Busy Sunday at Sauvies

tonski · Since 11 Jun 2005 332 Posts NW Portland Obsessed

I was also very surprised how many newbies had board leashes, no helmets, and were launching without kite leashes! I had to yell at one guy to put his kite leash on because it was dangling from the bar.

Also, several newbies kited to the far side of the river and had to be rescued by boaters - They are very fortunate that a lot of boats were on the water to assist. Remember the rule - don't kite farther out than you can swim!

I say let's not be afraid to give a shout out to someone when we notice something unsafe. It only takes one serious accident to create a ban - Shocked

pdxmonkeyboy · Mon Jun 26, 06 10:58 am

All the beginer stuff aside, perhaps it would be a good idea for the forum to create a "rules of kiteboarding" sticky that lays out some of the nautical and not-so-nautical rules fo the road.

I.e.

Don't daudle on the beach- launch and land quickly.
Don't ask a non-kiteboarder to land your kite
Down wind kiter keeps his kite low when two kiters pass each other.
Don't try your new tricks next to the beach.
Don't boost without plenty of downwind room.
If your learning and your not sure who has the right of way, take a seat and let people pass.

Basically how to interact with other kiteboarders on the river when there is lots of traffic.

Whatdoyathink?

Mark · Mon Jun 26, 06 12:08 pm

Sounds good, I would add:
Starboard has right of way (standard boating rules) (ps thats right hand in front)

NO Jumping and tricks right in front of the crowded take off and landing portion of the beach. Go up wind/down wind 100'. It scares the newbies into crashing their kites. We are better than that.

Smile and have fun. NO attitudes.

Lauch/ land one more kite than you launch/land yourself.

The best part of this sport is the people. Lets continue to be helpful and make some new friends.

pacifichigh · Since 11 May 2005 1004 Posts ATX Texan

Kudos to everyone that kept yesterday event free at SI. It is imperative that we step up and self police our scene, one bad incident could be all that it takes to threaten access. The CGKA is having its first board meeting tonight, with the main objectives being access preservation and awareness.

pdxmonkeyboy · Mon Jun 26, 06 12:18 pm

forrest · Mon Jun 26, 06 12:57 pm

Ditto on this one and include wakeboarders. Razz

I used to wakeboard at Texas Ski Ranch and I tell you what, those guys were sooooooo full of themselves. Completely ruined wakeboarding for me. Couple of kiters started going there to practice board skills on non-windy days and got me hooked. Thank god for kiting.

I'm glad I could help and I enjoy helping newbies succeed. I will always consider helping a newbie higher priority than getting my self on the water. Kiting will always be better if everyone kites another day, and there will always be wind! Also, I try to show newbies that helping is the appropriate thing to do. That way when they're successful, they're first reaction is to help the newbies around them.

benji712 · Since 30 Apr 2006 34 Posts Boardman

yea forsure, i gotta say thats the one great thing about kiteboarding is the peeps are chill and laid back, much diff from surfers.

just a note on the waroo guy learning, on saturday I was boarding around him and he was super safe for a learner, he might have been just having a rough learning day or somethin on sunday.

next time im at sauvies all try and clean up a bit o trash, it has been busy, gotta keep that spot in good condition. see ya'll out there. ben Surprised