Three-mile Launch?

ihsurf · Since 19 Nov 2011 17 Posts

I've never kited the gorge before and I'm basically a beginner. I've got probably 25-30 sessions on the ocean and lakes. I can stay upwind pretty well, but I could still use some work.

I'm living in La Grande now and want to kite this spring. I was thinking about 3 mile but I've heard that the launch at 3mile is sketchy because of the concrete and boat dock, and I would have to launch my own kite there unless there were other people.

What attracts me to 3mile is the flat-water. I really just want to work on my kite skills without worrying about chop and waves (have a bad knee).

Is it possible to self-launch there? I have anchor launched my kite on beaches before. Or is it pros only?

hamham · Since 07 May 2012 6 Posts Portland Kook

Feel free to join:
http://www.meetup.com/kitesurf

dcfordo · Since 19 May 2011 60 Posts The Dalles

Don't go to 3 Mile.

The main reason that the launch is bad is that the wind is really fluky. Definitely not a beginner launch even with help.

Once you got out, the protected marina might be nice and flat, but it isn't that wide. Plus, the wind is really up and down in there. You might have trouble staying up wind and it is rocky. So walking back up wouldn't be fun.

Bottom line; 3 Mile is a place for experts to go out in the channel, about a half mile up wind by the channel marker, to get some of the best swell in the gorge. I would say THE best swell.

dcfordo · Since 19 May 2011 60 Posts The Dalles

I didn't mean to be a buzz kill.

Just get out more until you are solid and make more kiting friends. Then definitely hit 3 Mile. Since the swell is so big, it is one of the smoothest spots to kite, which should be great for your knees.

skent · Sun Apr 07, 13 8:39 pm **3-mile**

Here is a little preview of what the launch looks like at 3-mile.

https://vimeo.com/47606558

This was on a 6/7m day. The nice thing about 3-mile is that you can play in the flat water and then shoot out into the Columbia for some nice swell. The swell in the video looks deceptively small but it wasn't. If you are kiting solo I know people who have self launched using an anchor connected to their hitch. The ground is extremely hard so good luck trying to screw anything into the ground. As a newbie it's probably ok to kite in the inlet/lagoon but think twice before shooting out into the Columbia unless you are kiting with someone or you are confident about your kiting skills. The wind coming through the inlet isn't clean so it could be a little challenging. All that being said, 3-mile is one of my favorite places to kite. PM me this summer and maybe we can do some kiting together out there.

ldhr · Since 21 Jul 2009 1489 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

the best places to self launch are grassy or sandy.....
3-mile is gravel and concrete.
you could attach an anchor to your car bumper and launch/land that way.... but you'd be doing it on gravel.
also - when landing.... the walk up to your anchor could be dangerous as it get's gusty on the shore.
also the footing is very slippery at the launch.
it's a tricky place even for people who are experts.

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

skent · Sun Apr 07, 13 10:02 pm

ihsurf · Since 19 Nov 2011 17 Posts

Yikes, sounds like I had better not push my luck. Thanks for the quick replies. Was hoping to get some kiting in this spring while I'm out east but I will be on the coast for the summer so looks like I'll just have to wait.

ldhr · Since 21 Jul 2009 1489 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

D-Krep, what method did you use for self launch?
Launching is usually the easy part - what about landing?

Weaz · Since 23 May 2012 360 Posts Beaverton Obsessed

I know some who drift launch there and self rescue to land.

Anthony · Since 07 Oct 2008 362 Posts Salem Obsessed **CGKA Member**

PM Sent

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

bdennis · Since 01 Jun 2007 50 Posts

Dude, 3 mile is awesome. I self launch there a bunch.
I put my car at the edge of the boat ramp and tie my bar to it.
Wind is good there when there is alot of E-W gradient and N-S gradient.
Arlington usually blows a little harder and (IMO) slightly steeper swells.
But 3-mile swells are pretty big and long and the place is awesome.
Arlington is a sketchy launch, 3mile is friendly.

ihsurf · Since 19 Nov 2011 17 Posts

JonMalmberg · Since 15 Aug 2011 340 Posts Obsessed

good god you guys are making this hard. Really simple... Go up to the very west end of the protected bay. There is a road that comes back towards it and basically dead ends in the water. Pump all your stuff up and proceed to drift launch into ankle deep water. You may have to hang onto your board and drift downwind a bit before you get enough to easily water launch. Bolt straight downwind and out to the river for happy times.

To a land, come into the bay and work yourself up wind until you can stand. This will not be an issue as your kite will be high and not affected by the rock jetty. Deploy leash and walk back up wind to where your car is parked. Pull kite in, pack up, and go home after a great session...