DC Barbwire Beach Ban

[Kenny]

Sorry, if the title made your heart skip a beat. However, I think we need to discuss this issue to preempt a ban from occurring. Barbwire beach has all of the potential elements to create a kitemare - onshore, gusty wind, road downwind of launch, power lines downwind, and homes downwind. Add to that new users that don't even bother to take a lesson. We have had a few nasty incidents already, but if we don't come up with some good solutions - it will happen and don't think that the area can't be shutdown. You can almost count on it since the property is leased to a private individual. If you don't believe me spend some time reading the kite forum. Read about how many beaches have been shutdown in other parts of the US due to one or two knuckleheads.

My suggestion is that we police ourselves. I personally am not a confrontational person, but when I think of losing one of our bedtime riding locations, I can muster up the courage. I am not talking about acting like a jerk. I think we need to ascertain skill level with all new kiters and go out of our way to make their experience safe. However, if a new rider is about to do something stupid, I suggest that we rally together to stop a stupid act from occurring (launching too large of a kite, using unsafe gear, etc.).

One more thing, don't bring your newbie friend to DC, give them a couple pointers and a kite and go out and ride. That is the scenario that will get DC shut down. If you want to teach your friends, do us all a favor and start them on the snow on a small trainer kite.

[Todd Jacques]

Kenny
Rock on my friend. Nicely said.
Correct me if I am wrong, but the guy who gave me a ride back from my walk of shame told me that the federal government owned the land we use, BLM? I intend to go to public records and find out who owns the land. simple just put the effort in and Google will provide.
if the gov owns the land, we should rally!!
or we should slow the roll!!
If this is a private owner we might have a chance, but if the feds own it, all bets are off. meaning we should unite and protect...
my .02's

[bordy]

Kenny, Where have you been?

Take at look at this..

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=7583

[bigwavedave]

I think we should see about having a wall of razorwire put in between the launch and the road . . . just so no one gets dragged into a car or something that might cause a public outrage.

[John Guay]

I didn't weigh in on the last thread that Billy refers to but after some thought I will now. I think we are all in agreement that we need to police ourselves to help prevent a catastrophic incident. Part of that is helping each other launch/land and speak to newbies to assess their skills and ability to kite at DCBB.

The more controversial topic is my friend Don and his school. I know Don has had a boat load of input about teaching beginners at DCBB but I'll give mine. I think Deer Creek has potential to be a viable teaching location if it is jet ski assisted. The Gorge has similar challenging conditions and there are several schools in Hood River who do a great job with the use of jet skis. They do dry land and then head up river where they have space to work safely on the water. When they're finished they deflate the kite and return to the beach safely. I took lessons in that manner and loved it. I was body dragging both directions in the first half hour on the water and then I was learning to get the board on and water start. When I'd drop the kite and a bad way my instructor could get the kite in easy position to relaunch and speed up my progress. He could also switch with me and demonstrate while I sat on the jet ski. I kept notes of my progress compared to students who worked off the sandbar and there was no comparison. I was on my own in the river when these students were still standing in shallow water trying to learn kite skills and learn to body drag.

There will still be some issues as students leave the security of the jet ski and learn how launch a kite and walk to the water. ULLB would probably be better for that. The schools in the Gorge are not able to do that under their insurance and I would encourage Don to investigate his coverage. If you're reading this post Don please give it some thought and keep your eye on KSL.com for used jet skis.

[bigwavedave]

I think an SUP with a trolling motor would do the job.

[Kenny]

Billy, Yeah I missed Marty's sign thread.

Read the thread - wish it was the case that we lived in the Wild West where you could live and die in the manner that you so desired. Unfortunately, we live in the day and age of trial lawyers and frivolous lawsuits. None of the launches are solid or guaranteed. All are subject to being shutdown. We have to face the fact that our sport is highly visible, potentially dangerous, and takes a lot of space to perform safely. Launch spots are disappearing around the country and it is the attitude that "I can do whatever I like as long as I don't hurt anyone else" that causes the problem. So what happens when you decide to jump the jetty at UL, don't make it and end up as a vegetable. Your spouse and or kids decide to sue EVERYONE including the land owner, local jurisdiction (for not posting signs that you should not be a numskull), the kite manufacturer, and anyone else that can possibly be named.

So, what do we do? We self-regulate before others either shut us down or regulate us out of existence.

[bradsaxe]

I think an SUP with a trolling motor would do the job.

this is most certainly not enough. How would you respond if there was an emergency? I can't believe this is even a suggestion.

[Craig Goudie]

Brad,

You just need to know BWD a little better, he wasn't remotely serious.

-Craig

I think an SUP with a trolling motor would do the job.

this is most certainly not enough. How would you respond if there was an emergency? I can't believe this is even a suggestion.

[bigwavedave]

sorry. I forgot to use the sarcasm punctuation marks. How about an SUP with a rocket engine? (by the way . . . what are the sarcasm punctuation marks and how do you use them?) (oh and where has anyone seen an sup with a trolling motor?)

[RickHeninger]

Hmmm... That's quite a difficult thing to engineer Dave... Quite possibly you just might have to bring a whiteboard a draw up the schematics to this device with graphics etc. It might have to be licensed too. We'll put it before the board. No pun intended. Yeah, and I'm going to have to ask you to move your cubicle, yeah... Oh, and, did you get the memo about the new coversheets to the accounting reports, yeah, I'm going to have to ask you to put that coversheet. And yeah, I'm going to want that red swingline stapler returned. Oh and can you come in on Saturday...

Sorry, there was just a little more mileage left in this one. (and sorry Bradsaxe but your taking that literally was just too irresistable. No offense).


Maybe a windsurfer with red light on his hat and a blue light special on top of his mast on a 1982 model windsurfer (so as to add to the intimidation) to police kiting sites... Wearing NASA diaper so as not to take away from patrol time having to use the latrine

In all seriousness, I think that a few people are moving forward on figuring out some signage that can be distributed to the kiting community who can put up the signs and take them down when they leave. This would bring attention to kiters to be safer and yet not bring attention to the issue when people aren't there. Magnetic car signs, small stick in the ground post signs... Man, this is a bit of a quagmire... But definitely important.

[hedquista]

Rick,

I like the idea of setup take down banner or sign. We can get a banner and use vinyl lettering (uv resistant) and it would be relatively cheap. you can even put flyers out for lessons so they know that is the way they really need to get into the sport. Rebar and pvc pipe (or electrical for a more sturdy construction). Really just as a warning or info for the bystanders. When there were few of us I felt that people had no problem coming up to ask questions. but now that there is a gaggle of us out there... it is a bit more intimidating.

What ever works that keeps the bystanders safe and my kite spots open I am defiantly for...

[RickHeninger]

See post below all about signage.

Click here to read discussion so far on signage