Do you help swimmers? btw, thanks Mark

steviep · Since 04 Apr 2006 51 Posts Portland, OR

I've gone back and forth and back again on the idea of helping swimmers. I used to do it all the time. Then felt like if your in trouble it's your own fault; you don't belong there. Now have come back to the 'help a brother(or sister) out', especially if they've taken lessons and trying to help themselves by self rescuing, even if unsuccessful. Regardless I think its good policy to help, even if they're complete kooks. In which case I'd help, then tell them about the importance of lessons, their safety, more importantly others safety, and the preservation of the sport. I almost forgot, I'd tell them what kind of beer I like!!

Many thanks to Mark Barnes for the assistance on Sun(yeah for sun and wind). Mariev wound up her lines & tried to self rescue to the sandbar having only a dry land simulated self rescue. She couldn't get the kite in the proper position, so I attempted to drag her and the kite in. After twenty minutes or so with getting seemingly nowhere with the ripping current, and a very tired arm. I told her to release from the kite so I could bring in the kite and return for her in a few minutes. By the time I could make 2 tacks upwind to get her, Mark was pulling into the SW corner of the sandbar with her. You Rock Mark!!

After a short discussion of what happened out there she booked another lesson. Yeah Mariev. The best part of the whole ordeal. As I approached her to try to correct her self rescue technique. I told her to grab the leading edge and make a smiley face with it. Mariev who's english is second to her french, turns to me with a huge smile ear to ear. It made a great laugh when we got to the beach. Peace K-dude
"Keep track of your friends, your gonna need them in the end" -Bill Nershi

mschulz · Since 29 May 2007 530 Posts Reno, NV Addicted

Way to go Mark.

I think it is just good Karma to help out. We were all or will be there some day.

SKITE · Since 07 Sep 2007 20 Posts Hood River

what goes around, comes around. I dragged a swimmer to shore in Maui a month ago and was dragged to the sandbar last week when my strut blew. I'll always help someone out and expect others to help me out when needed. Even the best kiters will break down occasionally.

SKITE

Kraemer · Since 24 Apr 2006 1736 Posts Sky Pilot Unicorn Captain

Spectacular Mark! Saving the Day again! In honor of this moment on the 10th day of June; Two Thousand and Eight; you are hereby given the purple bear award!

Kraemer · Since 24 Apr 2006 1736 Posts Sky Pilot Unicorn Captain

sticky please!

pdxmonkeyboy · Tue Jun 10, 08 5:52 pm

No matter how aggravating some beginners can be I always go out of my way to make sure everyone is safe and having a good time as like it or not, everyone gets into situations that they didn't plan.

From grabbing peoples boards to dragging them to shore to just cruising by and making sure somebody with their kite in the water gives me the thumbs up, everyone should be looking out for everyone else.

At the end of the day, we are a community and members of a community look out for each other.

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

stringy · Since 23 Jun 2006 1738 Posts vancouver XTreme Poster

always good to help a fellow human in need.
Regardless of their actions, you might not understand what they have been put through and should avoid rushing to any judgement.
Mark is a good member of the Gorge kiting community.
Good job Mark.
I got a couple of bucks for your KB4C page.

stringy

Reaper356 · Since 10 Dec 2006 781 Posts Salem / LC Oregon Opinionated

Yeah, always help regardless of circumstances - especially in the ocean.

Blue · Since 03 Jul 2007 469 Posts I used to be Obsessed

No doubt, rescue first, ask questions later (if at all). Human in distress always deserves all available attention. There is no room to contemplate why someone needs help, and if he/she is in need due to his/her own fault.

Sasquatch · Since 09 Mar 2005 2103 Posts PNW Bigfoot

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1692 Posts XTreme Poster

Good job dude! It's a good thing to help out anybody in need. "In the end the love you give is equal to the love you get." ~John Lennon

1000 positive karma points.

1 free IRA a dble mnt. if you see me there

Very Happy

Mark · Wed Jun 11, 08 8:40 am

Just trying to "pay forward" some karma Wink

She did have a huge smile on her face when I picked her up. Hope her arms weren't to sore. She was skipping off the water behind me. Glad she still has the stoke.

I remember back in the day, Mark and Amery picking up all the pieces from my yard sale at Stevenson. I was very impressed they could save me and my gear. I always wanted to be able to pass that on.

Ps
Jim thanks very much for the donation to my Kiteboard for Cancer account.

That was very nice of you.

jack · Since 12 Mar 2006 215 Posts Stoked

while we are on the rescue topic, make sure you have a grab handle on your board... trying to schlepp a ss glide into shore without one is a pain in the ass. kindly make your rescue as easy as possible....

Kataku2k3 · Since 14 Aug 2005 3754 Posts PDX-LA Videographer

Lunacys don't have grab handles... Laughing

jack · Since 12 Mar 2006 215 Posts Stoked

well fuck there goes my argument... Mad

h2olm · Since 07 Jun 2006 124 Posts Stoked

So if we see a Lunatic, I mean Lunacy, floating in the water, then we just let it go by. Just joking!
Last week, I was in between the bridge and the Hatch. Picked up an SS board and brought it back to the spit. Gave it to some lady on the beach. I hope she got it to its rightful owner. Then I headed back out again as I was heading up to the Hatch in the first place. After a couple hours of riding swell, started heading back to the spit. I was all by myself, and saw what I thought was a kite floating by. Did not see anyone around until I got closer. It turned out to be a buddy trying to self rescue. I brought his board back to the spit from damm near the Hatch. He caught a ride from the cops from the Hatch back to the HR bridge then caught a ride back to the spit. As I was changing oout of my suit, he comes strolling up to get his board.
Two boards in one day. Hope that earned a few karma points.