Ethics and survival at the HR Marina

KiteKarl · Since 02 Mar 2005 213 Posts Stockton, California Stoked

If you kite, your equipment will fail or the weather will get brutal on you sooner or later. Keep this in mind when going out in cold water conditions and remember that Karma is the only law of the universe. Wink

boardrider · Since 05 Apr 2006 1034 Posts Ventura, CA XTreme Poster

Kiteboarding comes down to individual strength of character. Don't through your kite if you can't get in by yourself - BUT - We all know it is also a sport of pushing the limits. We have all being in a situation where, if something were to have gone wrong, we may not have been able to get back to land ourselves. It takes indivdual strength of character to know our limitations, but it also takes individual strength of character to help someone in need regardless of how 'correct' their actions were. I could not live with myself knowing that I could have helped someone that downed to death. Way to stand up for what is right Slither. -C

Wind Slither · Since 04 Mar 2005 2575 Posts The 503 METAL

Thanks for all the responses. For clarification, I wasn't part of the "yelling and confrontation", but I sure wanted to see the guy get out of the river. I said the conditions turned ugly, but they weren't hopeless. I was rigged and suited along with others.

I have always been thankful for the help offered me when I needed it. But I think you should be able to own a boat in HR without being constantly shoulder tapped for rescue missions. So launch prepared people and use good judgement, and when all that fails, be grateful if someone saves your arse cause it's not their job, it's yours! Very Happy

North winds this weekend...let's get em!

Kataku2k3 · Since 14 Aug 2005 3753 Posts Los Angeles, CA Videographer

Totally agree with ya on that last one Slither... Thumb's Up

importracer9 99 · Since 27 Oct 2005 296 Posts Obsessed

well put

doolttl · Since 16 May 2006 1 Posts NW New Member

To J.P.,

Let's set the record straight, I am the owner of the ski. I have NO affiliation with Kite-Line.com. Your buddy chose to go out in conditions which would result in a long drive, (for you), if things went wrong. Where were you when he made this decision? He was nearly on shore when you interrupted dinner, with my family, asking if I'd go pick up your freind. Your choice was to inconvenience me rather than get in your car and drive over to pick up your buddy. That makes me an ASSHOLE??? I am not responsible for you or anyone else that comes to the park. Sounds like you should stick to helping old ladies cross the street, cuz' you did a damn poor job looking out for your friend. Eagle Scout, my ass.

shastadogs2 · Since 28 Mar 2005 336 Posts Obsessed

return to the light, my brotha's. resist the dark side of the force!
jimmi

Sol-flyer · Since 21 Mar 2006 1280 Posts Dude, where's my Bus? Otto Mann

J.P. · Since 10 Mar 2005 638 Posts Addicted

sentone · Since 10 Feb 2006 66 Posts

bottom line......if the guy would of died...you and all the people who watch.laugh and cherred would of learned a life lesson and never been forgiven or forgotten if you got the means a boat . ski.a longboard then you gotta go... if the guy was drunk...then the peanut gallery would have full and total heckeling rights and heckel him to obilivon as to never see his dumbass face around there agin and role up his bar and kite for him not letting him make the same mistake.........as for wind change broke lines and broke ribs ect the next guy who will need a hand will be YOU.....if you need some smoke blown cuz you did a good deed your rewards will be as shallow as you...........a note to ALL.......DO WHAT IS RIGHT....AND ......PAY IT FORWARD..........youll feel better and earn much resect....note i said earned kite safe help and most of all have fun
Idea

Mike Hawk · Wed May 17, 06 10:47 am

Robble, Robble, Robble.......................................
Yeah Mother Fu@kers!!! You said it!!! Pay that Fu@kin' $hit Foward A$$holes

pdxmonkeyboy · Wed May 17, 06 10:53 am

A very good topic indeed.
I come from a very long history of big wall rockclimbing, mountaineering, and extreme downhill mountain biking. All of which have a credo of individual resposiblity. Truth of the matter is that the probablity exists that the shit will hit the fan and you will need some outside assitance. Poor decision making or not, if someone needs a hand and you are able to do so, then it shuld be a no brainer.

No amount of frustration with newbs or "dinner plans" or GOD FORBID $5 in gas money should enter into the equation when someone is struggeling out there.

ALL of us were "dangerous" at one time and I for one have watched the sun set on me as I battled currents, a broken kite line, and barges out at rooster. It was some spooky shit and I was VERY cold but I made it to shore and a fellow boarder stopped at the viewpoint to check on me and give me a lift back to the park. I have more than paid this back by rescuing many a board and even suited back up and wadded into the river at 9:30 to rescue a new kite that had drifted into some ancient pillings.

It is completely assinine that HR doesn't have a water patrol. It's ridiculous really but I think the real issue is we have to help other boarders out. The beaches are REALLY crowded and I know its a bummer but if you see someone doing something wrong or making a poor decision to go out, chances are that they don't know better and it will go along way to give them a polite pointer or two. You'll likely make a friend and avoid future problems with one more kiteboarder.

Nobody likes to get vibed and I'll tell you what, the more attitude we see at the beaches, the less fun it will be for EVERYONE. I feel sorry for both the newb who gets scalded for crashing his kite on the beach and the guy scalding him. "hey, lets go kiteboarding and go yell at people on the beach" sounds like fun to me.

Bottom line... Help those who need it, you never know when the tables will be turned. Take a chill pill, everyone is out trying to have fun and what do we have to do to get a beach patrol?

Cheers,
Brian

pdxmonkeyboy · Wed May 17, 06 10:55 am

tonski · Since 11 Jun 2005 332 Posts NW Portland Obsessed

I agree with MonkeyBoy - It's hard to imagine why lifeguards are there at pools, beaches, or even popular swimming holes of river banks...but not anywhere near Hood River!?

I say run for mayor, Rollo, and make it happen!!

jdk · Since 21 Dec 2005 333 Posts Obsessed

Maybe city is broke? I can image costs of operation adding up quickly and locals being like 'my fn sidewalk is cracked and you have yaddayadda dollars to pluck those extreme sports fanatics out of river!?' Or maybe city takes approach where in most cases kiter can cut lines and get to shore if necessary. I realize this doesn't always apply, so don't hound me Smile

but who knows what they think...

But yes great idea to approach city! Why wait until someone is elected mayor that is kiter, city will listen to people who live and spend money in town.

Has anyone ever asked the city why they don't have these kinds of rescue resources, started petition, orgainized a single meeting or something similar?

pdxmonkeyboy · Wed May 17, 06 11:45 am

Like many things, it likely comes down to money. However, it would not cost that much money to have a guy sitting on a jet ski out on the spit keeping an eye on things.

Hell, I would rather do that than be an environmental consultant.

Having a pretty good deal of experience with city planners and such, it is a little confusing to me that HR hasn't stepped up to meet this demand. It's not as if they are oblvious to the KB community, they did bring the potties down to the spit....

One question is...will a rescue guy on the bech help eliminate stupidity or breed it?

Onad · Wed May 17, 06 12:16 pm