KID Cluster at the Spit today! Just a vent.

magicmaker · Since 29 Oct 2006 895 Posts da Hood Opinionated

it aint that bad. i see most of hte schools teaching on the northwest corner where they said they would. what i did see, and kind of bothered me, was people teching their friends and possibly doing renegade lessons, right down front and center. freinds teaching friends need to be on the northwest corner just like schools.

other than that, the crowds and the kids aren't that bad., if i see kids in the water where i can tag them with the wake off my board, i say, go for it. they will think twice about wading in the water around kiters after that. Wink

i personally go out and have fun doing what i like to do. no reason to get upset because the wind is gusty/fluky or there are beginners in that perfect flat spot of water, so now i can't get the perfect setup for an attempt at a double sbend or whatever that new move is you're working on? no fukcit, no complaints here; just go ride in a different spot do something else, it is all fun. go boost some bigairs out in the channel, or go hit the slider, hardly anybody is ever down there. go up to the bridge or beyond and ride the swell. look more on the positive side of things, and i'll think you'll find yourself having more fun that you realize.

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1861 Posts XTreme Poster

well said...

Mark · Thu Jul 03, 08 7:30 am

Please help gather numbers for us. Count how many cars are in the spit lot and how many kiters are on the water. Then count how many cars are in the event site and how many poleboarders are out on the water. Please note time and date.

There is a active thread on the CGKA section for your data. If you are not yet a member, please PM me the info and I will post for you. The more info we can get on our numbers the more clout we carry. (This is a simple way you can help out!!)

Thanks in advance.
Mark

Tony · Since 28 Aug 2006 940 Posts Portland Opinionated

forrest · Thu Jul 03, 08 7:36 am

This is going to rub many people the wrong way, but I feel like it needs to be said. I might not be right, in fact, I'm probably just sounding like a whiny bitch, but dissent is the highest form of patriotism, and I love this area and community with all my heart. I have nothing to loose by saying this or any of the other controversial topics I bring up.

The congestion problem is more than just the schools. It's a bunch of things, but the schools are the first part of the problem and the easiest to solve: jetskis. The problem exists, and the solutions should start with the stakeholders of the area.

@Optimus: The mouth of the hood river has the best flat water there is, and it's deeper than 8 inches. That's where I go to throw down when the wind is right. This is where the slider and kicker is located for this very reason. The Slider Project has made one hell of a compromise putting the future of this sport in the shittiest location imaginable. Don't make this about me or the people that like to ride flat water. There are tons of people that come here and tack back and forth in the shallow areas, and they're not a problem.

@magicmaker: Every time this topic comes up, you say that, but you're not out there at 2pm everyday like I am.

Getting back to the problem: What about just getting back to the beach to land your kite? What about having to dodge tomahawking kites, and out of control students. What about having to dodge the jetski sitting out on the north side of the sandbar?

People teaching other people. This is irresponsible. I'm the first to tell you, I've done it. I was doing it the other day... I have no good solutions to this other than suggesting a time slot and trying to get people to agree.

The north side of the sandbar has room for maybe two schools. There are five, each teaching several students each. It has become a problem, do not try to deny that. The schools have to pay $3500 a season to be there. But their privileges end at the high water mark. Again, easiest solution here, Jetskis (Just like the rest of the world does kiteboarding lessons.) and doing away with the non-jetski pricing structure so that the schools can be competitive on an equal level.

The problem with the schools is this cheaper pricing structure for non-jetski lesson. One school started it and the rest had to follow suit to be competitive.

The schools are NOT on the north side of the sandbar, they are wherever they want to be. Teaching upwind of the kite killer, the rock groin, and the log pile. Just because kites have gotten safer, doesn't mean an accident isn't going to happen.

The schools are just treading on the rest of us tax payers who have worked our assess off to live here in the first place, so we can ride at the Sandbar. Get you student off public land, it's not fair to the rest of the public.

pdxmonkeyboy · Thu Jul 03, 08 7:47 am

Seems to me that a couple things should happen:

Ban trainer kites on the sand bar from Thursday to Monday. If you want to fly a trainer go use it on the lawn, there is NO legitimate reason to fly it down on the sand bar. Do it during the week when nobody is around.

Require the use of Jet Skis for ALL schools from Thursday to Monday. I know it must be hard for some of the schools with cash flow and all but in the end, you'll provide higher quality lessons and help your students out when they leave the nest and try to navigate the gauntlet with a minimum amount of skills.

Lastly, it seems that like it or not, there needs to be a meagerly paid CGKA member on site during the weekend to police the kooks. I'm a big fan of self policing but with the size fo the crowds, it just doesn't work. How many times have you thought, man I should tell that guy or girl that they are doing things wrong, only to say screw it, I'm just going to launch and get the hell out of the circus.

Tony · Since 28 Aug 2006 940 Posts Portland Opinionated

I agree....how about a kite-cop....Instead of donuts, we'll give him PBR's.... Wink

kitebot · Since 20 Feb 2007 251 Posts Obsessed

Spike · Since 13 May 2007 1414 Posts Alameda Spelling Expert

just a vent

Bettyboarder · Thu Jul 03, 08 8:26 am

This is a great post. It's easy to complain on the forum but if you want to do something about it I strongly encourage CGKA members to come to the meetings. Power is in the numbers....At our last meeting there was only 2 members who showed up if we want to make changes we have to have members show up and speak up about problems.

The next CGKA BOD meetings (that are open to the public - all CGKA members welcome!) are Friday July 11th and August 8th - 7:00 PM at the spit

Bettyboarder · Thu Jul 03, 08 8:27 am

Also if your interested in Stevenson

two Port of Skamania meetings are July 8th and July 22nd this month. Meetings start at 4:00 p.m. and are open to the public.

jack · Since 12 Mar 2006 214 Posts Stoked

Mark · Thu Jul 03, 08 8:55 am

Wyo Kiter · Thu Jul 03, 08 8:58 am **Its a Big World So Go Ride It**

Last time I checked the Columbia River is one of the 5 Largest Riverways in the USA. And the World is much bigger. I couldn't even remember the last time I kited the sandbar, so if you think it is to crowed, and you kite there, well then you are part of the problem. So go to the meetings, with your represenatives and 'Tude, whatever, there is pleanty of water to ride in the NW, and as far as I know there is not a body of water around here where kiting is prohibitided. Other places in this nation and world do have these. Be thankfull for your rights as an american citizen as you celebrate the birthday of this great nation. Rolling Eyes

DROCK999 · Since 31 May 2007 852 Posts Left Coast Opinionated

pdxmonkeyboy · Thu Jul 03, 08 9:18 am