2007 Blowout This Saturday

pacifichigh · Since 11 May 2005 1004 Posts ATX Texan

Time to Rally

North Sports and Dakine came on board after marketing materials went to press.

Support the companies that make events like this possible.

chanson · Since 31 Jan 2006 1873 Posts WISCONSIN Chimey

Nice poster....

So, what kind of water assistance is going to be avail?
And, are there any early take-out spots that people have used in the past.....?

Any level welcome to race...?

Kataku2k3 · Since 14 Aug 2005 3753 Posts Los Angeles, CA Videographer

I used the "take out" about a mile past the truck weigh station on the Oregon side (nice sharp big rocks to roll your kite up on, then you get to hike over pointy bushes, train track, and then more pointy bushes/grass ~5 miles out of HR). Viento works too! Laughing

pacifichigh · Since 11 May 2005 1004 Posts ATX Texan

In the event of a break down, racers are encouraged to head for the Washington side, as we will have a shuttle running.

There will be 4 PWC on the water

A 17 mile downwinder is a fairly serious endevour that should only be undertaken by experianced pilots.

gabe · Since 16 May 2005 475 Posts Obsessed

can anyone who has done this race before comment on how it typically is? how much does the wind vary along the stretch? is it as bad as i have heard in the narrow middle section? how many people drop kites there? do people tend to rig much bigger than they would for the stevenson wind or what?

do people tend to ride directly downwind most of it, or is it more about broad reaching at angles?

overall, is it actually fun for 17miles, or just an exercise in competitive drudgery that makes you wish you were actually doing something interesting with the downwind distance?

apart from the waterski gear, what has been the second most successful equipment and technique?

by the way, what do you think is longest stretch of kitable river with good wind? looks like it would be john day damn out past 3 mile to umatilla or so. something like 70 miles.

Kataku2k3 · Since 14 Aug 2005 3753 Posts Los Angeles, CA Videographer

Haven't actually done the race before, but Nate, Tucker, Shy, and me did the downwinder last summer. Starting off at overpowered 7m (at least for normal riding), it was fine until the first narrow channel after Home Valley. On my '05 Fuel 7 I was getting my ass handed to me (it was probably ~40 - Nate had his Switchblade 7, Tucker a Link 7, and Shy on an '06 Fuel 9). In the next few miles, I managed to slam my kite down and deflate it, Shy had to get out at Viento (wind got light), with only Nate and Tucker barely making it through. Fun times!

railgrab · Since 29 Mar 2005 177 Posts Seattle, WA Stoked

2 Saturdays ago, I left Stevenson well powered on my 9. I was very wind shadowed on the lee of Wind Mtn before hitting overpowering gusts at Viento. The rest of the Seattle crew completed the trip from Viento to HR on 6s and 7s. This year, I plan to take an extra large kite while wearing a backpack full of rocks. If the wind dies, I'll jettison the extra weight and smoke you all!!!... that, or I'll crash my kite and you'll find me at the bottom of the river.

Ethan

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

if anybody wants to go for it... i have a pair of jumpers you could borrow... their fast, and floaty.... that's what the racers are wearing.

unfortunately, they have small bindings, and unless you have <8's, your feet are going to hurt at the end.

pacifichigh · Since 11 May 2005 1004 Posts ATX Texan

The race is going to be capped at 50 people, so email or pm me your contact info to reserve a space.

Kataku2k3 · Since 14 Aug 2005 3753 Posts Los Angeles, CA Videographer

Brett's going to cheat and use his hydrofoil! We should make him do an upwinder from the Sandbar to Stevenson!!! Thumb's Up

Pepi · Tue Aug 07, 07 8:35 am

Ths is going to sound lame, but using a Reel Leash is not a bad idea for the Blowout.
The reason being, is that when you are smoking straight downwind and wipe out you tend to get a fair amount of distance between you and your board, then you have to burn up a ton of valuable time body dragging all the way back upwind to get the board.
Also, there are some superf%*king hairball gusts and lulls along the bends and turns of the river that are almost impossible to body drag back upwind in, unless you have a 5th line that allows you to swim pulling your kite upwind in leash-mode.

I know I'll get a beating for posting this, but it is just something to consider for those kiters that have or use a Reel Leash.

The Blowout is a commitment thing, so it can be all or nothing, just ask Corey who runs it on Jump Waterskis with his Delta kite.

Also, yes, the narrows sucks balls, but getting downt to Viento is the bigger challenge, so no matter how hard things get in the narrows try your best to conserve your energy for Viento to HR.

I'm bummed I'll not be there, but I have a trade show that I have too attend in Utah.

Pepi

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

Rig big or go for small and loopy... that's another question I have.

I think I am going to do it on my twintip, but also thought about straps on the surfboard might be good if its lighter.

chanson · Since 31 Jan 2006 1873 Posts WISCONSIN Chimey

I am thinking straps on the surfboard for sure....

Huge nose, point-it and go!! Very Happy

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

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

Kodiak · Since 01 Aug 2005 1114 Posts Slidey

I am almost tempted to ride it on my windsurf board. I think the straps are too far back though.

magicmaker · Since 29 Oct 2006 895 Posts da Hood Opinionated

I'm planning on doing a downwinder from Viento on Thursday around like 3pm and just having my girlfriend drop me off. She has one open seat in her car if anybody else from HR wants to go? Wouldn't mind the company on the downwinder either.