Jones incident 8/3

K4L · Since 19 Jan 2009 483 Posts Obsessed

Had a good afternoon at Jones today. First time there.
Started out on my 12 then came in and demoed blade 10 and then 12.
When I went to roll up my kite when leaving I noticed that it had been dragged upwind probably 40 feet, lines were tangled in moss and other debris and kite was laying over a large limb. I wasn't sure what has happened as I had rolled my lines up 80% when I left kite on the beach earlier.
When I got home I looked over the kite and found a leading edge tear about 2 inches long.
Guess I will be rolling my kites up from now between sessions when I go back there.

jerp · Since 22 Feb 2013 453 Posts Obsessed

did you have your kite(s) set up near the water or up on the higher level where the cars park? I ask because occasionally you get two large ships in the channel at the time which can create a wave that clears that lower area.

I've seen it once as I was about to land my kite, a wave of water came in taking out about 4 kites.

BeerKite · Since 29 Mar 2011 471 Posts Obsessed

^ my first thought. Last time I was there myself and another guy had our kites close to the water and I got mine up just in time. The other guy, not so lucky. After I told him 3 times to move his kite because that big ass ship was going to cause a tidal wave, he chose to ignore it and had his bar, lines, kite, and board go every which way.

WindSki · Since 14 Dec 2012 411 Posts Portland Obsessed

This is a really good point !!!
I only kite this spot about once a year. I'll keep this in the back of my mind.

Hope the kite was not moved by a human !

If it was by a wave, expensive lesson
Sad

K4L · Since 19 Jan 2009 483 Posts Obsessed

Good to know. Yes my kite was within 50 feet of the shore, very possible scenario

D-Rayz · Since 03 Aug 2013 1 Posts BeaverTown New Member

That's exactly what happened today at around 4pm as tide was just coming back in so the lower flat beach was still mostly exposed. Big ship comes upriver and the wake ran about 30 feet up onto the beach washing a few kites around before it receded. Not a good idea to leave unattended kites down on the flat sand for too long at Jones. If a ship's wake doesn't pick them up the incoming tide will.

jerp · Since 22 Feb 2013 453 Posts Obsessed

When it happened (last year maybe) my wife and I were coming in. We each grabbed a kite that would have otherwise been washed away while keeping our own flying. All while the owners were chatting up on the upper level Smile

TonyROD · Since 30 Apr 2014 22 Posts

K4L...
Bingo...!

Saw it happen... But didn't think you had any damage.
sorry to hear that.

Keep gear away from water. This happens a lot when ships cruise by.
Also, watch out for the wind shadows that ships might create. When those big fatties cruise - its like your kite wants to fall or act kookie.

Blazeheliski · Since 30 Mar 2011 659 Posts Mosier Addicted

When they used to allow ATVs on the beach - that was always a possibility for grabbing your lines. But now it is mostly only kiters who drive on the beach - and they are mindful of kite lines. I never leave anything sitting on the lower beach for any length of time because of the ship wave factor.

Dern · Since 11 Jul 2010 545 Posts Vancouver, WA Addicted

This is someone holding my kite up from the boat's mini tidal wave. It was on dry sand before the boat wave came. This is what happened to your kite!