Kiteboard Access Port of Hood River Waterfront

pdxmonkeyboy · Wed Jun 21, 06 3:41 pm

True enough, I'm not saying that it can't or shouldn't be done, it just gets really ugly when your dealing with the endangered species act (which you will do anytime you in the Columbia).

It seems the easiest way would be to find another appropriate lanuching spot nearby. Is there anything up or down stream? What's the deal with the hook? Looks super skinnny.

Pepi · Wed Jun 21, 06 5:21 pm

- Sounds like FUNN. But seriously - The hook, event site and marina were all projects with the same implications at one point. Yeah, it might not give us instantanious gratification - but a long term solution is better than no solution at all - or even a temporary one for that matter.

Boardrider and Monkeyboy are correct in their point on working towards a longterm solution, and that would ideally be pursued via an organized Kiting Association.

If you do some homework you'll see that around 90% of the water access sites on the Gorge were either built by or initially developed via the Windsurfing Association (either from direct association funds, or in combination with matched/donated funds).

Most of these sites didn't come out of nowhere and were usually not initiated via The Port of Hood River, Washington State Parks, Oregon State Parks, the Gorge Commission, or Friends of the Gorge (these are all recreational organizations that are involved directly in the management, support and maintanence of access in the greater surrounding Gorge region).

With the organized actions of a fully functioning, budgeted (that means fundraising too!) and goals oriented Columbia Gorge Kiting Association we can definitely make some positive changes in the Gorge to improve kiting access, safety, regulation and continued growth.
When we all work together in the same direction, we have a lot more strength and influence.

Looking forward to hearing good ideas, goals and objectives from our new Columbia Gorge Kiteboarding Association board of directors!!!

Thanks
Pepi
2nd Wind Sports LLC