PSA for Windsurfers - Safety Violations

McLovin · Since 11 Sep 2017 284 Posts Corbett Obsessed

Dearest Windsurfers,

It's really great to see so many of you out on the river. It brings me back to the 20+ years of my own experience hangin' from the booms...

There really is nothing better than getting up on a plane, setting that fin / foil and then closing the GAP and really rocketing along with the slap of the chop or hum of the foil in a straight line, channelling your inner Bjorn Dunkerbeck.

That said, PLEASE take a page from your fellow wingers, kiters and prone paddlers and consider TURNING if you are on a direct collision course with a fellow water sports enthusiast.

I KNOW you finally got everything locked in and you really don't want to = but IT's THE RIGHT THING TO DO...

Understanding not everyone knows the rights of way rules or even has the ability to abide by them - can we just avoid the direct attacks?

Here's 2 quick examples from today at the HATCH:

Kiter A is riding starboard (right) toe side on a swell following the wave downwind at a high rate of speed

W/S B is pinching upwind on a PORT (left) tack on a direct diagonal collision course and does NOT adjust his course at any point up until the near miss

and another:

Kiter B is riding starboard (right) toe side on swell same as above

Wind Foiler C is over taking Kiter B from a steep angle approaching from the left rear blind spot and never varies her course passing dangerously close to 4 loaded kite lines.

If you KNOW the rights of way rules please follow them. If you don't PLEASE consider turning. I know it's less fun but in my 20+ years windsurfing I did it a few times and it's OK. You will get back on that plane and you might just avoid a nasty or fatal injury for yourself or your fellow river users.

It's a BIG RIVER people - let's take a page from all the wingers and have some FUN making those TURNS...

PSA over.

Mc

moondog · Sun Aug 13, 23 7:14 am

Amen Brother!

gybetalkin · Since 01 Nov 2010 54 Posts

And I’ll add (most likely in vain)

While the human voice doesn’t officially count as a sound making device that vessels are required to carry, we all have a voice, and a simple ‘whoot whoot’ or ‘hiya” works well and is helpful as a signal TO any of those vessels who are restricted in their ability to maneuver and are being closed in on at a higher rate of speed. See and be seen.

We can all get along out there and it’s really great when we do!

OG · Since 07 Jun 2011 583 Posts Addicted

GREAT POST dude. looking before you turn, giving right of way are things we need to talk about and remind. New wind riders every year. Especially with winging becoming so prevalent. and people on foils just move in different ways that we've been used to with just kiters and windsurfers the last 20+ years.

Again, nice post. hope everyone reads it and thinks about it

HH · Since 24 Jul 2014 50 Posts Hood River, OR

Nak · Fri Aug 18, 23 9:45 pm

Wait a second! Are you saying that windsurfers CAN TURN their Vessel???? Are you certain about this? Or is this like another bigfoot sighting... Laughing

danf · Since 12 Jun 2009 108 Posts Stoked

Yes, it can certainly be annoying to alter your swell ride to go around them but a couple of points:
A. Windsurfers probably don't read this forum since it has "Kite" in the title so you're preaching to the choir
B. They have been straight lining without attempting a turn until the water gets less than 5 feet deep for 40 years. They are probably not going to change the way they ride now because of your post.

bigjohn · Since 13 Mar 2012 663 Posts Addicted

hmmm

Making a bored post since I can't ride my board.

I usually chuckle when a windsurfer doesn't give way cause I know that he/she is not getting the swell rides I am. I simply give way and catch the same wave below them for a nice long run.

It's the few windsurfers that actually do catch my wave and ride it down that surprise me... Now those guys/gals really piss me off. I'm like what the heck, You're a windsurfer... You can't ride that down. You're stealing my ride!!!

And the wingadingers... Don't get me going on them... They're stealing everything out there these days. There should be laws on the river limiting their rides on waves Razz

dhhr · Since 09 Jul 2015 30 Posts Hood River

there were a few windsurfers at Rufus yesterday slashing up the gigantic rolling and occasionally breaking waves - was impressive to watch

bigjohn · Since 13 Mar 2012 663 Posts Addicted

Sasquatch · Since 09 Mar 2005 2086 Posts PNW Bigfoot

dhhr · Since 09 Jul 2015 30 Posts Hood River

biffmalibu · Since 30 Jun 2011 38 Posts Mosier, Oregon

1) Don't hate. This is supposed to be FUN. Use your mental health insurance, if necessary and you have it. The hate is real.
2) Dead in the water has right of way always. Cruise by to see if they need help!
3) Avoid all collisions. It doesn't matter who has right of way. If you have right of way and create a close-call OR an actual collision, you are an ASS. And you are legally liable for what you caused.
4) Give space. Some (port!) riders are overpowered or out of control for some reason. Including novices. The river is large.
5) Look into your blind spot often, but especially before jibing. Applies to all riders and craft. Wingers, windsurfers, kiters, foilers, etc.
6) Communicate, especially when in or approaching somebody's blind spot. A whistle or yelp is all that is required. Don't be shy; there's a lot of white noise out there.
7) Swell riders have right of way (this is the point of being on the river, to surf swell!). Also, they are often underpowered or have no power at all. So they are much less maneuverable than the powered. Which makes them ALMOST dead in the water. Geez, just let an old guy/gal continue his swell ride. OK?!
Cool

Starboard has right of way over port.
9) Rider downwind has right of way over upwind rider (in other words, upwind rider must avoid the pinching rider when pressed). But be courteous, downwind riders. Don't pinch just to be an ASS. The river is large. See rule #4.
10) Always have a great session and smile when you're done. If you're not having a good time, just leave and do something else satisfying. Or just don't go. Attitude is contagious. If you're alive and healthy and at least learned something, you win. Because you can try again another day.

*Notice where the starboard rule is on the list?

#10 could arguably be #1. I probably missed a few rules. But not many. It's always 10 rules, right?
Laughing

knotwindy · Since 25 Sep 2011 607 Posts Addicted

So,
Be kind
Spread joy
Avoid confrontation
(If absolutely necessary try talking then just kill them)

Kind of like the rest of life?

Nak · Since 19 May 2005 4240 Posts Camas Site Lackey **CGKA Member**