CGKA: Event Site Re-opened July 3 -5

cgka · Since 18 Jul 2006 278 Posts Obsessed

Launching and landing will re-open July 3-5 and then close July 6 for the remainder of the summer. Thank you for your cooperation.

Starting Monday, June 17th kite launching and landing will no longer be permissible from the Event Site grass.

Kiteboarders are now required to launch and land from the Sandbar, Spit, or Marina. Pump and dry is allowed in the kiteboarding area as designated by the rope boundary line. Launching and landing will re-open July 3-5 and then close July 6 for the remainder of the summer. Thank you for your cooperation.

The Event Site will be reopened to kiteboard landing and launching on July 3-5, as spit access is closed to the public and the water level is raised by the Corps of Engineers as a fire-prevention measure to accommodate Hood River’s annual fireworks show.

The closure will remain in effect through the summer and will revert back to being open for kiteboard landing and launching on Sept. 15.

dangler · Since 26 Feb 2006 1780 Posts WINDY SPOTS XTreme Poster

ShiverMeTimbers · Since 26 Feb 2013 381 Posts Gig Harbor Obsessed

an explanation would be nice.

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1866 Posts XTreme Poster

I am not an office holder of CGKA or CGWA or The Port, so this is my opinion having attended and spoken at several Port meetings in the past.

This is a process. It takes time, and a good deal of patience. The launch/land area is now 3x as big as it was 2 years ago, the the launch/land summer dates are now doubled as well--pretty nice!

In the mean time buy an Event Site pass and be sure to check the "Kiter" box on the forms. Be very cool to windsurfing folks, especially the kids who are learning. Give them as much space as you can. When windsurfers wash up on the sand bar be friendly. They don't want to be there; they end up there because they can't stay up wind yet. When kiters are cool to windsurfers, especially the kids, the parents sing our praises, which gets back to The Port, which creates a very positive vibe and our access continues to improve. When you see a sailor on the water who looks to be in a jam stop and ask if they need help just like you would any other waterman.

My two cents

Eric

cgka · Since 18 Jul 2006 278 Posts Obsessed

Sorry for the lack of explanation. Eric is spot on with his comments.

Campbell · Since 07 Sep 2008 409 Posts Camas, WA Obsessed

I'm a kiter from the PDX area and the event site is an attractive place to kite because you can bring your family, they can hang on the grass and enjoy a comfortable, not too windy spot and we can get our kite fix.

It's typically a zoo in the summer w/ all of the tourists and kiting in between the hundreds of kites on the water isn't my first choice but I go there anyway because it's convenient. Having to hike your shit out to the sandbar because the port hasn't figured out that kiters need more space makes me want to boycott the place altogether and kite at Stevenson, Jones Beach or one of the other many launches in the gorge that are just as close and not as busy.

Maybe they assume that people from Portland will just keep showing up, but they should be educated on the fact that we have options, and at least for me, Hood River is becoming a less and less frequent one. Kiting is here to stay, windsurfers require about 10% of the available space and the port's reticence to figure it out and make changes in a timely fashion has finally become unacceptable, at least in my mind.

sirmichaelo · Since 26 Mar 2010 353 Posts Maui Obsessed

Are you serious dude?

You're so spoiled. The sandbar used to be a mere fraction of what it is today before 'the flood' that changed everything years ago.

Now you need more space? Ready to boycott? Crazy.

The only way to kite was driving past the gas station. The Event Site wasn't even close to an option.

Next time you're at the sandbar take a nice long look at that pylon that is now buried in the sandbar. That used to be downstream of it. We used to ride between it and the sandbar. You could ride straight into the channel next to the pier.

Just a reminder to appreciate what you have. No need to beg (or boycott) for more. Know your roots.

M.

Campbell · Since 07 Sep 2008 409 Posts Camas, WA Obsessed

And my grandpa used to walk to school six miles in his underwear (he was a little slow). Now we give him big boy pants.

That's fine that you're happy with what you've got. My point is that the space on the grass is not enough given demand in the summer and that launching/landing from the grass has proven to work over the last couple years and should be permanently approved.

You want to be stoked with the "pump/dry" area they've created while the windsurfers rig and go right next to you? Good for you. I'll be kiting elsewhere and saving you a $50 parking spot. Just a difference of opinion.

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1866 Posts XTreme Poster

I think some folks being pretty irritated, and others a bit more patient is all part of the process. People boycotting also sends a message to the relevant organizations. Provided everyone keeps a level head and shows respect for all users I think we will see increases in both kite area, and launch dates. If everyone were patient, or conversly everyone boycotting, I think this would all take a lot longer, if ever...

It's windy as I type this...

Eric

Mark · Sun Jun 16, 13 12:04 pm

You want to help? Send your letters and calls to the Port of Hood river. Tell them (nicely) why you want to come spend your money ~or~ why you wont spend your money at the eventsite. The more input they get the easier it is for the hard working CGKA to help you.....

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1866 Posts XTreme Poster

^^^
!

hilton · Since 15 Aug 2008 803 Posts Opinionated

I wish more people would boycott Hood River and The Event Site in June, July and August. It's already getting too crowded at the beach, on the water, and downtown.

I would also like to encourage people to join and support the CGKA so they can continue to develop new launch sites and work on improving existing sites to make them more kite friendly.

Liz · Since 17 Jun 2013 2 Posts New Member

Okay, I’ve hesitated diving into these discussions, but just need to chime in this time. The Port supports kiteboarding and windsurfing at the Event Site and realizes the importance of continued access there for both sports. But it comes down to safety for all users. No one can deny the Event Site is a busy place during the summer. The concern is that one serious accident could close down kite access for good. The agreement made between the Port, CGKA, and CGWA is that when the sandbar is here for the season, launching and landing ends on the grass. Sharing the beach with the windsurfing crowd is part of the equation, but safety and liability (unfortunately) trumps all.

Jonpnw · Mon Jun 17, 13 11:19 am **Go Sandbar style**

Thank you Liz for the post. I am thankful for the time we had to land & launch from the Event Site. The sand bar is present so lets go out there! One bad accident with a spectator could shut down the whole beach.

Be Safe

Pepi · Mon Jun 17, 13 11:59 am

To add confirmation to Liz's comments, yes, the decision is a joint decision, not solely made by the Port.

The Port relies on a solid relationship with the Columbia Gorge Kiteboarding Association, the Columbia Gorge Windsurfing Association and via it's Waterfront Recreation Advisory Committee.
Each of these organizations consists of LOCAL kiteboarders, Windsurfers, SUPers and boaters who all have one goal in mind of keeping access open to all users at all recreation sites along the Port Properties.

The temporary Kite Launch/Land Access via the Event Site is a temporary safety concession that the CGKA and the Port negotiated in order to allow all kiters safe access to the Columbia River during times of higher water levels that leave the Sandbar under water or too small to launch from.

It should always be remembered that the Event Site is only an Intermediate to Advanced kite launch and has very limited spacing during the peak summer season.
Think about how overcrowded it gets just trying to pump up a kite during peak season (and that doesn't even consider the additional SUPers, windsurf schools, and spectator/tourists).

If you truly have a care about making changes or having an influence in the decision making process, write a letter (an intelligent well written letter) to the Port thanking them for their support of recreational access and asking them for whatever improvments you think are meritable. Attend a Port public/community meeting in which these topics are discussed, or at the very least support your local volunteer kiteboarding association who negotiates these privileges for the sport.

Thank you to Eric and Mikey for the relevant and very constructive replies to this post.
Thank you very much to Liz from the Port, who some of you need to understand has been a very constructive advocate for keeping access to the Port properties fair and balanced. Their decisions are based on public feedback and viewing user numbers/data at each recreation location (*buying annual passes and indicating you are a kiter boosts data numbers for kiters).

ridethewave · Since 01 Oct 2012 48 Posts

It seems like I remember a park being dedicated specifically to only windsurfers just a few years ago, and just a few hundred yards west of the Event Site. Plenty of kid friendly/family friendly ammenities and parking. Why would any windsurfer bother with the Event Site and all the "dangle surfers" that it attracts? not to mention the crappy gusty wind?

The Event Site ought to be either 100% mixed use all the time, or strictly kiting all the time. The war is over and kiting won, the windsurfers need to move on. There are sooo many strictly windsurfing launches in the gorge. It may be painful for a handful of die hard Event Site stragglers to drive to Luhr Jensen but at the benefit of the greater good.

The Event Site will be kite only, all season long, it's an eventuality. Support CGKA, help them keep pushing the papers and cutting through red tape.

KCM · Since 30 Jun 2013 53 Posts Woodland WA.

Checking it out