Be safe out there

Jonpnw · Thu Jan 21, 16 2:40 pm **Be safe out there**

Hope everyone is safe.

Foil Army ?

Kraemer · Since 24 Apr 2006 1735 Posts Sky Pilot Unicorn Captain

I just heard they were waving their arms frantically for help-- this will probably be on the news

Jonpnw · Thu Jan 21, 16 3:22 pm **Happy Ending**

Fatigued ,

Boat Rescue ,

Story Coming .

Kraemer · Since 24 Apr 2006 1735 Posts Sky Pilot Unicorn Captain

Looks like it was a rescue-- however rescue wasn't needed or requested.

Jonpnw · Thu Jan 21, 16 4:11 pm **News Worthy**

Sounds like an interview is needed Very Happy

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4907 Posts Portland Unstrapped

No man left behind!!!

Probably needed a red bull or something

kss · Since 24 Apr 2006 613 Posts pdx Addicted

Or a coconut water! Wink

stringy · Since 23 Jun 2006 1724 Posts vancouver XTreme Poster

ok here's todays events. there were six of us that hit the airport today (see I said the foil army is growing) all on foils. 8m-12m kites, 4 out of six on my foils. great to watch tak pushing his trick arsenal on a foil with his high speed ollie jumps and explosions on landing, todd starting to get the hang of the stringy wings, Gman keeping his ten year monthly streak alive, we were all having a great time. wind was pretty good and it felt pretty warm at 52 degrees. after a good hour or so, I contemplated coming in but was having too much fun. on one outward reach toward washington side of the river, I suckered G man over to no man's land. we find the wind can be extremely light over in front of wintler. I'm on my 9m strutless which doesn't take but a fly fart to keep it in the air, and gman on his 8m rpm. he followed me and didn't have the same success getting out of the hole. his kite dropped I went back to oregon side of river. I watch tak try to help him out with no luck. I decide since I suckered him over there, I should at least try and help him relaunch his kite. my actions failed and in the process I dropped my kite. we both floated for probably 15-30 minutes, gman foating over to the marina just west of wintler. he got on the dock no problem. At that point I called it and started rolling up my lines. about halfway done rolling my lines, I see flashing lights just over my shoulder and it was the harbor patrol coming to see if we needed assistance. I took them up on their offer for a ride back. they helped me on board and I told them gman needs a ride too. the rescue team was real professional and friendly. I asked if they had a 911 phone call and they said no they were watching us out their window and when the kites went down they went into action. there was another rescue boat right behind them so it's possible they were responding to a 911 call. I could see the fire truck and ambulance from over by the boat launch on oregon side of the river. dam good response team showed up. we told them we were fine and just had an issue with the lighter winds on the washington side of the river. We were actually never in distress as we all were wearing drysuits and all the necessary layers and coverings. I was told by kraemer that there was a 911 call dispatching the response teams. they said one kiter was waving his arms so they figured he was in distress. I fly strutless kites and in lighter winds if they do hit the water the canopy can be challenging to fill with wind especially if there isn't much wind. what I tend to do when this happens is sit on my foil board and paddle with my hands to go backwards this helps filling the kite with air by tensioning the lines. I suppose this might look like waving, not sure....
anyhow Gman says its my fault for suckering him over to washington no wind zone. I say its his fault for having me go over to help him out
all worked out got a sweet ride on the fireboat, nice balmy temps to walk of shame back to our cars. crazy how different the wind can be on one side of the river

Windian · Since 28 Apr 2008 881 Posts Newport, OR NEWPORT OG

I have had similar experiences at the coast when a tourist will call 911 when they see a kiteboarder out in the water with a downed kite. Fire Dept and Police will show up and are all super disappointed when you inform them that all is well and fine. They dearly want to haul you to the hospital to treat a rescued victim for hypothermia as it looks great when reported in the local newspaper.

Crying or Very sad

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4907 Posts Portland Unstrapped

15 minutes of trying to re-launch and then time to throw in the towel, wrap the shit up and swim to the closest shore

once actively swimming not bad - but floating around with 7mil boots, 3mil gloves drysuit and one layer of medium fleece pretty chilly after 15 and 20 min

Nice to have the crew checking on you (joining your fate less cool)

Dern · Since 11 Jul 2010 544 Posts Vancouver, WA Addicted

Good to know everyone made it back in safe and sound.

Sasquatch · Since 09 Mar 2005 2057 Posts PNW Bigfoot

TAK · Since 04 Aug 2009 94 Posts

I've never been picked up by a fire boat haha

Mark · Fri Jan 22, 16 10:26 am

fisherman · Since 06 Aug 2007 113 Posts Stoked

It seems my tax money saved your asses. You should be financially responsible for this childish decision to go kite boarding on the mighty Columbia in the middle of January. What a crazy and irresponsible bunch of grown up men. I don't even go fishing these days.

ericvs · Since 05 Jul 2008 133 Posts Stoked

Freeride Kiter · Since 08 Jul 2011 698 Posts Alaska / PNW / Baja Instructor

It seems you aren't happy and need a hug.