Kiting @ the Hood River Event Site & Marina

sherrybohn · Since 16 Jun 2006 71 Posts

FYI........ 2 kiteboarders attempted to rig and launch from the Hood River Event site this morning. When asked politely to NOT launch they became aggressive and abusive. This kind of behavior will not be tolerated and legal action will be taken to enforce the Port of Hood River's ordinances.

I am requesting the local kiteboard community's cooperation as per our discussions regarding "self policeing."

Ilegal launching and landing will not help the on-going access and safety issues that we need to work together to address.

Inept_Fun · Since 14 Apr 2005 1417 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

Yeah thats lame everyone knows you cant launch there. As far as self policeing, there isnt muc that we can do to stop them. Kiters arent at the Event Site to tell them they cant launch there, and its not like we know when someone is trying to launch there illegally, some things are just out of our hands so you cant expect us to police all.

sherrybohn · Since 16 Jun 2006 71 Posts

Not asking you to police the Event Site.....what I would like is talk/discussion/understanding on the beach, or lack of beach, that the Port is aware of the high water/safety/access issues. That we recognize the contributions, economically and recreationally, that the kiteboard community brings to Hood River. That we understand the increasing popularity of the sport and are attempting to find the balance between/for ALL waterfront users and NOT MIX them due to safety/liability issues.

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6548 Posts Couve / Hood Site Lackey

Sherry thanks for coming on to post and hope you continue to do so, we really appreciate it!

It sucks that it only takes a few knuckleheads with a bad tude to make us all look bad.

Hein · Since 08 Mar 2005 1313 Posts Possessed

..........................................
new kiter hostel now open

Ride at the marina an get one
free night stay with breakfast
..........................................

sherrybohn · Since 16 Jun 2006 71 Posts

Lame? Is safety lame?? Do you want to see a kid/visitor/dog/bystander hit by a kite? I don't.

Yes, people - like myself - want to ride but do you know how many phone calls I personally received yesterday and today requesting/demanding that there be NO kiteboarding at the Marina Beach? YES, that's my job as a public official - to gather information and make policy decisions so I'm not complaining -- even though this has consumed a better part of my week and I have a business to run and life to live.

Is the port dangling the marina in front of us - NO! Please keep in mind that I'm a kiteboarder too - a few kiteboarders decided that they would disregard the rules and start launching where ever they wanted. Now the port commission is attempting to find a win/win for this situation and not just say NO.

Can we hasten our decision? FYI as a public body we are bound by rules and are not allow to make decisions via telephone or e-mail (public meeting laws are designed to allow for/protect the rights of the public).

Have calls been made to Corps? Yes! and they don't know when the flow will drop. Snake River flows are 126% above normal and the Grand Coulee & Brownlee Reservior are full and releasing. We had 112% above average snowpack this year in the Columbia basin and a lot of rain in June. Mother nature is the biggest factor. The Corps keep saying next week...next week.

Until then......please ride safely

Mike Hawk · Fri Jun 16, 06 3:26 pm

Well done!!! Why can't you figgure out how to launch in knee deep water??? or better yet at another spot on the columbia. There are other places to ride in the gorge people. Better yet go bother the Troll!!!!!!!!

shredbarbie · Since 17 Sep 2005 97 Posts Hood River, OR

I'd be curious to know who these people are that are being rude when asked to leave currently posted 'no kiting' areas.

**If other kiters see this, please know that it is your responsibility to help enforce local guidelines so that renegade kiters don't make it worse and the sport is banned.**

I would advocate getting names or a license number or some other sort of information. If you don't feel comfortable confronting a renegade kiter, feel free to document the incident and send it along to CGKA. Heck, send photos too.

As a human being sharing this planet, if you are asked not to do something that is not legal, c'mon people, act like an adult and be professional about dealing with the request. KITING CAN BE BANNED AT ANY TIME.

It's not cool that there are many individuals out here trying to form a kiting community and I think some peer pressure here is necessary.

Guess what?... we'd all like to renegade launch at the Event Site or the Marina, but we're not all doing it.

Thoughts on that?

Sherry Bohn on the Port Commission has been working steadfastly since the meeting last Wed. toward a solution which may involve another portion of the waterfront to be allotted for kiting as a temporary solution for the fact that there does not exist a beginner-working-toward-becoming-intermediate kiting area in existence right now in the Gorge while the water is high.

Last night in a meeting open to the public we revived the Columbia Gorge Kiteboarding Association. We are in the process of getting an email address assigned for people to send us thoughts, concerns, etc. Until we get that, I will volunteer my email if people would like to send their concerns for compilation and review by the CGKA board.

-Kirsten Andrews
kandrews@gorge.net
Volunteer, CGKA

Mike Hawk · Fri Jun 16, 06 5:57 pm

Renagade Kiters can be dangerous, approach with caution!!!

Yeah people!!! there are people working hard for you to have places to kite. Don't f' it up. All the port has to do is say No, hang up the phone, and the issue is dead. All sides are working here for a positive proactive goal.

If i see anyone launching at a no kiting spot, lines will be cut, kites thrashed yada yada yada. Get it!? Be Cool, play by the rules, and you will have your's in time...Geeeeeeezzzzzzzzzzzzzz

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

jahmbi · Fri Jun 16, 06 10:57 pm **?????????**

who is going to throw the 1st hubcap??lets take bets!!!! Confused

lets all chant Twisted Evil

lets hope the summer starts cranking at the coast..no more southerly crap Evil or Very Mad

jiberski · Since 08 Jun 2006 6 Posts Kook

J.P. move along buddy, everyone is sick of your bad attitude and constant attacks. Okay we get it, you still have issues with shredbarbie. deal with it man!!! are you not getting enough time on the water? We're getting sick of reading your crap.

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

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

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6548 Posts Couve / Hood Site Lackey

Hey guys lets get back on topic...

One thing that I'd suggest is more people start launching from the Hook. A few of us launched their last weekend and its not that bad. It certainly beat the hell out of the crowds trying to launch at the spit parking lot. I'd even wadger that its a easier/safer launch, as you are not launching directly upwind of a rock jetty and the wind isn't as bad as you'd think.

Also another thing lets make sure we have respect for Sherry and the port, we can't get anywhere if we don't seem like a civilized and organized group in front of these people. We should be stoked that Sherry is taking the time even to come online and talk about it with us, I know I am.

Hein · Since 08 Mar 2005 1313 Posts Possessed

Are Sherry's posts Official Port business?

I think she needs to be careful about
indicatiing when she is representing the
port and when she is voicing her own
opinions.

Same goes for ShredBarbie. Please
indicate when you are speaking for
the CGKA and when you are speaking
for yourself.

Onad · Sat Jun 17, 06 8:26 am

I completely agree with Hein & PKH. Thumb's Up

Please remember which hat(s) you're wearing when posting. If you don’t have consensus or been designated as a representative for a group, then you are just stating your personal opionion. ~D

PS J.P. & Shread-Barbie, please take your immature flaming of each other off-line. We are all very tired of your shit!