should we lobby to develop kite access at rowena?

endoshred · Since 22 May 2006 232 Posts HR Stoked

in the days of older C kites this place was a devil gust festival with a challenging lava bed launch. still we would kite there many days in the past. i never see many kiters out there now. there is no reason for this. the new kites make the most gusty rowena days easy. it seems we could raise funds to develop the eastern half of the rowena beach where windsurfers avoid at this point. make a safe launch by leveling the rocks and throwing down gravel like on the western side. great parking. grassy areas for families. a perfect place for launching downwinders to the great afternoon swell of dougs and further east. windsurfed there for years. the river between dougs and rowena rocks. it is time for the windsurfers to share that place with kiters. lyle is too small to handle crowds. we need access to this corrador of wind and swell. advanced and expert riders can still launch and land there in its current condition. we just need more kiters to just make the move to this spot.

tstansbury · Since 06 Jun 2006 649 Posts Rowena and P.C Addicted

It would be a great place with a some round rocks and some solid anchors for solo launching.

Rico · Since 13 Mar 2005 1219 Posts Vancouver Photographer

Even with new kites Rowena can be very punchy most the time.

pauls · Since 20 Jun 2005 564 Posts Northern Portugal Addicted

Better access at Rowena would be great. I went there on Saturday after a session at Lyle to take my first look in probably 3 years. Launch at the east end didn't look too bad for getting out but coming back in would be a pain without someone to assist. Windsurfer mostly stick to the west end with the shorter walk across the rocks. Nice alternative to Secret Spot for those with no jetski.

Ryan · Since 14 Jul 2005 538 Posts Oregon Addicted

Scott,

this is a great idea. I have kited there many times and had great days. The east end of the park is where I have launched before and makes the most sense to me. the little bay offers and easy drift launch and some great flat water. the hardest part is laying out your lines and moving to the water with the lava rock.

I think it would take a lot of work to make it 'easy' to launch and land from but in the end worth it.

Parking would be another concern, the place is full already when its windy. its also a state park so there is a fee to use the park.

Ryan

Ryan · Since 14 Jul 2005 538 Posts Oregon Addicted

Scott,

this is a great idea. I have kited there many times and had great days. The east end of the park is where I have launched before and makes the most sense to me. the little bay offers and easy drift launch and some great flat water. the hardest part is laying out your lines and moving to the water with the lava rock.

I think it would take a lot of work to make it 'easy' to launch and land from but in the end worth it.

Parking would be another concern, the place is full already when its windy. its also a state park so there is a fee to use the park.

Ryan

blancoh2o · Since 15 Mar 2005 1154 Posts Oregon Phishy

I elect EndoShred as the Official CGKA Rowena launch improvement coordinator. Thanks for stepping up Scott! seriously though, if you think this is a good setup. Please come to a CGKA meeting and present your idea. We can help make this happen.

endoshred · Since 22 May 2006 232 Posts HR Stoked

for those that have not experienced the wind there it can be punchy but you dont have to kite right there. people seem to worship secret spot and it is just down the beach 1-2 miles. just launch and head a bit down wind and there it is open water with little traffic. only a few windsurfers seem to venture down to the areas between rowena and dougs and it can be amazing. i have been going down to rowena several times this year to check the crowds and honestly it is much less crowded than past years. there is plenty of parking on most days and only whe it gets very windy does the lot fill up. we kiters would be there earlier than the windsurfers due to needing less wind. the cgwa worked hard to make this launch happen with the state parks and they would probably fight any efforts to have the launch shared. also not sure what environmental hurdles there would be to any light grading or leveling of the site. but the only way to work to this goal is for us kiters to start traveling there and using it. no need to develop a plan until there are kiters already using the site. right now i just launch wher the windsurfers launch. there is no rules prohibiting this. problem is there are not many windsurfers there that know how to launch us. self landing is not a problem. just getting a launch. i recommend before we push for a new launch lets just make a call to everyone to at least try it out. just remember it is in its current state a slightly unforgiving launch. you do not want to get drug on this beach. booties are not a bad idea.

nothing better than an evening session at rowena and dougs.

pdxmonkeyboy · Tue Jul 08, 08 7:59 am

I have kited there and although it can be pretty gusty, you can boost pretty big.

The launch wasn't that bad, (we launched from the west edge). The windsurfers response to our presence was to be expected. Some were really cool, other were mildly annoyed, and a select few were just assholes. In the end, some people like to share and some don't.

I think that establishing somewhat of a presence their would be a good first step towards getting it improved as a KB launch.

kgiesler · Since 08 May 2007 24 Posts

Great idea! As you know there is a very tight crew of pole boarders at Rowena, many of whom have a "Hands on" investment in establishing this area as a windsurf spot and may take issue with an established kite launch. My guess, the state of OR will not allow kites if there is a vocal and organized opposition from the windsurf community. As a first step: what do you say you and I sponsor a BBQ/beer/kite event and get a bunch of kiters to do their thing for the Rowena crew? Raffle off a couple trainer kites, maybe a kite lesson? Possibly talk to Arthur, Mike, Fred, Mark et al first? If you set it up, I'll donate the cash. The last time we kited there, seemed like many of the most die-hard Rowena crew were cool with kiters and even expressed an interest in giving it a go.

tstansbury · Since 06 Jun 2006 649 Posts Rowena and P.C Addicted

several of us (especially) Scott have spent a lot of time ws at Rowena I don't think their would be a problem with the crew. If we set up a launch at the far east end it gets verry little use.

pauls · Since 20 Jun 2005 564 Posts Northern Portugal Addicted

I don't think the WS would be too bothered by the actually launching and landing of kites at the east end it'll be how they mix on the water. If kites go down wind it'll probably be fine if we go upwind among the main WS fleet they will perceive they are in danger even if they are not. Many windsurfers who don't kite are scared of kites and scared people get really pissy!! We can be smug amongst ourselves knowing they are wrong, have plenty of room, stoopid pole boarders etc but they'll still be upset and complain to anyone who'll listen. My wife still WS and complains about kiters regularly - kiters are usually actually fine but to a non-kiter the situation looked really dangerous. We can be aware of this and ride accordingly or we can take the tough shit it's a public river i'll ride where i like as long as i don't actually hit anyone attitude BUT we may end up losing the launch.

Mocean · Since 21 Sep 2005 343 Posts Newport Obsessed

Years ago I worked for Wasco County and the County and the State were discussing development of Rowena State Park. The east area where the little cove is is an identified Native American cultural site. I'd check this out before you guys put any resources into this.

tstansbury · Since 06 Jun 2006 649 Posts Rowena and P.C Addicted

I think they have the historic site all fenced off. the launch would not need to be that far east to be out of the ws way.

Pepi · Tue Jul 08, 08 1:23 pm

Kodiak · Since 01 Aug 2005 1114 Posts Slidey

Doing a Rowena "cleanup" would be one of the first items on the list. One of the biggest problems is the ammount of broken glass all over the place.

tstansbury · Since 06 Jun 2006 649 Posts Rowena and P.C Addicted

Scott lets do a Rowena sesh on Thursday to scope it out.