DO NOT LAUNCH AT THE EVENT SITE!!!!!!

bandito · Since 07 May 2005 178 Posts Photographer

The Port does not own the sand bar and cannot stop you from launching and landing on the sand bar. If you can walk, jump, swim or boat to the spit you can kite there all you want. If the event site is open for public use then you can use it to access the spit. We now have another access point if the port closes down the kiter's parking area we can all just more over to the event site and get to it from there.
Bandito

sherrybohn · Since 16 Jun 2006 71 Posts

I don't think that this particular thread is about launching, landing, and/or using the sandbar. It is about playing by the rules for the Event Site....not launching or landing while this access issue is resolved.

In regards to ownership....The port is having on-going discussings with the Oregon Division of State Lands to determine just who "owns" most of the delta. From initial discussions it appears that the port owns about 1/3 and DSL owns 2/3 with the port owning the access points. They (DSL) is looking for the community to come together to self police activities on the delta. That is why the port's Waterfront Recreation Committee asked CGWA and CGKA to work together to come up with a proposal for signed and specified areas of use for this season so that ALL users can have equal but "safe" access to the river.

The Event Site is open for public use but is designated No Kiteboarding....you can park there and walk, swim to the sandbar.

To the best my knowledge the port does NOT have any plans to close access to the sandbar via "Kite Beach."

bandito · Since 07 May 2005 178 Posts Photographer

"To the best my knowledge the port does NOT have any plans to close access to the sandbar via "Kite Beach."

I wasn't trying to say that the port has any intention of shutting down access to "Kite Beach", but instead we now have another access point to use to get to the spit. This takes some or most of the power away from the port now that they don't have an easy way to "control" the kiters. Better for us and not so good for the port!
Bandito

sherrybohn · Since 16 Jun 2006 71 Posts

[This takes some or most of the power away from the port now that they don't have an easy way to "control" the kiters. Better for us and not so good for the port! quote]

I believe that "the port" asked the CGWA and CGKA to come up with a proposed "solution" inorder for everyone to access the sandbar safely. Anyone/everyone is welcome to pay to park (once the season starts) at the Event Site. First come, first parking spaces but you might want to see the water level presentation tomorrow night at the port meeting....we maybe swimming to the sandbar. And you may want to see what the proposed access plan involves with regards to "no launch/landing areas and a no "wake" zone for all users. Keeping in mind that these are being suggested by fellow kiteboarders and windsurfers.

I'd love to discuss how/why you feel/think the port is trying to "control" kiters. Feel free to PM if you 'd like.

bandito · Since 07 May 2005 178 Posts Photographer

The "control" came from the fact the if the port closed the kite beach access point there was no easy way to get to the spit. Now if they lock the gate we just walk there from the event site. No more "control".
Bandito

sherrybohn · Since 16 Jun 2006 71 Posts

Ok I can see that but..... why would we want to limit access via Kite Beach?

It is in the process of being zoned Recreation/Commercial.

We "attempt" to maintain the road and parking lot as best we can with the environmental and financial impacts imposed.

Most, if not all, of the commission recognize the economic drivers that the kite boarders, kite schools and kite industry brings to the area

And....the Event Site is crowded most days during the summer and will be especially impacted with regards to launching this year.

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1861 Posts XTreme Poster

Hi Sherry,

Thanks for taking the time to read and respond on NWKite. I appreciate your on-going efforts to find realistic solutions when faced with seemingly opposing viewpoints.

I think you will find that 95% of the kiters and windsurfers appreciate your efforts 95% of the time. That's an A in my book.

Regards,
Eric

Hood River:
Kiter/Windsurfer/Skimboarder/Swimmer/Dog Walker/Kayaker/Father of Sand Loving Kids

bandito · Since 07 May 2005 178 Posts Photographer

Anytime an "Authority" states that you can do something here, but you can't do it there, then they are in "control". Not having options is a bad place to be...now we have options!
Bandito

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1861 Posts XTreme Poster

I am 100% with you , or anyone else, on having options--good point! I also feel that working with the Port in any and every way we can will give us more options yet.

Starting sometime around April 15th the water is going to get a lot higher.

Sherry kites.

Regards,
Eric

bandito · Since 07 May 2005 178 Posts Photographer

I am also 100% with the Port. Only now 50% kite beach, 50% event site. Not all my eggs are in one basket.
Bandito

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

cgka · Since 18 Jul 2006 278 Posts Obsessed

Thanks Pepi for the prompt! I have been waiting for our two groups to work out all of the details of what we plan to present to the Port - then I was going to post it. The plan in the works is to make the best attempt to ensure safety for kiteboarders, windsurfers and other pedestrians this summer and as long as we have this tremendous gift of sand. BUT, as Bandito and others write on this post PLEASE DO NOT LAUNCH/LAND, PUMP YOUR KITE or RIG YOUR LINES on the grass at the Event Site - it is not allowed PERIOD - and if you do it will HEAVILY NEGATIVELY impact kiteboarding in the eyes of the Port of Hood River - who owns the Event Site. During the summer during peak season, the area will become VERY congested, so we are going to place buoys that mark where kiteboarding is allowed and NOT allowed. There will be signage at all locations that labels it out for all users. With this gift of sand, the Port is being very cool in acknowledging that it is a much smaller walk to the best place to launch your kite on the sandbar from the event site parking lot instead of the spit - lets not loose this privilege! If we are REALLY lucky, Michael and Sherry from the Port will convince the Corps of Engineers to significantly raise the water level of the Columbia River during this spring peak melt/run off for a few days and then release it fast to take away some of the wood on the northern end of the sand Smile

Cheers,

Jim Grady Co-Spokesperson CGKA

tstansbury · Since 06 Jun 2006 649 Posts Rowena and P.C Addicted

buoys? So the discusion is about having areas in the water that are no kiteing? Or just areas on land that are no kiteing?

J.P. · Since 10 Mar 2005 638 Posts Addicted

forrest · Tue Mar 20, 07 7:51 am

trevorsmith · Since 25 Apr 2005 501 Posts PDX Addicted

Public Ownership of Submerged and Submersible Land
http://www.oregon.gov/DSL/NAV/whoownsthewaterways.shtml

This is more of a question, than to say we should start doing it...

Just curious, if people are launching below the high water mark..how can the Port or anyone else have anything to say about it. If Kiter and Launcher are in the water or below high water mark. This is actually deemed "Public" land.

Just as if you live on a river, someone with a boat, can just come by and hang out on your waterfront as long as they are below high water mark. Nothing you can do.

Again this is more of a question, than to say we should start doing it.

tekko · Since 20 Feb 2006 376 Posts White Salmon Liquid Force

The windsurfers locally achieved what they did by organizing and working together in #'s of people, organized under an association, with a leader who can speak on behalf of the group.

When the water was high last year there was a call to action to motivate the reorganization of the CGKA. When the water went down.. so did the follow through of said association.

I was at the last meeting and when the port asked to hear form the kiteboarding association there was a moment of confusion.. as there are 2 speakers for the group.. and the group hadn't met to share ideas that the group can get behind and support in aving a chosen leader speak for them.

I was right up front and coupld see the frustration in Sherry's eyes due to the simple fact that last year at this time they specifically requested to have 1 speaker or go to person to communicate to the port for the group.. and yet a year later it looked like, even with the formation of the group, we did not have a clear speaker to represent the group. Without being able to even satisfy that one request, that was made directly from the port, giving us instructions on how to effectively communicate with them, we look like a bunch of monkeys just yapping.

No offense to Jim or Cory... both could and should do a good job.. but we need to have CGKA group meetings prior to the port meetings to share ideas and plans that 1 chosen speaker can present on our behalf.

Without proactive motivation and organization from everyone reading on here, getting together to move forward common ideas, we will never have a voice for change in this community. Instead, we will all just type our complaints and grievances here for each other to read... never getting any useful ideas outside of our tiny little group of local riders.

It is time fo the CGKA voted leaders to step up and lead... or step aside and find someone else to lead.

I know that the KA and WA's are working together on a plan, but in the meantime people are out riding then coming home to share ideas here on NWkite... BUT NWkite is not the CGKA.

The windsurfers worked hard to create the nice places they have. This hard work involved bringing together the masses to stand behind common ideas and working in force for change. Their association is not only made up of local members, but they have reached out to the greater community that uses the Gorge , and therefore have members all over.... representing the very people we have noted who pack the event site in the summer.

Argueing on here will never solve the issues. Most of the offenders probably are the ones who are not even on this forum.

We need to step out of our NWKite comfort zone and gather face to face to share thoughts/ideas, and then move forward with plans.. because as the port has noted on many many occasions, they have no interest in hearing from a handful of kiters representing only themselves.