Event Site is still in pump/dry mode only

Pepi · Fri Sep 06, 19 1:37 pm **Event Site is still in pump/dry mode only**

Just a reminder that the Event Site is still in Pump/Dry mode until the Port officially designates a re-opening date.

Current view point from the Port's insurance/liability standpoint is that the Event Site still has too many multisport/spectator users for safely re-introducing kiteboarding launch/land into the area.
If the amount of users at the event site continues through the month, the re-opening of kite launch and land may be delayed until the end of the month.

And, yes, the Event Site is still a paid parking lot, so remember to keep your passes in your car and if you don't have a pass, then remember to pay for a daily pass when parked.

The growing amount of commercial businesses and it's growing population of users and guests seems to continue to expand and push more demand on these waterfront locations and parking venues.
With more commercial businesses to be expected along the waterfront, these will likely be standard growth scenarios for us to have to get used to.

Pepi · Tue Sep 24, 19 1:48 pm

Just a reminder.

Saw some very sketchy, amateurish launches occurring today in the super holey southwesterly windshadow.

Sandbar launch was the correct and smart call for the day.

Port of HR still appears to have plans to hold the pump and dry status until the end of September

shred_da_gorge · Tue Sep 24, 19 2:10 pm

It's a good point, thanks Pepi - people I speak with are unsure (I know signs abound), or just plain disagree. If I'm standing there and a kiter comes in to land then my better judgment tells me it's safer to land them then tell them to go to the sandbar (which may not even have someone to catch). I'm not entirely comfortable with doing this (given that it's breaking port rules), but again it's typically a judgment call I feel I'm experienced enough to make - am open to feedback. (And I confess I've launched a few folks too... sorry).

Really the main thing is that the wind has a lot of south in it this time of year which makes the sandbar wind a better choice anyway!

Jonpnw · Tue Sep 24, 19 2:41 pm **Confusing Signage**

The sign clearly states the grass is closed until September 15th . So if your visiting and see that and know no better you launch into sketch winds . Go to the sandbar , it’s better and the exercise is good for you .

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

Everyone knows it's supposed to be closed.
Everyone knows they are breaking the rules.
They thinks it's stupid that we can't launch from the grass ad there's no authority to stop them.
I talked to a couple of them (locals) - they know.

Singlemalt · Since 21 Jun 2015 474 Posts White Salmon Obsessed

But there’s money for someone to write parking tickets.

moondog · Tue Sep 24, 19 4:53 pm

There were exactly 0 windsurfers at the ES today Sept. 24th. There were 25-30 kiters. There were 15 spectators. What a joke that we can't use the grass for launching and landing. I called Daryl twice to discuss the situation and she has never returned my call.

Pepi · Wed Sep 25, 19 8:37 am

Reminder that I am just a messenger nowadays.

Personally, I prefer to pump and launch at the Event Site, but I am not a fan when there are others launching who have no idea about the wind vortex, wind shadow or have no idea how to manage difficult launch scenarios.
Yesterday there were people repeatedly trying to launch, drop their kites in the wind shadow and then struggle trying to relaunch the kite in the water dead downwind blocking the entire launch.
Add to this scenario the random extra person who watches all this and then does the exact same thing, but without any wetsuit.

The bigger picture here is that if (or the next time) a person gets hurt as a result of kiteboarding and the Port of HR's insurance company is forced to settle (or loses) a wrongful injury claim, then the entire Port of HR waterfront will have to discontinue allowing kiteboard access.

It's never a full on win-win, but it keeps the launch available to re-open each year.

As you all know, we (the former CGKA) have handed the reigns of this responsibility over to the CGWWA.
So, as such, my original post was just made to ensure that everyone has as best a chance as possible to know what the current Port of HR rules were.

Yesterday, the wind sucked badly via the Event Site, and I launched at the Spit.

wannabekiter · Since 14 May 2015 269 Posts Hood river Obsessed

Yeah saw people launching off the grass Saturday. What too lazy to walk out to the spit?
Twisted Evil

wylieflyote · Wed Sep 25, 19 11:10 am **Re: wind**

wannabekiter · Since 14 May 2015 269 Posts Hood river Obsessed

The rules are the rules. Sorry its hard to carry your foil.
Its in everybody's best interest to not piss off the port.
Or there insurance company.

knotwindy · Since 25 Sep 2011 607 Posts Addicted

wylieflyote · Wed Sep 25, 19 1:39 pm **Re: Sorry**

Clyde S. Dale · Since 23 Jul 2016 55 Posts

Pepi · Wed Sep 25, 19 5:51 pm **Re: Sorry**

[/quote]
Think about the workout you get, people pay money for that ! And foilers need a workout, that smooth butter riding is effortless ! Smile

[/quote]

Pretty accurate.
First trip to the coast this summer on my surfboard proved that foiling had turned me into a lazy foiling puss. Got totally worked until I remembered that I had to actually work for the waves, ride the kite powered and bury the rail to get where I needed.

Pepi · Thu Sep 26, 19 9:29 am

Gotta come clean before I get grilled for it, but i landed at the Event Site this morning.
Way tooooo overpowered on my 6m dawn patrol.

tgautier · Since 22 Oct 2016 49 Posts