Hood River Kiteboarding Guidelines - DRAFT

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

Hey all let me know what you think of this, its open for comments and change. This is the flier we talked about awhile back. The Port has agreed to hand this out at the ticket booth to newbies and visitors from out of town. I thought a spectator section might be good too.

Thanks to shredjim for handling the Port side of this and getting me a sample from SPI!

http://www.nwkite.com/downloads/HRKBGuide.rtf

Oh and I was thinking if we could make it double-sided we could put the standard map on the back:

http://www.portofhoodriver.com/Port%20Waterfront%20AccessZones.pdf

shredjim · Since 07 Jun 2006 188 Posts Stoked

Outstanding pkh! and thanks for taking the lead on this project. I like the idea of a spectator section - I get real nervous when I see mom's with stollers and children out where people are launching and landing. BTW - I looked on-line and saw the Hood River is HUGE - check out this link http://www.wkcc.org/levels/?f=7m1 so I went down and looked at it tonight from the foot bridge at the base of the spit. River looked real big, with a few big logs coming down, but nothing like last year. Hope everyone is in the mood for at least one cleanup this spring!

Hein · Since 08 Mar 2005 1314 Posts Possessed

looks good but could use some grammatical correction in a few places.

I'm not sure this sounds too good:

"Kiteboarding is dangerous and responsible for many rider fatalities each year."

How about:

Kiteboarding is an extreme sport and can be dangerous to the participant
and people nearby . A kiteboarding accident can result in severe injury
or death. Common causes for accidents are:

-Hein

tonyb · Tue Dec 04, 07 7:24 am

Looks good. Still a couple of typo's. If I get time later I'll mark it up for you.

Ryan · Since 14 Jul 2005 538 Posts Oregon Addicted

Is there any talk about inhancing the 'kiteboarding launch area' west of the spit near the Hook? Right now its a steep rocky launch, but a loads of sand (from the spit) might stay in place there.

unless something is done its crazy to think the port would suggest this is an ok place to launch.

this seems like an obvious spot to launch from for those that would rather kite up near Wells or the While Salmon river despite the wind shadow.

anyone?

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

Thanks for the tips! Updated:

http://www.nwkite.com/downloads/HRKBGuide.rtf

forrest · Tue Dec 04, 07 10:11 am **Re: launch area**

Not to derail this thread, but there hasn't been any talk. I think the best thing we can all do is just take some carpet up there and lay it down for landing/launching and climbing out of the water. It's very dangerous, that's for sure.

Moto · Since 03 Sep 2006 2698 Posts Still a gojo pimp! Moto Mouth

There is a lot of information on this handout - which is great. But I think we should give emphasis to certain bullet points - put them up towards the top and in bold. All of this is important - but I think we should put in bold: "Kite at your own risk . . . there are no port sponsored jet skiis or boats" or something to that effect. I have over heard discussions on the beach - there is a belief among some newbies that the port sponsors jet skii rescues. Its important to know that these people must take responsibility for themselves - or they are on their own!!

pdxmonkeyboy · Tue Dec 04, 07 12:38 pm

Looks great although I do agree that some bolding or underlining would be appropriate to draw attention to the important points.

Maybe there should be something to the effect that those participants that are untrained or obviously dangerous will be asked to leave.

I also like the idea of emphasizing no lifeguards or rescue options.

Great job on taking the lead on this one!

forrest · Tue Dec 04, 07 1:09 pm

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

Okay I added some underlines... I actually had a lot bolded before but I took it out because really I want people to read the whole thing.

The underlines seem to work well though, let me know what you all think.

There are so many people that visit the sandbar from out of town and plenty of people who only come out once or twice a year. This is our opportunity to inform those folks so they don't kook out the beach.

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

I don't know if we really want to bring the law into this, don't we want to look like we are being a self managing community?

I am hoping the hand-out will go a long way towards cleaning up the kookfest.

Mark · Tue Dec 04, 07 2:10 pm

Good job! I think this is a step in the right direction. Would like to add:

This is NOT a Public beach. The beach is to the East. This is a public Kite launch and landing sand spit.

or something equivelent.. Just trying to get the "beach go'rs" to move to the beach. Its not safe having families cruize the kite beach.

pdxmonkeyboy · Tue Dec 04, 07 2:22 pm

I personally don't want the police down on the beach, but there should be something to the effect that if your acting like a clown, you WILL be asked to leave.

There needs to be some statement that would make someone think twice about just buying a kite and going down to the sandbar to learn on his own (because it is a beginner spot). People need to know that this is NOT ok.

forrest · Tue Dec 04, 07 2:37 pm

I just couldn't think of a better way of saying that "If you're a beginner who's gonna go it alone, you really should go it alone and not around everyone else"

Sella · Tue Dec 04, 07 7:22 pm

GREAT IDEA...and when I was a newbie I wish I had something like this because I would have read every word on this pamphlet. Possibly add something about; 1. "Should have full knowledge/experience of releasing and reattaching your safety systems while in the water during severe weather conditions". 2. "Board leash = helmet" or "must be proficient at body dragging upwind to recapture lost kiteboard". Overall Phil I applaud your proactiveness and foresee a raging party to help fund the signage.

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

Okay here's the new version, tried to incorporate as many of the suggestions as possible:

http://www.nwkite.com/downloads/HRKBGuide.rtf