Slingshot Bridge of the Gods Kiteboarding Festival

dsmith · Since 19 Apr 2008 23 Posts Hood River Â

NEWS RELEASE
Date: June 7, 2008
Release Date: Immediately
Contact: Dave Smith, 541-490-0451
Gary Reed, 541-490-6280
Steve Fisher, 503-317-4979

Slingshot Bridge of the Gods Kiteboarding Festival

Kiteboarders from across the nation will converge on the Columbia River Gorge on July 25th, 2008, to compete in the nation’s longest running kiteboarding contest. “The Slingshot Bridge of the Gods Kiteboarding Festival has historically been a launching pad for amateur kiteboarders attempting to become professional’s” says race director Gary Reed. The bracket-style contest features four categories of riders – Men’s Open, Women’s Open, Master’s and Junior’s. Contestants will attempt to impress the judges with their freestyle maneuvers that will be judged on difficulty, style, height and overall impression.
This year’s festival will include a Stand-Up-Paddleboard relay race, amateur photography and videography contest and other festival day activities. Local restaurants will host a food court and a beer garden will be hosted by Walking Man Brewery. Puget Sound Kiteboarding Association will be serving breakfast Saturday morning.
The steep riverbanks make East Point Kite Beach a natural grandstand for viewing the event. “Kiteboarding is an extreme sport that is equally exciting to watch as it is to perform,” says Dave Smith, one of three event coordinators this year. So bring the kids and lawn chairs and enjoy the fun at The 2008 Bridge of the Gods Kiteboarding Festival. Activities start at 10:00 on Saturday July 25th with Sunday being an alternate day in case of weather. The Slingshot Bridge of the Gods Kiteboarding Festival Sponsors include: Slingshot Sports, Walking Man Brewing, the Port of Skamania, The City of Stevenson, Dakine, NWKite.com, IKitesurf.com, the Columbia Gorge Kiteboarding association and the Puget Sound Kiteboarding Association. For more info, visit the website at www.dabridge.us .

carolb · Mon Jun 09, 08 7:08 am **Bridge of the Tiki Gods Party**

All competitors and guests of the Bridge of the Gods Kiteboarding Competition are invited to attend the 2nd annual Bridge of the Tiki Gods Party following Friday's kiting photo session in Stevenson. The Tiki Gods are responsible for supplying wind at the event on Saturday so we'll be rallying to get their support!

Party Plans:

Rock Star Jam Session. Bring your equipment and musical talent and we’ll have a jam session next to the pool. Since I’m musically challenged, if someone wants to help organize this, we all would appreciate it. I’ve heard rumors that there are some very talented kiteboarders out there!

Guitar Hero Challenge: Bust out your moves on the guitar hero.

BBQ: We’ll have a BBQ grill going so bring something to throw on it or a side dish.

Hot Tub and Pool: Bring your board short and catch a dip.

And of course the famous Tiki Bar will be open. Bring something to contribute to the beer well or bar collection or an old or broken kiteboard with good graphics to hang on the wall.

Bring a designated driver or a sleeping bag and/or tent and plan on spending the night on the lawn. We’ll also try to car pool some people up from the launch area so we have room to park.

Location: We’ll hand out paper maps at the comp on Friday and we’ll post directions just prior to the event. It’s at Tony and Carol’s place in Stevenson.

Quick recap of the schedule of events:
Friday, July 25th, is the photo op freestyle session.
Friday night is the Bridge of the Tiki Gods party
Sat. morning is breakfast at the launch thanks to Puget Sound Kiteboarding Assoc.
Sat. is freestyle comp day.
Sat night is dinner and party at the launch with the photo slide show.
Sunday is optional wind day.

And they have camping for $10 per night at the fairgrounds, so bring your tent.

Come join us for an awesome weekend!

Directions:

Here's the directions for now. Carol will post up party info later on this weekend.

Basically, from Joe's El Rio, head east, turn left at the Chevron station, right at the top of the hill, (follow the Paw prints in the road), left at the first Y, right at the second Y, (stop following Paw prints), left (almost a U turn) at the top of the hill, right on Stewart just after the Fire Station, follow the road to the top of the hill, go right at the driveway at the end of the cul-de-sac. Park. Party.

Edit: one request - please drive slowly on Stewart road so you don't get the neighbors upset with me. Thanks!

beefcake · Since 11 Jul 2007 140 Posts Stoked

Do you mean Saturday, July 26th?

blancoh2o · Since 15 Mar 2005 1154 Posts Oregon Phishy

The Festival kicks off on Friday the 25th of July for the photography/video sessions. The competition, food, beer, SUP and the works is Saturday the 26th. The rollover day is Sunday. Please make it a point to get up to the Tiki of the God's Party Friday night so that there will be wind Saturday.
Sorry for the confusion, I hope that clears everything up.
www.dabridge.us

stringy · Since 23 Jun 2006 1738 Posts vancouver XTreme Poster

steve,
I had a question for you after visiting the official site. On the photo contest, I assume the individuals who will need to register for the photo contest are the riders, not the photographers. Do the photographers need to register somewhere as well?
Also, in regards to the video portion, is it anything goes for the video? A max time limit on video? What format would be best? Sorry for all the questions, just trying to prepare now.

By the way, I see more info provided this year then ever before. Good job to you, Dave and Gary as well as nwkite and the other forums promoting this great event.
I look forward to Friday festivities and then the evening at the Tiki bar. I really hope it goes on Saturday so you can hold the downwidner to Home Valley.

blancoh2o · Since 15 Mar 2005 1154 Posts Oregon Phishy

Good Questions Jim, Thanks for asking.

Yea, register for the photography contest even if you are not a rider. We are trying to get a handle on the participation level (as much as possible) before the weekend kicks off.

For video: all footage needs to be shot on location and on Friday. You can pre arrange some graphics, but all video needs to be generated from Stevenson on Friday. I am open to suggestions on a time limit, but I am thinking 2:00 minutes at this point.
We are going to have a digital projector, so I believe that as long as your laptop can plug in, you can use any format. Aaron might want a it converted for the website once the winner is determined.
I am not a A/V guy, so any help here is appreciated. Adam said he will help too.

Bettyboarder · Tue Jun 10, 08 11:36 am

Hey Steve,

Are you going to have SUP to use for the race or do we have to supply our own.

blancoh2o · Since 15 Mar 2005 1154 Posts Oregon Phishy

We are going to provide boards and paddles. Gorge Performance and 2nd Wind are working with us on that.

tinyE · Since 21 Jan 2006 2004 Posts not really an XTreme Poster

I have a few questions about registering.
I couldn't find an entry fee anywhere on the web site...What does it cost? Is the price per event? or if you enter, you can enter them all?
Where do we send the entry fee?

thanks!
B

blancoh2o · Since 15 Mar 2005 1154 Posts Oregon Phishy

The Main Freestyle event will be on Saturday, July 26 with a first possible start time of 10:00 am. Athlete sign in will be between 8:00-9:00 am. The cost of Registration is $50.00 for mens and women, or $25 for junior and masters. It is payable by check or cash at check in. There will be a mandatory riders meeting at 9:30 am. All pre registered athletes are required to check in Saturday morning. If you do not show up your spot will be given to someone on the waiting list. During the event athletes will receive a complimentory BBQ lunch, compliments of the Organizers.
Register on-line, pay when you get there.
One entry fee covers you for the entire event.

dsmith · Since 19 Apr 2008 23 Posts Hood River Â

Bettyboarder · Wed Jun 11, 08 7:24 am

Sounds fun - I just signed up Very Happy

Mark · Wed Jun 11, 08 8:44 am

I just signed up as well. Sounds like fun.

Oregon Surf Shop Tim · Since 04 Feb 2008 70 Posts Lincoln City Oregon Â

Tell us more about the SUP relay race.

blancoh2o · Since 15 Mar 2005 1154 Posts Oregon Phishy

The SUP relay will be team based. The number of teams and the size of the teams will be based on interest level as well as wind conditions. If there is more wind there will be less SUP, less wind=more SUP.
The course will be the boueys that are used for the kiteboarding comp. Each team member will have to paddle to each bouey, then circle it and proceed to the next one before returning to shore. (just like horse barrell racing) except It will be a head to head with a single elimination/bracket style race. That way we will only need two boards.
Teams will be assembled the Saturday morning. Teams will be picked with the best attempt to make them even.

blancoh2o · Since 15 Mar 2005 1154 Posts Oregon Phishy

I just got word that Stringy will be bringing down an inflatable slider. A huge Thank You needs to go out to Darren Wiley for letting us use this slider and to Stringy for making it happen.
Very Happy

G.Reed · Since 30 Jul 2006 51 Posts Â

Does anyone have a couch or two that we could use for the Beer Garden and Judges? If so , please send me an email.

thanks,
Gary Reed
reedgs@gorge.net