stable on a tethered launch with my tow strap attached to a fixed object. I was kinda curious about those steel cables that are attached to the rocks? Are they attached very strong to the rocks?

Sella · Tue Mar 19, 13 1:01 pm