More launches needed.

wannabekiter · Since 14 May 2015 269 Posts Hood river Obsessed

I am sure I am not the only one who thinks we need more launches in the gorge.
The last month or so has been crazy. All the sites are now crowded. On sunday I saw over fifty people at one place that usually has twenty. I know its hard with the rail road tracks on both sides of the river but there must be something we as a group can do. Rowena seems like the most realistic place if only the launch area could be improved. Ideas? Please no just "DEAL WITH IT COMMENTS' Very Happy

stringy · Since 23 Jun 2006 1724 Posts vancouver XTreme Poster

with water level low, I see plenty of spots where its launchable.
stevenson always seems to be busy at the launch spot, but never that busy once on the water.
just west of stevenson is rock creek. its a huge sandbar begging to be used.
when I do upwinders to sauvies from frenchmans, I can see so much potential for kiting beaches on both sides of the river and the wind has been good in these spots.
whats wrong with the rowena launch? I kite there usually in the winter. seems legit to me.

macgruber · Since 06 Dec 2011 490 Posts SE PDX volcano Obsessed

Had a great 7m day Sunday at Rowena. Always a little sketched out by the slippery rocks and tales of injuries so I launch from the cove. I put the kite out of the wind next to the line of bushes and run my lines out then pull the kite into the water while I am standing in the water close to the point. In high water, you can do the same but pre-roll lines up at the parking. The wind shadow of the bushes keeps the kite from moving.

I was told that the Park was going to allow us to cut a trail to the end of that cove and remove the blackberries, but I haven't seen any movement on it. More round gravel west of the point could make it safer to launch and land kites while in the water. Someone told me that the existing gravel was brought in long ago for the windsurfers?

Pretty awesome Sunday to have tons of boosting room. Across the river and 2 miles west, I counted 30 kites in the air and the entire sandbar covered with kites. Super secret fight club...

bobgatpdx · Since 04 Oct 2008 218 Posts Stoked

More kite launches are badly needed. As a recent kiting convert, I really miss being able to access more spots on the river. The Event Site is such a shit show on weekends - I won't go near that mess. So lame that we can't even mention some of the good spots. Back in the day, CGWA helped turn Dougs Beach into a legit spot.
What's CGKA up to these days?
- Bob

boardrider · Since 05 Apr 2006 1034 Posts Ventura, CA XTreme Poster

Everyone clusters at HR sandbar

On Saturday, it was absolute craziness at the HR sandbar

Went to Viento - not one person out
Went to Butters - one person on the water
Went to Stevenson - only a handful of people out

There certainly are even more opportunities for places launch now that the water is low

Explore, and if you find something good - share. It's unlikely to get crowded.

bigjohn · Since 13 Mar 2012 663 Posts Addicted

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1803 Posts XTreme Poster

I'm not seeing the craziness that is often referenced. Mostly I see a lot of folks enjoying the bounty of fun that is the Hood River waterfront. Many of these folks do not yet have the local knowledge and know how of the local population. I see clean green lawn, big expanse of sand, bathrooms, ample parking with overflow, friendly site hosts, packed waterfront venues, and a thriving summer recreation spot.

Crazy? No. Crowded? Yes. 100 yards in any direction from the launch and everything opens up nicely.

If I were visiting from out of town with family this is where I would want to be. Our "low wind" 10m day is epic for those from many other kiting spots in the country. Post kiting food, brew, parks for kids, movies, kids day camps for water sports. The list goes on.

I'm all for more access. But, I just don't see the "crazy." I think we run the risk of limiting the access that we have, devalue the work of the CGKA, CGWA, The Port, and several volunteers if we, in my mind, confuse crowded with crazy.

Eric
Hood River

boardrider · Since 05 Apr 2006 1034 Posts Ventura, CA XTreme Poster

Semantics

I don't usually have a problem with the number of people, and I love hanging out in HR.

With newbs learning, people throwing tricks in shallow water, people launching and landing, families wading and swimming, observers taking pics, dogs playing, people flying trainer kites and jet skis zipping around, the HR sandbar can get a little " crowded " at times.

bigjohn · Since 13 Mar 2012 663 Posts Addicted

pollywog · Since 07 Aug 2009 289 Posts Obsessed

I think what people want is easy convenient launches. Lots of beach, no obstacles, consistent wind and places where everyone wants to be cuz it's cool and there is safety in numbers. HR is convenient so that's where people go. There are lots of launches but they aren't convenient. All you need is a kite buddy with an adventurous spirit and you'll find great launches from Astoria well into the eastern desert. Sounds like it's time for exploration....

Just my perspective....

Johnb · Since 02 Aug 2010 494 Posts Obsessed

Sella · Tue Aug 09, 16 11:22 am

All spot on input.

Congestion is beginner based. If you're a beginner you're going to ride Hood River so to keep it fun take your lessons in the Fall or Spring. Hone your upwind and self launch skills in May/June so you can ride wherever you want July/ August and beat the crowds. If you have buddy support no other part of the globe has it as good as we do when it comes to inland kiting options.

The average river width is 1 mile, peaking to 3 miles and 75 miles make up the National Scenic Area. There's enough room for kiting to significantly grow and since only 3 of the 8 recognized launches (not counting secret spots) are used consistently there is no need to pump funds and effort into finding new launches.

The CGKA and Port need to continually communicate how to best manage new kiters who will always ride from the Sandbar. HR has everything a family wants to enjoy so no other launch can compete. Beginners, thankfully, will always be a part of the mix. Maybe in the future buoys designate a teaching area and launch and landing zones like the Event Site grass during spring/fall to spread the beginners further out? Difficult when the wind is pushing them towards the Sandbar but those are the discussions taking place. CGKA is small, donor time, unlike the more funded CGWA so don't expect a lot out of action from them. Ideally for the future growth they should contemplate a merger.

I've kited the ES/Sandbar practically daily for a decade and it never feels chaotic and always a great vibe. So many good people helping and the congestion is not so much kite students as it is newly graduated kiters that hover. If they could ride away from the Sandbar and quit mowing the lawn by the shoreline it would be ideal but they are still learning to ride upwind so they all end up bunched together. They also cannot fly blind yet so it's a place you don't want to be around if the wind is dirty. It can be stressful which is why the "shit show" phrase surfaces every year about this time. The good news is the first minute of your HR session threading the needle can be the trickiest and then it's wide open as far as you can see....even in July. The bad news is if you can only ride in that 100 yard square area.....it's about the worst place to push through your learning curve. Go to Jones and work it out.

ldhr · Since 21 Jul 2009 1471 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

It would be nice to have a legit user friendly launch in the Rowena - Doug's corridor.

If any of you are interested in helping out by volunteering your time to work on the Rowena park access - pm me and I'll make sure you get invited to the next CGKA meeting.

It was a work in progress but the manager of the park retired and the new guy was not easy to work with. That was a couple of years ago - the time may be ripe.

One issue at Rowena is that it's a designated native American historical site. For any further improvements like dumping pea gravel on the beach - an archaeology inspection must first take place and the rumor is that there's a multi-year waiting list for the state inspector. Just a rumor and I don't know if it's true.

Anyway - that's the type of issues a volunteer needs to work thru.

bobgatpdx · Since 04 Oct 2008 218 Posts Stoked

Sella · Tue Aug 09, 16 2:17 pm

ldhr · Since 21 Jul 2009 1471 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

Bob,
Regarding Viento.
First - it's mostly a place to launch for a downwinder to the Event Site.
It's a gusty section of the river with dirty wind and not that great of a place to kite at the beach.
Quite often there will be other kiters there to help launch your kite.
Wear booties!
Most people do it with the kiter standing in chest deep water and the person holding the kite on the beach. You have to go out to chest deep water to get away from the trees on the beach.
If you want to self launch it's sketchy because the beach is full of rocks that will snag your lines. And slippery rocks. Did i mention booties?
I usually wade out into waist deep water and drift launch.
There is also a log on the beach that you can tie a strap to and walk your kite out onto the water.

unbob · Since 31 Aug 2008 260 Posts 'da Gorge/LaV Obsessed