Arlington Launch Improvements

Sella · Sun Feb 26, 17 12:11 pm

My understanding is both kiting and windsurfing were taken into consideration when designing a safer, more accessible, launch.

As BigJohn highlighted the swell is everywhere and really good with true desert heat. Campsites are being created/updated to offset the longer drive. It reminds me of Rufus....with less funky wind, bigger play area and better local amenities.

CGWA donated $5k for the effort, awesome and generous move by them. Considering many riders/sailors/foilers/SUP'ers etc are all mixed together now the vibe will be harmonious. The attached picture is from CGWA Facebook page taken just this past week detailing the current state of build.

cpc219 · Since 12 Jun 2014 296 Posts The Dalles Obsessed

We had 3 kiters out on the water yesterday at A-town. The new launch is awesome and the head guy Peter met us out there as well. Peter is a super nice guy, very enthusiastic about the development down there, and very receptive to input. It is very rare for someone to make themselves and their energy available to the windsports community in the way that he does. So if you see him out there give him a big thank you and most of all use the Park!

Once things get a little more polished over there they will make some signage to help designate appropriate use. Kiters will most likely still launch out of the Marina, but they are going to make the boat ramp you walk down bigger with less of a grade and will also put self-launch-land posts on the north side of the ramp. Windsurfers will love the harbor launch but on days when it's macking it might be a little sketchy for kiters to finagle out between the jetties.

Anyway it's all really cool stuff they are over there and it's going to be an awesome summer.

ldhr · Since 21 Jul 2009 1487 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

cpc219 · Since 12 Jun 2014 296 Posts The Dalles Obsessed

You can do what you want. We went out the jetty yesterday but it was light 9m. On a gusty 6-7m day when it's smoking I would feel safer going out the marina. If something goes wrong you are getting dragged over the jetty.

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4909 Posts Portland Unstrapped

how about a work crew to put a "launch lane" downwind of the second jetty

bet we could knock that out assuming there aren't giant boulders

ldhr · Since 21 Jul 2009 1487 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

bigjohn · Since 13 Mar 2012 663 Posts Addicted

I feel that placing any signage dis-allowing launching/landing of kites in the newly improved area (North side) would completely discredit all efforts taken.

Kiters can already walk down the marina boat ramp. They choose not to simply because it is completely wind shadowed and difficult to get up-wind and out to the river. In the event your kite goes down it would be very difficult to get it back up as the Jetty completely blocks any wind at the water level. You would likely just float to the rocks on the South side which could be both dangerous and damaging to your equipment.

When kiting in the boat ramp area (South side) you must keep your kite up very high (10:00 - 2:00). I recommend to anyone attempting this to at minimum be comfortable with reverse launching your kite.

In the past I have launched from the steep rock face (North side) and then land in the boat launch area (South side) as it is easier to go downwind with your kite from 10:00-2:00.

Anyone interfacing with the Port of Arlington needs to point out that most kiters will not attempt the marina boat ramp now. Simply widening and adding a tether will not change that.

If the port of Arlington is interested in increasing kiteboarding activity they need to provide direct access to the river on the North side.

bajakinney · Since 16 Aug 2012 29 Posts colorado

Local strapless queen, Cynthia Cynbad Brown, did the art and design of the Arlington billboard!

Sella · Mon Mar 06, 17 10:56 am **Re: Arlington launch improvements**

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4909 Posts Portland Unstrapped

they had the earth mover out yesterday Thumb's Up

cgka · Since 18 Jul 2006 278 Posts Obsessed

Sasquatch · Since 09 Mar 2005 2088 Posts PNW Bigfoot

bigjohn · Since 13 Mar 2012 663 Posts Addicted

hilton · Since 15 Aug 2008 798 Posts Opinionated

Eastern Columbia River Gorge-
Including the cities of Arlington, The Dalles, and White Salmon
731 AM PST Thu Mar 9 2017

.FRIDAY...Partly cloudy in the morning then clearing. Windy.
Highs 56 to 61. West wind 20 to 30 mph with gusts to around
45 mph.

bigjohn · Since 13 Mar 2012 663 Posts Addicted

The models I have been looking at are favoring Arlington and early.

Perhaps 9:00 - noon?

Perhaps I'll make the drive out to search for some of those updrafts they apparently have out there. Confused

Rufus could be good as well, however with more clouds.

Sasquatch · Since 09 Mar 2005 2088 Posts PNW Bigfoot

bigjohn · Since 13 Mar 2012 663 Posts Addicted

A few of us ended up kiting Rufus today. Had a great time. After my session I made my way to Arlington to check out the situation.

GREAT NEWS - the new site is complete!!!!!

I stopped by the Port of Arlington and had a chat with Denise at the front desk.

It is my understanding that Port of Arlington is not defining/limiting usage for their newly developed water park access way into the Columbia River. I was informed that Port of Arlington has developed this river access for the benefit of all users inclusive of WINDSURFERS, SUPERS, and KITERS.

Apparently there has been a request by a couple of kiteboarders to add sand to the boat launch area as an alternate kite launch site. The port of Arlington has obliged this request.

I also got the skinny on some other nice Arlington insights:
1) There are currently thee local food sources (The main restaurant, a Deli, a pizza / Chicken broasting site (but this site is only open on weekday afternoons).
2) You can rent SUPs at the local hardware store.
3) They have an awesome local golf course.

I recommend that all of us kiters stop in at the port of Arlington (after our kite sessions) and take the time to thank them for their efforts. Let's let them know how much we appreciate the new river access point.

See pictures below.