Is there a "buffer" distance for WS races?

jbruxer · Since 24 Jul 2005 398 Posts Beaverton, OR Obsessed

Alright, so I am down at Hood River today with all the rest of the areas kiters (so it seems) and I noticed that there was also a windsurfing competition going on. "No biggie" I think to myself, "I'll just keep an extra I out for the swarms of windsurfers!" After pumping up my kite, and getting things ready to go, I gave the beach a quick scan just to see who was coming and going. In doing so, I noticed several things, one of which was the fact that it seemed like kiters and windsurfers could share the river even though the had a race going on. This seemed logical as the rules of the water should apply the same way!

So, I head out! After a few tacks I make my way up to the bridge. Yes, in doing so I cut through the race course a few times, but nothing seemed wrong. No dirty looks, no close calls, nothing!... just kiting as usual!

However, I noticed that when I got close to the race boat parked way out in the middle of the river, there was someone taking pictures of what looked like me! "Thats odd!" I think to myself. Why would that lady be taking pictures of a kiter when she is a w.s. race official? Then the thoughts start flowing.

So, I guess this gets to my question. Is there some sort of unwritten "buffer" distance between kiters and w.s's and w.s' races? Should I be worried that my picture will end up on a "Wanted" poster? Should I even give a rat's ass? Confused

Thoughts?

pdxmonkeyboy · Sat Aug 04, 07 9:29 pm

I wouldn't sweat it. Last I remember, the Columbia river is still a public waterbody and you have jsut as much right to be there as anyone else. It's definitely not the coolest thing to be kiting through a windsurf race (just as much as you wouldn't want some dufous tacking back in forth during the BOG contest) but I wouldn't loose any sleep over it.

Pepi · Sat Aug 04, 07 10:35 pm

I've personally been involved with the local racing fleet for over 10 years and the racers are a friendly group who recognize that they do not own the river, but share it.
The only courtesy that the racers would like to expect from other sailors and kiters is to stay away from the starting line when it appears that there is a race start sequence in progress ( there will be 12-30 sailors all in a pack, pretty hard to miss).
The racers are all usually pretty good sailors and when on the race course are attempting to sail the fastest and most direct line upwind or downwind across the course. This being, if you see a racer heading in a particular direction, they will likely be attempting to avoid changing their course as much as possible when changing course to avoid other sailors or kiters.

Hope that this helps.

Pepi