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Partner wanted for downwinder project 2017
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isobars



Joined: 12 Dec 1999
Posts: 20935

PostPosted: Sat Sep 24, 2016 7:59 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

And some net buoys, even when no nets are attached, have very long lines trailing from them on the surface. If the smaller torpedo buoy at the other end is pulling the line snug due to current or wind, it will stop a planing wave board (i.e., small fin) right frigging NOW. One rider got hurt and simply untied the line at the primary buoy. There were more like that.
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biffmalibu



Joined: 30 May 2008
Posts: 556

PostPosted: Thu Sep 29, 2016 2:34 pm    Post subject: Kiter sought for downwinder project 2017 Reply with quote

Well, there seem to be several windsurfers interested in doing one or two downwinders. But nobody wants to nut-up (ovary-up?) and knock off 6. Therefore, I am shifting focus to finding one committed KITER (there, I said it), preferably that one woman in bright blue who is great at sharing party waves/swells at the Hatch. Anybody know her? This would expand popular appeal (and support) by a factor of 2 or 3. And it would add a vertical dimension as well. Politically, it would also be very good for everybody.

Otherwise, maybe we can have a "special guest" downwind shredder for each one or simply on occasion. Maybe even a paddleboarder on the right section/day with massive swell to surf and add speed. That would be cool, fun, and interesting. I still feel a need to have ONE committed partner I can trust for all downwinders. I won't do this project alone, for reasons I've already explained.

I am inspired by the massive increase in corridor downwind traffic the past few years. I think it's awesome that downwinders are becoming more popular. Epic (and spectacular) downwinders are possible on the right days. I GET IT; THERE ARE RISKS. Risk can be reduced by competence, research, and planning. The results will be unforgettable and ecstatic experience, hopefully recorded for posterity.

P.S. Another most excellent afternoon of windSURFing today. Somebody make it stop! Smile



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Brian.bigfella@gmail.com



Joined: 11 Jun 2012
Posts: 127

PostPosted: Thu Sep 29, 2016 8:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'd just like to say that it would be great if some of the more experienced sailors would escort some of us not so great sailors on an easy down winder.

I did the Hook to the Event Site this year, which is hardly even a down winder, but they can be intimidating. Especially in flukey wind. I went from swimming (Tom and another Event Site regular came by and checked on me. Just bad and fat. Thanks though.) to perfectly powered up to slogging in all in the space of one mile. I think having some people around who know what they're doing would help immensely.
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H2OJoe



Joined: 20 Aug 2002
Posts: 112

PostPosted: Fri Sep 30, 2016 2:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Excerpt from original post: 'Optimistic and somewhat daring (although not completely reckless) sailing buddy sought for downwinder mini-adventures and ongoing story feature, Summer 2017."

I thought this was a project you were doing for next year. If not, my bad. If it IS for next year (2017) I don't know anyone that can make that kind of commitment now. If it was for this year we've already missed some great opportunities since the original post. But I digress....

My sailing and standup paddle board skills are good enough to do any stretch of the river you choose. By next spring/summer I hope to have my kite skills up to snuff too. Keep in touch.

Joe
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beaglebuddy



Joined: 10 Feb 2012
Posts: 1120

PostPosted: Fri Sep 30, 2016 6:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

What you need is someone with a power boat to follow.
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H2OJoe



Joined: 20 Aug 2002
Posts: 112

PostPosted: Fri Sep 30, 2016 7:21 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

"What you need is someone with a power boat to follow."

That would take all the adventure out of it! We're not crossing the Atlantic Ocean for Christ's sake. If you have sufficient skills the only thing you really need for this undertaking is the appropriate rubber in case of some swim time and a pair of water shoes, sandals, etc in case of some walk time.

Biff - let's do this!

Joe
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westender



Joined: 02 Aug 2007
Posts: 1288
Location: Portland / Gorge

PostPosted: Fri Sep 30, 2016 8:59 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The yacht leads the way so it doesn't disrupt the wind.
Rolling Eyes
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biffmalibu



Joined: 30 May 2008
Posts: 556

PostPosted: Fri Sep 30, 2016 9:22 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Power rescue boats are for irregular downwinders, such as the Blowout, which is effing tough and joined by many windsurfers of questionable competence but tons of heart. Most of the downwinders I'm talking are actually much EASIER to complete than the Blowout, due to more consistent wind, course, and surface conditions. Sorry! Yes. True. Boats (except for the Zodiac type) would be MORE at risk than us. TRUE. I'm not hiring a Zodiac. Waste of money and would ruin the experience. Plus, I would feel horrible if the Zodiac driver got hurt or drowned.

The worst case scenario is ditching gear and paddling/dragging to shore, which is never more than a mile away. The Gorge is NOT the Pacific Ocean. The conditions are NOT going to stop the participants from completing any downwinder (as long as we try it before we are 70). There are several competent windsurfers who can do this. There are many MORE competent kiters who can do it (because kiting is EASIER to surf downwind).
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isobars



Joined: 12 Dec 1999
Posts: 20935

PostPosted: Sat Oct 01, 2016 11:54 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

biffmalibu wrote:
conditions are NOT going to stop the participants from completing any downwinder (as long as we try it before we are 70).

Bite your tongue, Biff. Smile
At 73 I can still put in 8 hours on the water in a day, 3-4 in a single session, much of it heavily powered downwind on anything from a 6.2 to a 3.2 and almost none of it mowing the lawn. Within reason (80s?), strength and endurance depend more on stoke and physical condition than on the calendar. Maybe you have more left in you than you realize.
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DanWeiss



Joined: 24 Jun 2008
Posts: 2296
Location: Connecticut, USA

PostPosted: Mon Oct 03, 2016 10:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Holy hell. The last time I windsurfed the Gorge for a sufficient number of days to feel completely comfortable was 1994, after "only" two full summers a few years earlier. So there's that.

But even I would jump at the chance to hit this list of fun downwinders with a strong sailing partner. The question of risk seems overblown when we only consider the near worst things like death and dismemberment.

Injury to pride might be the least of the actual outcomes because such feeling falls squarely in the reasonably likely to occur category. But that's not an actual risk; again, you don't bruise your kidney when your ego takes a hit.

And Biff clearly understands how to mitigate the more serious and likely risks, such as wearing decent footwear to make it easier (better than merely possible) to extricate oneself and wearing a real PFD to nearly eliminate the possibility of the sh*t really hitting the fan if he looses contact with his rig in huge swell and wind.

Venom and urushiol seem the only thing that cannot be controlled once encountered. Well, those two things plus a raging brush fire and a logging truck with burning brakes.

As one who organized the longest single-leg race in the world -EVER- we regularly sailed over 80 miles from start to finish. The race began as a longboard-only event but by the mid 90's the better racers sailed shortboards. I can attest that getting overpowered on racing gear takes a ton out of you, at least as much as I ever felt sailing at Rufus on a 4.5 when a 3.5 was the call. Long distance events are all about the challenge of body and mind. Short of gear failure, which really should never happen, the largest challenge emerges from inside our minds. Of course, that's why we think things are difficult or even foolhardy as we also know they are possible.

I'm very surprised more people don't jump at the chance to do these downwinders with another obviously motivated soul.

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