Hood River Kiteboarding Guidelines - DRAFT

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

Looking good!!

Just for fun we should put a big "KOOKS" with a circle and then a slash through the middle sign right on top of the pamphlet Very Happy

J/K

SalmonSlayer · Since 27 Nov 2005 648 Posts Addicted **CGKA Member**

Perhaps it is nit picky but ...

• Older kites that cannot be de-powered properly can be very dangerous. Kite and bar technology has gotten dramatically safer since 2005. Consider this before going out on an old kite.

I read this as 2006 and later equipment is ok, but it could also be read to include 2005 if the reader is not careful.

Here is a suggestion.

• Older kites that cannot be de-powered properly can be very dangerous. Kite and bar safety dramatically improved after 2005. Consider this before going out on kite equipment that is older than 2006 .

rich · Since 30 Nov 2005 306 Posts portland Obsessed

Most of those points would apply to any launch. Nice job

Hein · Since 08 Mar 2005 1314 Posts Possessed

I don't think that a cut off date for acceptable equipment is a good idea.
There are quite a few vintage kites that fly very well.

Perhaps a suggestion to have older gear checked out by a qualified shop.
Maybe all beginners should have their gear checked by their instructor or
a qualified shop tech before using it.

Since this will become a Port document, we don't want to put them in the
position of decreeing what equipment is suitable or safe.

-Hein

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

I think having some date on there is good, but it doesn't need to be as recent as 2006. Realistically we just want to prevent somebody showing up with 2002 kites and getting drug head first into something (like what happened last year.)

Yes I know there are some guys on older gear who can rip, but this brochure isn't geared towards them.

I think there are a lot of people out there who have no idea that there is a big difference between a 2002 kite/bar and a 2005 kite/bar.

Hein · Since 08 Mar 2005 1314 Posts Possessed

Good points, Phillip. Editing something like this can go on and on.
Especially if you have guys like me poking holes in your latest
copy while I sip my morning coffee Laughing

Thanks for taking on the assignment. Your efforts will make the
sandbar a better and safer place to ride. Thumb's Up

-Hein

Portland Pete · Since 08 Mar 2005 145 Posts HR Stoked

I really like the handout, keep up the good work.
The handout is easy to read, clear and simple.
I am sure it will evolve the more people get to review its verbage.
Pete

SalmonSlayer · Since 27 Nov 2005 648 Posts Addicted **CGKA Member**

tonyb · Wed Dec 05, 07 9:26 am

I'm not so sure that 2005 is the right date. Didn't North introduce their 5th element in '05? Also SS and Best and some others had a 5th line system in '05 that made the whole safety/release work a lot better than the '04 and earlier systems.

I agree that kites got safer and easier to use as of '06 but I think the transition from very limited depower and poorly designed wrist leash systems began in '04 and was in full swing in '05.

So, not to throw water on the whole idea but I think someone on a properly equipped '05 North Vegas has just as safe equipment as someone on a properly equipped '07 SS Fuel. Even now with the new '08 gear there are people that make unsafe mods to their bars, harnesses, leashes and kites that can negate all of the positive safety aspects that have been designed into their gear.

I still think the caution about using older gear is appropriate as it is more likely to have been bought by a noob who doesn't know any better, hasn't had any lessons, and is probably not as safe as the newer gear. Just be careful on how the statement is worded.

Tony

Mark · Wed Dec 05, 07 10:45 am

How about...

C kites kill! Wink

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

Tried to combine the ideas and not stick a date on it, just said: "• Older kites that cannot be de-powered properly can be very dangerous. Kite and bar technology has gotten dramatically safer in the last two years. Talk to an instructor or shop tech before going out on older gear."

That way we aren't dating the material, assuming kite technology keeps getting better/safer we are just saying to get the nod from shops/schools before rigging up some deadly old gear.

Sounds good?

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

I like the way you worded it Phily Phil.

kitezilla · Since 22 Jun 2006 453 Posts gorge Obsessed

[quote="pkh"]Tried to combine the ideas and not stick a date on it, just said: "• Older kites that cannot be de-powered properly can be very dangerous. Kite and bar technology has gotten dramatically safer in the last two years.

.................................................................

I would like to make the point that, in general, what you say is true: "Kite and bar technology has gotten dramatically safer in the last two years. ",...but, this is not necessarily the case, if the rider chooses to rig the safety leash to the chicken loop in the "suicide" style...because, in a tangle with another kiter, the kite does not "flag" out and, with subsequent looping of the kite, and the resultant constriction of the lines, the kite is much more likely to retain and gain more and more power, than a kite which is completely flagged out on a safety leash.

So, here is a possible "rule" which, no doubt, would be quite unpopular with the more advanced kiters, but would be a step forward if we are truly interested in "safety":

RULE:

All kites must be rigged, using a safety leash system, which will completely "FLAG" the kite. As a result of the high density of kiteboarders on the water in the vicinity of the sandbar, one kite tangling lines with another kite, is a likely occurrence, and presents a potentially deadly situation, if either or both, kiteboarders are unable to completely flag their kite onto a safety leash. Therefore, kites rigged with a "suicide" leash will not be allowed near the launch and landing area, or, where there is a high density of kiteboarders. Be considerate of other's welfare, inadvertent inter-kite tangling does occur.

This "rule" would be hard to enforce, but may help to prevent the banning of kiteboarding, at the Spit, if an incident, such as that involving the death of Silke Gore, occurs. The kiteboarding association could make the case that the death occured as a result of the violation of an accepted "rule", and not as a result of the inherent danger of the activity of kiteboarding.

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

The main idea behind the hand out is to inform and point newbies in the right direction. I don't think we should start trying to regulate how experienced riders choose to rig their gear.

The problem is not with advanced riders at all, its with newbies and visitors who make bad choices.

And I specifically picked the word "Guidelines" over "Rules" because my goal is not to set a precedent of regulation by the Port. Educate and guide, and lets see where that leads us.

Also the accident you site occurred in 2002, before quick releases were common in kite gear. Part of the idea behind the recommendation that kiters keep their gear up to date with the latest safety features.

Garret · Since 07 Sep 2006 254 Posts Portland Obsessed

Phil- I think this looks really good. The idea of simply raising awareness of the issues without getting into the nitty-gritty specifics is the way to go. This is for beginners and kiters new to the area, not for experienced riders. Experienced kiters should know better or atleast already understand the risks they are taking. Thanks Phil for doing this.

Not to actually point out the elephant in the room, but wasn't the CGKA supposed to be working on this and what ever happened to the elections?

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

Yeah CGKA is helping, shredjim (Jim Grady) is working the Port side of it and got them to go with the idea. He also got me a sample brochure from SPI. I agreed to do the text.

When we are all done Jim can take the finished product back to the Port and they can get it printed up and distribute it at the booth.