Jet-Ski's and Kiteboarding

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

We had out ski out at the sandbar this weekend (ours is white/gold), so did our friends Jim (Kodiak) and Janet (their's is white/green). I think between all of us we probably rescued over 20 people this weekend. My girlfriend Nicole (Bettyboarder) rescued 9 people on one day alone. For us its no problem, it’s a good karma bank as far as I am concerned.

I think the only thing that'd be nice is if some kiters try to give a little more respect to jet-ski's out there. One guy buzzed Nicole and Mark a couple of times with his kite when they were way up by Wells Island helping Mark's son kite. For some reason the guy had it in for them.

A jet-ski rescue can make the difference between a 5 minute ride or a 45 minute swim, 10 minute rock climb, and cross-state hitch-hike home. We've also saved boards, relaunched kites, untangled kites that have crossed with other kites...

99% of people are usually super appreciative for the help, but there's still some dicks out there. If you see somebody on a ski with a harness on, try to show them a little love, the next person they save could be you.

And if you have the means, considering getting one yourself. It really makes kiting much more worry free, and tow-ups to Wells Island can save you from a skunk day at the sandbar.

magicmaker · Since 29 Oct 2006 895 Posts da Hood Opinionated

we need an applause emoticon for you guys!

forrest · Wed May 30, 07 7:54 am

Thanks for giving me the green light to buy one. Smile

Just need to find a cheap one and build a ghetto tower for it.

Nak · Wed May 30, 07 8:01 am

I second Phil's thoughts completely. Sorry to hear about the dickwad screwing with you guys.

Is it just me, or are there a couple of real assholes at the spit this year? 99% of the riders I've met there have been great, but there are a couple of jerks there this year, unidentified as of yet... Not very typical for kiteboarding. Every spot I've gone everybody is stoked and helpful. But this year at the spit there a couple of guys who need to lighten up.

JMHO

forrest · Wed May 30, 07 8:03 am

Just looked at the price of used skis on Craigslist. What are the pros and cons of buying used and what should I look for as far as damage. Might as well just paste me a link to a buyers guide or something, I have little understanding of the ailments of water vessels.

Mark · Wed May 30, 07 8:21 am

Thanks again to Phil and especially Nicole for the jet ski session. That was the greatest thing since sliced bread.

Not sure why that guy was being such a a$$. I even talked to him later on the beach. Still being an A$$. Bad karma for him. I think he is from out of town. He is easily recognizable and I will be watching him to make sure he plays nice.

The Jetski and kid you buzz maybe there to save you some day.
Mark

Speedo · Since 07 May 2007 262 Posts Obsessed

shastadogs2 · Since 28 Mar 2005 336 Posts Obsessed

phil, great work on the ski. as one who has been in the sheit in the hood and been rescued, i say thank you from the heart.

forrest, do what you gotta do, man but consider buying a NEW ski. i have never seen one on the water that wasnt ridden flat out. and two stroke equipment is Evil or Very Mad

to repair.

about a flotilla for an epic downwinder in the columbia, i have a reliable little 22 foot sanger that can come along when we get back from cab-town in late june, early july. i will probably need a little help with that whole drift-launch thing though; gives me the creepy-jeepies just thinking about it.

jimmi

Bettyboarder · Wed May 30, 07 8:56 am

That guy that buzzed us was a real A$$. First time I have come across such a jerk on the water. Usually people are super nice

You can find a nice used ski for around $3k-$4K. They are kind of like cars buy them new is sort of a waste of $$$ if you have the $$$ go for it but if not check out this site out lots of great video's on what to look for in a used ski, 2 stroke vs 4 stroke, maintance...ect

http://server1.sbtontheweb.com/forum/showthread.php?t=19182

Kodiak · Since 01 Aug 2005 1114 Posts Slidey

Yeah, I would definitely say this was a busy weekend for rescues. The kite tangle was an interesting one. I have a couple of things to add to Phil's post.

Rescuing someone is not always the easiest thing to accomplish, so here are a few tips to make is safer for everyone involved.

1. Make sure you roll up all of your lines nice and tight around the bar. Having lines dangling where they can get sucked into the jetski is a good way to add another person to the rescue Smile

This is really important if the person rescuing you is not a kiter. They may not know about a the lines in the water, so make sure they are aware of the issue as well.

2. It depends on the situation but depending on the wind and the waves, it may be nessisary to also deflate the kite and roll it up.

3. If a person is close to shore, I may just ride up and grab the front edge of the kite, and tow you to shore, but again, if you have lines that are floating free or near the kite, let the person on the jetski know, so they can avoid them.

Finally a little request. When we kite at the spit, we sometimes drive upwind to get to wells Island, with someone sitting on the back of the jetski flying a kite. We ussually only do this so the newer kiters can get some more space to move. This does present an issue when it is super busy , as riding through all the folks with a kite flying vertical is difficult. Just a heads up to try and give a little space since you can't do much to stear the jetski or the kite in these situations.

I honestly look at rescuing people as a privilige. I have had my butt saved several times when shit hit the fan, and I think I am just giving a little back. It is no fun for anyone to swim in, so if I can give a helping hand I love to.

Oh, and we got our jetski used, with a trailor for a sweet deal. I would be ok getting a used one, just make sure you get it checked by a mechanic before buying it.

Mark · Wed May 30, 07 9:03 am

If anyone is interested. I have a buddy that is a top notch Jetski mechanic. I am sure for a couple of bucks he will go along and give a good idea of what you are buying. May give you a better comfort level buying used.
Ps there are some great deals on ski's that don't run that can be fixed easily. Two strokes are easy to work on and rebuild.

hope that helps.
Mark

stevegriffith22 · Since 14 May 2006 434 Posts Obsessed

AHHHH jet skis. Once again I usally don't get on and post. However. I worked at a jet ski rental place in college and I want to go on record by saying that I CANT FREAKING STAND JETSKIS! Simplely because of the maintance and everyone that i experianced with them were drunk and wrecking them! Evil or Very Mad

HOWEVER........I also want to go on record by saying that they probly are one of the best things to happen to the safey of kiting! Weather it be saving people, or teaching, or knowing that one is there to save a friend or my wife during the learning process, they are a perfect tool to have in the arsonal! Every fourth of july when people get together at Roosevelt, there are a couple of skis! I also want to go on record by saying that these jet skis don't run on "thanks dude!" Although karma is a good thing to bank. Jet skis burn fuel, not karma. Next time you need one of these jet skis to "help out" dig down and think about how thankful you are to have one headed your way! So for the people that own them and have the availble for use on anygiven day, I say THANK YOU! Laughing

tinyE · Since 21 Jan 2006 2004 Posts not really an XTreme Poster

there has been talk of outlawing the 2-strokes... check with the DMV or river authority before you buy one. You might not be able to license it in a few years.

bambam · Since 15 Mar 2005 760 Posts Hood River Photographer

Also, if your jetski breaks down... I'll pull ya in with my kite!

Bams

PS: The Bams water patrol will be back in Hood River July 1st thru the 9th! See everyone there!

stevegriffith22 · Since 14 May 2006 434 Posts Obsessed

As too the outlawing the two stokes..........they have done it to dirt bikes in california and it forced the industry to coperate. Besides, fourstokers aren't a bad think when weight isn't an issue. 4 stroke snomobiles are so heavey they can almost be a hazard because the industry hasn't focused on making light performance oreinted four stoke sleds. Yamaha has led the way, but the yamaha sleds have earned some pretty nasty nick names for there weight, even though they can produce crazy amounts of power. When it comes to water craft the only down side to four stokes is that they seem to be more sensitive machines, other than that, they are more quiet and seem to run better for longer periods of time. Weight isn't an issue for water craft. Get a four stroke!!!!!

pacifichigh · Since 11 May 2005 1004 Posts ATX Texan

What are the nicknames for the four stroke yahamas?? I rode a four stroke phazer last winter and it had no snort what so ever.

h2olm · Since 07 Jun 2006 124 Posts Stoked