Out of control at Rowena

nebkoohs · Joined: 30 Aug 2014 Posts: 1

I am the kiter that landed on poor SeaTurtle. My name is Ben. Boy, am I embarrassed and chagrined that I did that. I've been kiting for years, but never at Rowena; all of what you've said is true: the folks who launched me (at the East end) warned my kite was too big. My only explanation is that I misjudged: the water did not seem to be nearly as white-capped as I'm used to for 30 click wind. In my career kiting (all over the world), I've never had a mishap like this. I apologize profusely.

I want to offer one clarification and one comment.

Clarification: I was not "landing" at the sailors' West side of Rowena! I was so overpowered that I could not turn my kite well for a jibe and pulled the suicide. (The five line North Rebel goes to 99% de-power when the kiter does this.) I was then drifting to shore, trying desperately NOT to be in anyone's way. SeaTurtle had more than 60 seconds to simply get out of the way of the kite drifting towards her, de-powered. She was a deer in the headlights and lost all control of her ability-seemingly-to make any move whatsoever and simply let the kite and lines drift across her. I am not justifying my mistake... but what happened to me was just that: a simple mistake and I performed the way any kiter would, concerned about being yarded onto the rocks. I'm afraid that SeaTurtle thought the kite and lines were more dangerous than they were; of course it is not ideal to become tangled in them, in this situation, but her life was not in peril, aside from her reaction to the situation, which was so out of control that she was unable to act in her own best interest. I'm very sorry to have been the instigator of this episode; I certainly should not have been out in those conditions on an 11m kite!

Comment: this is a somewhat extreme sport and, as you all know, shit happens... unfortunately. (Normally it I who come to the rescue of others in trouble.) I was shocked at how out of control several people were in this situation. Two of those who came to "help" were threatening to "beat" me, and SeaTurtle could not gain composure. The kite was de-powered and needed to simply be put down, there was absolutely no load on the lines. Rather than calmly addressing the situation, I was mobbed with anger and emotions escalated, with repeated threats from windsurfers to beat me. I maintained composure, trying to calm people down, which sort of worked after about ten minutes. I was surprised by the reaction because MUCH more serious incidents can arise in this sport, with real injury and real damage to property. The park volunteer was so worked up, he was repeatedly "threatening" to call the Sheriff, which I encouraged him to do, as I would have reported the threats to my well being. Just to be clear: what I did was an accident, something for which I am indeed sorry... and was in no way a criminal act. Threatening me, on the other hand, is actually a crime. Furthermore, it is not a crime to defend oneself if attacked, which I would have succeeded in doing, being a trained martial arts teacher. I would simply encourage those of you involved here to remain more calm in situations requiring immediate action, act rationally, get the situation sorted quickly... and THEN if someone's actions were so egregious or misdirected (which I don't believe mine were), deal with it in an adult fashion. I broke up a fight between surfers-in the water-years ago in San Diego and the guy who instigated the fight really hurt the other fellow; I learned later that he was sentenced to 50 months for assault.

Anyway, I don't think changing signage or policy will really do much to prevent a future occurrence like this... it was a stupid mistake on my part and unfortunately happened to involve SeaTurtle. I am very sorry SeaTurtle and next time I come to Rowena I'll be more respectful of the kite area, rig appropriately, and happily buy you all lunch.

SeaTurtle · Joined: 08 Jul 1999 Posts: 22

How could you actually see what I was doing for 60 seconds way down at the other end of your lines? I was trying to protect myself and my dog from become tangled in the lines. It was terrifying!!! I was holding both sets of lines over my head trying to figure out what the heck to do with them, until the kite landed on me. Then I decided to ditch my gear to save my life. Regardless if you thought I was in danger or not, I knew I was.

I'm sure you've seen a runaway kite twisting down the river. I've seen 2 at Rowena in the past 2-3 years, it's not good.

It's over behind us and we were not hurt. I think if you are at a new sailing site & someone suggested your 11 meter kite was too big, you should have listened. You seem reasonable, so I know you will listen next time.

Please move on & please STAY IN THE KITING AREA. We will all be happier & enjoy our chosen sports.

uwindsurf · Joined: 18 Aug 2012 Posts: 968 Location: Classified

I am confused as to why your dog was with you in the water when you were launching. Can you clarify? Thanks.

isobars · Joined: 12 Dec 1999 Posts: 20935

johnl · Joined: 05 Jun 1994 Posts: 1330 Location: Hood River OR

philodog · Joined: 28 Apr 2000 Posts: 209

nebkoohs, that was a very humble apology, way to man up rather than get defensive. SeaTurtle, get over it, shyte happens. His explanation made complete sense, your lucky to get such an apology.
I had a reverse deer in the headlights episode at the Wall last week. A female kiter lost her board and had her kite straight up in the air as she retrieved it. I surfed a swell and went downwind of her and she just started screaming bloody murder and pointing at her kite. I was nowhere near being TOO close, she was just in over her head and thought that should be my problem. Why do kiters ride at the Wall anyway? It`s not like the Hatch where it`s the best swell around. It`s good everywhere there.

GuyT · Joined: 13 Sep 2002 Posts: 182

cgoudie1 · Posted: Sun Aug 31, 2014 12:31 am Post subject: Re: Stay in the kiting area.

Tourists. ;*)

-Craig

surfersteve · Joined: 24 Apr 2007 Posts: 203

I guess we should all be happy(?) that windsurfing is a somewhat dying sport - many have gotten out of it because of cost, age, or kiting. That alone seems to have made the water a lot more open in any site I sail. Accidents happen. Period. I have yet to see someone rig up with the intention of hurting themselves or someone else. If you see someone is out of control, get the FLUCK out of the way or help if possible. If you really want to be scared for your life, break down at Rufus in March. Otherwise, in 71F water at a calm site like Rowena, take it down a notch on the hysterics. I love dogs and have my own. But I would never take her to a busy waterfront site completely in the way of the launch area. That shows just as much irresponsibility IMO.

jimoakes · Joined: 21 Apr 2006 Posts: 172

OK, here's my story.
I was on port tack, on a beam reach when this guy came right at me from upwind! I hollered at him " hello, do you see me? He couldn't hear cause he was on the phone! My shopping cart was only dinged slightly. Thank God I had on a helmet.
Just because it's the Safeway parking lot doesn't mean everyone does it the safe-way.