Ideas for Legitimacy

forrest · Tue Jun 05, 07 2:46 pm **Ideas for Legitimacy**

So, we're not legitimate. The Port doesn't think we are, the Windsurfers don't think we are. We continue to have problems at the Sandbar with people who have no business attaching a kite to themselves. They make us legitimate kiters look like idiots. I'm kind of sick of it. We can't move forward as a group/organization/sport in Hood River if we can't solve this problem.

How do we bring legitimacy to our use of the water?

Here is an idea off the top of my head: We form a club (CGKA is already active) and require membership for water user. One can become a member through another member vouching for their abilities, taking an online test, or photo documentation of one's abilities (http://www.mazamas.org). The club membership could be free or could cost something but come with some insurance.

There are other locations that have done this. Hayling Island in England is one where their spot is actually on private land and membership is required. Membership comes with insurance and costs 68GBP per year. Membership is enforced by self policing.

What ideas do others have?

magicmaker · Since 29 Oct 2006 895 Posts da Hood Opinionated

i dont mean to slam a fellow kiteboarder but, come on! read ordinance 22

http://portofhoodriver.com/Ordinance/Ordinance22.htm specifically

SECTION 24. Spit Restrictions. The following activities are prohibited at the Spit:
a. No person shall windsurf from the Spit.
b. No person shall swim from the Spit unless the person is kiteboarding.
c. No person shall drive or park a vehicle or a vehicle towing a trailer with a total length which exceeds 22 feet.

OK, that basically states the spit is for kiteboarding, making us legitimate. The spit is probably the biggest most beautiful beach in the entire Columbia River Gorge, and we have the port to thank for making it legitimately ours to kiteboard from. Thanks to all the port people.

Sorry, i just dont think any sort of certification is necessary. we self police enough and that works. When people who have never kiteboarded before come down to the spit and start asking questions everyone says take a lesson or three or more. People who know what they're doing see people who dont know what they're doing and offer to help out. This sport is about having fun, not beauocratic involvement and complicating matters. sorry forest, JMO, i think what the CGKA has going for us is great and we got all our bases covered and we're all having lots of fun doing it (both kiting and being a part of the CGKA).

I feel like even having a topic entitled "ideas for legitimacy" is spreading FUD giving other people the idea that even people from within our community dont consider themselves legitimate. Rolling Eyes

forrest · Tue Jun 05, 07 4:13 pm

No sweat man, I don't feel like you slammed me. This is just a discussion and these are just ideas.

So, I'm off on this idea because of the content of the post from "Windsurfing FUD" where they used kiting newbies against us to make us look bad on that GorgeWindsurfer mailing list.

I just think we need to regulate just a little more. You're right about a club, I was yawning just thinking about it, but I wanted to at least come up with one idea to get the information flowing.

Again, my whole point is that we need to regulate a little more. People shouldn't be flying kites at the Sandbar if they haven't taken a lesson. We need some way of telling people we mean business about taking lessons.

forrest · Tue Jun 05, 07 4:18 pm

This is also easier if I could just ignore it when I see people doing really wretched shit on the weekends. But I can't. I feel someone responsible for the actions of other people when I can stop them from hurting themselves before the shit his the fan and they go hot launching off. It's like failure to stop and help after an accident... We all have an obligation.

But, I'd rather kite than baby sit, so we need to keep these people away.

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

I described in another thread about an encounter with a guy trying to teach his kid how to kite in too much wind in the shallows above rocks/logs this weekend.... It was one of those situations where I didn't really want to be a dick but I had to say a few things that made me sound that way I think. It didn't ruin my day (it was too good of a day for that) but I smiled a bit less for the rest of that session.

Maybe that's one reason why we don't always intervine when we see kooks doing kooky things. Because nobody wants to seem like an asshole for telling people they are being kooks. Then again I don't want to see this kid get lofted into the rocks and drug through them head first with no helmet either.

Do we want to have vicious localism surf style culture? No... but we do need to regulate the kooky stuff a bit I think.

Then again, he who hasn't kooked out now and then be the one to cast the first stone (it wouldn't be me.)

Confused

mschulz · Since 29 May 2007 530 Posts Reno, NV Addicted

I think you should all keep making people aware when they start doing something stupid. I am new at the sport and I took my lessons and learned some good skills, but I know I do not know everything. When I am on the spit and doing something really dumb that might make my day go south, I welcome the "Hey man, let me show you how.... Let me help you out.... Have you thought of... Etc" Comes across great and I listen. When I get my hours up I plan to do the same. Unfortunately there are some people who will not listen the first time, but when someone else approaches, they will probably listen. Just a thought. I can't imagine life with out this sport.

I love the dialog here on NWKITE and learn new stuff every time I read it. Keep it up.

forrest · Tue Jun 05, 07 5:20 pm

That's an interesting point to Phk. Do we also want to continue letting people teach who aren't qualified? This includes me, I teach my friends and wife, and I don't hold any qualifications other than my own abilities.

I guess it boils down to do we want to do something about this (this being under-qualification and how it endangers yourself or others) as an group or continue letting it be a personal choice to intervene or not?

Spike · Since 13 May 2007 1414 Posts Alameda Spelling Expert

As a newbie... (I can't resist)
I think many people who don't take lessons have no idea of the dangers of kiteboarding. I had always figured it would be "tricky" but didn't know that simply holding a kite over your head could spell potential disaster for you (i.e. getting lofted 50 ft in a gust and getting thrown into rocks downwind) Things like kite lines tangling around your feet (experienced this firsthand last week, fortunately in light winds with no barges bearing down on me). My point is that before I took lessons I was not at all aware of the dangers. If we can somehow make people aware of these dangers by putting up a sign (I hate the thought of it) informing the cheapskates about why it is risky to be out without having taken lessons, it might help some people realize what they are exposing themselves and others to. Kind of like ski resorts have those stickers "call your drop" or "look before you leap" that you see on the ski lift towers as you go up.

Garret · Since 07 Sep 2006 254 Posts Portland Obsessed

I agree with PKH- I think we can do all of us a service by telling someone if they are doing something kooky. I wonder if on really busy weekends if it might not make sense to have someone volunteer a little time to walk around the spit keep an eye out for the new kiters who might need a little advice-- I would be happy to help. I am not the most experienced kiter, but can spot some of the mistakes. I think an official club would be bad for the growth of the sport on the sand spit.

forrest · Wed Jun 06, 07 6:10 am

That's a good idea Garret. I would volunteer some time as well.

tonyb · Wed Jun 06, 07 6:21 am

It is hard to walk up to someone and be the asshole of the moment but it is the right thing to do if you see someone doing something that is going to hurt themselves or someone else. We can snicker and let pass the guy trying to use a wakeboard, kayak life jacket and a 2002 two line kite ( Shocked

that sounds like me at one point!), but we really need to say something when people are rigging up wrong, are in the wrong spot, or just don't have a clue as to the local dangers.

Sometimes the best way to approach these situations is to stop for 10 or 15 minutes and help out. Give a lesson, help move someone to a safer spot, fix their gear, etc...

I know when I was starting out I really appreciated the time people spent with me to show me how not to get lofted, how to get out of the way, and how to not crash right in front of the beach blocking the way for everybody else.

I agree with Phil on not generating the locals only or experienced riders only culture up here. We all started out as complete noobs at one point and nobody was telling us not to kite in "their" spot. I'd rather work on generating a culture of respect, fun, and safety where we look out for and help each other when needed, be it on the water or on the beach.

forrest · Wed Jun 06, 07 6:31 am

Right on Tony, I agree too. But how do you do that while you're kiting?

For example when we're all running a rotation through the kiddie pool and someone comes to teach their kid/spouse/friend right in the way of everyone? Or when people take beginners right upwind of the logs. How do you politely tell someone they're in the way when you're kiting or in the wrong place?

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

forrest · Wed Jun 06, 07 6:45 am

hehe, I didn't mean "how" do you do it. What do you say to them to get your point across without having them think you're telling them to leave or what not.

I think it's totally cool if someone wants to stand with their friend in Shallow water and show them how to relaunch a kite... Just don't do it in the middle of a high traffic area. It's not fair to other people.

I still think about how kiters shouldn't have to constantly fight to keep other beginning kiters out of places they shouldn't be. To me this is an organization issue that we should address as a unified voice under CGKA.

tonyb · Wed Jun 06, 07 7:13 am

I think you go by at 25 mph, boosting a big gnarly tweaked out grab and shout something like "get the ---- outa the way you goofy kook!!!" Very Happy

No, actually a good point, very hard to do while you're on the water. Takes people on the beach in between sessions. Maybe our cool photographers can do the shout out and make friends at the same time. Do it with smiles and promises of fame and glory on nwkite!

Without getting into rules and regulations maybe some simple signs titled "Considerations for Kiters" and list out the main points for people to think about. Nothing that says "you must" or "no this or that..." Some simple etiquette stuff that helps with the safety side of things. There's something like this at Bob's Beach in Stevenson where the windsurfers launch that points out you might want to have a good wetsuit to avoid hypothermia, and a few other tips without getting into rules and regs.

forrest · Wed Jun 06, 07 7:37 am

boardrider · Since 05 Apr 2006 1034 Posts Ventura, CA XTreme Poster