Mucho Drama at the green buoy!

moondog · Tue Aug 04, 15 3:40 pm **Mucho Drama at the green buoy!**

Kiter in the water, kite down, no problema, but wait, here comes a barge right at him. My friend Jim keeps his kite in the air so the barge doesn't hit him. The barge turns to miss him but there were so many kites the barge has only one option, STOP! They stop pretty well into the wind and I believe he went into reverse so the current didn't take him into the kiter. Anyway, his board is in my hands in White Salmon, the kite went to he event site and I'm not sure where he ended up. If you would like your board back call me at 509-637-6043. Glad for the happy ending!

dwaynej · Since 09 Sep 2013 207 Posts Stoked **CGKA Member**

Heard the horn and saw the barge stop. Massive thrust from the tug to get moving again. Impressive save.

moondog · Tue Aug 04, 15 7:56 pm

Just talked to the kiter, he swam to the Hook after ditching his gear.

moondog · Wed Aug 05, 15 6:13 am

I talked to a barge Captain a few years ago. I asked him where the most stressful stretches of the river were. He said the corridor was number one with all the water sports and a very narrow section on the snake river in Idaho.

D · Since 18 Apr 2015 56 Posts Hood River **CGKA Member**

I saw that go down from the beach. Thought the barge operator did a killer job of managing the situation. Glad everyone made it out safely.

jaksavage · Since 02 Dec 2009 216 Posts hood river Stoked

I made contact with the swimmer and then after the barge was clear dragged him most of the way to the Hook. He still had a good swim to get to land.

I think his chicken loop detached and he jetisoned when he saw the barge.

My second pick up in ten days.