CGKA - SAFETY AND COURTESY RULES 4 KITING IN HOOD RIVER

cgka · Since 18 Jul 2006 225 Posts Stoked

THE WINDS ARE BLOWING, THE SUN IS SHINING, AND YOU ARE AMPED TO RIDE!!!

BUT, BEFORE YOU HIT THE WATER, HERE ARE A FEW TIPS WE FEEL EVERYONE (EVEN THE HARDENED LOCALS) NEED TO READ, RESPECT AND REPRESENT WHILE KITING IN HOOD RIVER OR ANY OF OUR REGIONAL LAUNCH SPOTS

Don't jump/boost near the shoreline or others (aka - DON'T BE A DICK) : It scares and intimidates people kiting, launching, landing near you and quickly becomes dangerous when swimmers and windsurfers are added to the mix. Once in a while it may seem cool to do, but really, it makes you look like an asshole who has no consideration for others.
EVENT SITE - Please no boosting/kiting inside of the safety zone white buoy marker. This will begin to be enforced by the Port of Hood River on a case by case level focussed on offenders that local kiters and officials view as careless/dangerous.

Give other water users proper spacing/room to maneuver : So, you can downloop your kite and spin your board on a dime, but can the person who you are crossing paths with do the same, or are you causing them to panic and ruin their fun for the day(?). We all want to have fun, but don't make your fun, another persons fear.
SWELL RIDING/BOOSTING - Keep an eye out for others whether you are slashing off some swell and changing direction quickly, or boosting and floating downwind agressively. Either way, you need to be aware of others kiting around you, it is not the other person's responsibility to avoid you, you are the offender/aggressor in this case and need to kite with skill and caution.

Always help others launch/land : You help others and in turn they help you. Struggling with a launch is usually the immediate first step into a yardsale across the beach and a direct visit to the hospital.

Check your safety systems : When was the last time you popped open your chicken loop or leash release? Test them out before you launch and rinse them in the water to clear them of debris (it's amazing how many people bring in kites to our shop with chicken loops or leashes that are seized shut with debris)

Parking : Yup, parking. At the Event Site, if you have a motorhome or trailer, use the specified parking for oversized vehicles, do not take away 2 parking spaces or set up a picnic area where others could be parking.
At the Wunderbar - BACK IN PARKING ONLY!!! ALWAYS LOOK FOR TRUCKS (they will win in a car vs truck collision)! NEVER EVER SET FOOT ON THE TRACKS!!
Refer to this :[url] http://www.nwkite.com/forums/t-30220.html[/url]

Approach every session like it's the greatest day ever! Have fun, spread the stoke, share the water and help others have as much fun as you are having!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQCXZwS65S0

[youtube]www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQCXZwS65S0[/youtube]

Thank you
Your local and friendly,
Columbia Gorge Kiteboarding Association Board of Directors