New CGKA launch site.... Bingen! Come check it out.

pappas · Since 10 Jun 2007 58 Posts

Melokitegirl...

Bingen has been a windsurfing launch since the days of the old School House and camping at the Wind Ranch... We have been launching kites there since the two liner days.

Does your information actually say Bingen/ParkCity??? Hmmm, how local are you really? Yet, your barking like you own the place! Pissed? Get over it...

Pappas

melokitegirl · Since 28 Oct 2008 396 Posts Where the wind blows Obsessed

I completely disagree. That port park is not underused at all. In fact it is quite busy and very clean. What are you really going to clean? Isn't it really about clearing a spot for access? There is not enough room. Kiting sucks there. You will see for yourself....

As far as the local economy goes...that is farce. I've never seen anyone in the town 11 miles east at a bar, coffee place or c store even though its crowded with kiters.

Just because I'm a kiter doesn't mean I just go along with what the CGKA thinks is best. I respect the fact that these beaches belong to everyone. This isn't personal CGKA - I just disagree. It seems the sandbar is still a zoo and you guys have a hard enough time trying to marshal that and get kiters to actually become a member to support all that you do.

The paraglider thing...do you really think anyone is going to be courteous or aware? We can't even get people to pick up there dog shit at the event site.

And yup, your right Mark - nice localism. I do pay taxes there and use that park every day.

Not much I can do about it -

Good luck with the dog owners,
Mel

melokitegirl · Since 28 Oct 2008 396 Posts Where the wind blows Obsessed

Hey Pappas, I'm entitled to my opinion. My drivers license has a a Bingen Address. Don't be hating me cause I ski awesome pow a few weeks in the winter.

M.

melokitegirl · Since 28 Oct 2008 396 Posts Where the wind blows Obsessed

Oh and Pappas...sorry to drag this out, but I am aware of windsurfing deal. Its old news. There is a reason the windsurfers don't go there anymore. Windsurf gear is one thing and as you know kite gear is another. A kite trainer takes up 1/4 of the lawn when your flying it.

I know my opinion is not popular and I expected some flack.

M.

SalmonSlayer · Since 27 Nov 2005 648 Posts Addicted **CGKA Member**

Sella · Fri Aug 27, 10 7:05 pm

Chooch · Fri Aug 27, 10 7:15 pm

midscott · Since 27 Aug 2010 1 Posts New Member

i live in bingen and a better kite launch will be welcome. however, the bingen marina has always been a dog friendly site so no complaints about animals.

Knot Kracker · Since 02 Jul 2008 130 Posts Clackamas River Stoked

Great Job CGKA! Looking forward to using the site.

strapless101 · Since 17 Aug 2009 82 Posts gorge

I'm confused, hasn't this always been a launch spot. Sure it was sketch, but it has been kited for years. And yeah, we've definitely had some epic downwinders there, but you better know where the nets are.
What has the CGKA actually accomplished. I would be more impressed if they got us some designated rigging space at Doug's. I'm tired of old guys in too short cut-off jeans flipping me attitude at it being a windsurfing only launch. That's a legit goal, not claiming an existing launch as a feather in their cap.

melokitegirl · Since 28 Oct 2008 396 Posts Where the wind blows Obsessed

Wow Sella, did you eat your angry-o's today? If you don't care, then why did you post? I'm a fairly good kiter by the way. The sandbar is a zoo....no matter how good a kiter you are. kooks dropping kites on you, dogs running wild & kites wrapping you is not something that you can prevent as a "good" kiter. I have had someone that was upwind of me drop & wrap their kite around me - completely blindsided. I was out a whole season after that.

I'm not too worried about the kite invasion of such a small park. People are too cheap to pay the bridge toll anyway and once they get a whiff of the algae & see all the water hazards, the romance will be short lived. I was simply expressing an opinion-which is what the forum is about. I'm just not a kool-aid drinker.

Gaining access to Doug's is a better way to spend CGKA's time & efforts.

And Forrest...most of the time I agree with you, but your "precious" post is bullshit. You are the most territorial kiter I know with your slider project & trying to kick schools off the sandbar.

forrest · Sat Aug 28, 10 8:11 am

I'm confused by the claiming. Claimers are 200 years too late to be claiming. Blah Blah this and that was here first, blah blah.

Sella · Sat Aug 28, 10 9:31 am

melokitegirl · Since 28 Oct 2008 396 Posts Where the wind blows Obsessed

This isn't personal. There is no need to be so petty by listing my comments. Too much time on your hands. Life isn't about being "Polly Anna". Reality is what reality is.

I like Mark and the CGKA board. I think what they do is great for the most part It would have been nice to have had a discussion about it before it was advertised as the "new" kite beach, which is really an old windsurf beach already complete with three trails for access to the water.

Keep trashing me, that's fine. I think I've exhausted enough time and have expressed an opinion that is obviously not popular. I'm not here to change your mind. If you actually knew me, you would know that I care, I'm a lot of fun and help/support/cheer/rescue a ton of people on any beach I kite at.

Going kiting now...C ya!

pdxmonkeyboy · Mon Aug 30, 10 8:51 am

its raining and there is no wind so I fully expect this post to blow up. LOL

Any idea when the clean up is going to be?

Pepi · Mon Aug 30, 10 11:36 am

I'm going to shoot myself for even making a comment, but just thought I'd add some basic clarification to this topic.

When the CGKA makes an announcement/posting that a beach has been 'officially opened' to kiting, it is to share with the kiting community, that the CGKA has been able to successfully work with local community members/city or park officials to gain there support in creating a 'partnership' to set goals for improving, maintaining or developing specific access that would enhance the local kiteboarding experience and safety at a specific water access site.

It may sound strange to some as to why this does not happen all over the Gorge, but it does take quite a bit of personal time and group effort to initiate and build these relationships.
The end goal of these relationships it to gain a partnership within the community that ensures any current or future interests from the kite are heard, understood and acknowledged. Reality-wise this is more than half the battle the CGKA deals with and spends 80-90% of it's time maintaining.

This takes a lot of time and energy from the Board of Directors who are all volunteers that donate their personal time to make these things happen. Not everyone is happy with the accomplishments the CGKA does all of the time, but in the end most all of the actions are for the better good in protecting kiteboarding access for current and future generations.

Some food for thought boys and girls.
Let's all put the weapons down and hug it out.

As a reminder for any persons interested in having an active voice in the CGKA, join up and be a member, or attend any of the BOD meetings that are held the 2nd Thurs of each month. The first 15-20min of the meetings are open for anyone to attend (CGKA members do carry a bit more weight in their comments) and make suggestions or comments for the CGKA to discuss.

pdxmonkeyboy · Mon Aug 30, 10 12:25 pm

Wait a minute Pepi. Are you saying you can't make EVERYONE happy ALL the time? That doesn't seem like too much to ask from the people that have stepped up and donated their free time to actually get some shit done.

I think that perhaps the current CGKA needs to be put in context a little bit for some that are a little new to the kiting scene. And of course, I'll put my "narcassistic, I know everything, you don't know shit, my kids are the best thing in the world" spin on it.

For years and years, the "CGKA" was pretty much a joke. Every spring people would say "hey, wheres the CGKA" and get all excited and then it would pretty much disappear. The overall understanding was that the group was a loose group of stoners and transients that essentially couldn't get shit done for one reason or another. In terms of the public view of the organization, I'm not sure "legit" was used as an adjective that often.

Fast forward to the last 3 years and you have a vastly different organization. The board members in these past years have REALLY gone a long way. Like an amazingly long way. Many people do not have an appreciation for how long this stuff takes to get done. It's not as if they just call the port.. "hey, can we pump and dry at the ES?" and they just say, sure dude, whatever. It takes hard work and thick skin. Especially when you are working for the betterment of the whole group and a couple people come out and rail on you. Herding cats is an understatement. It takes a special kind of person, and I learned long ago, I'm not wired for that type of work.

So anywho, hats off to Mark, Pepi, Forrest, Nicole, Steve, Adam for putting in the effort! Having another viable launch is always a good thing. Always.