Power Kite Forum - Washington State Beaches - 25 May 2015!!

Washington State Beaches - 25 May 2015!!

crazyherb - 8-1-2015 at 06:15 PM

Local support has been VERY positive here in Long Beach!!

http://www.chinookobserver.com/co/northwest/20150105/rule-ch...

YAY!!

Steve

shehatesmyhobbies - 8-1-2015 at 06:37 PM

Great article! Really glad to see that the hard work the individuals that have been putting into this may finally pay off on a more lengthy time.

I really hope this works out!

soliver - 8-1-2015 at 06:39 PM

Really positive sounding read! Congrats to all of you Washington folks!

erratic winds - 8-1-2015 at 07:10 PM

A very positive piece of press, the sort of thing that will probably cause one or two lessons to get sold!

MeatÐriver - 29-1-2015 at 01:04 PM

Any word from the hearings?

Morrie Williams - 29-1-2015 at 02:42 PM

The meeting last night in Ilwaco was pretty well attended. There were 30 plus people with a group of buggiers, boarders and blokarters. Evans Fletcher, Jimmy Vaughn, Steve Irby, Steve Herbertson, Morrie and Kelci Williams were there.

We had a lot of positive comments and some negative, but I think we have answers to most of the negatives.

Tonight the meeting is in Ocean Shores. We expect quite a few people from the kiting community there. Wish us luck!

sand flea - 29-1-2015 at 07:42 PM

Good luck to you all !!!

Thank you all for your efforts

I look so forward to spending a little time in Washington

crazyherb - 30-1-2015 at 01:11 AM

Hope the Ocean Shores went as well tonight!!

bigkid - 30-1-2015 at 07:36 AM

I wish I was at the 1st meeting so I could see how the 2nd one faired.
I have to say one thing, fletch, aka Evans has done one remarkable job with this entire endeavour. Not many people have the compation he has to dive into the bulls**t world of politics and local government egos and succeed to this degree.

WAY TO GO, EVANS.

Morrie Williams - 30-1-2015 at 01:17 PM

Last night's meeting in Ocean Shores was well attended, probably 50+ people. In general it was fairly positive except for a vocal group from the City of Ocean Shores. Including the mayor and several council people. They seemed to be totally unaware that any of this had been in progress for the last 5 years and wanted more control/visibility of the process.

Thanks for all of the support from the kiting community in general, the buggiers, blokarters and land boarders who attended the Ilwaco and Ocean Shores meetings.

I agree with Jeff on the kudos for Evans! Without him we wouldn't be this close.

crazyherb - 30-1-2015 at 06:15 PM

As I mentioned to Evans on FB, any amount of beach that Ocean Shores doesn't want to give up, we'll gladly add to here in Long Beach.. :P I think there's a bit of a different "vibe" here about it...
World Kite Museum and Adrift Hotel would LOVE to open up the area in front of the Boardwalk (Bolstad to Seaview Approach) during the season where cars can't drive...eliminating those large moving obstacles...and giving some visibility to the tourist...Imagine how pretty that would be.....maybe I'll drop a few kind words of thanks/support to my connections in the city government.
(ugh...I'm so NOT political)

One thing to mention, to those who had not attended. Mr. Kline (State Parks Planner) took some time to check out my Flexboardz (stood on it) and had several "cool" comments about it...
Another light bulb moment was mentioning that:
As ambassadors of the sport we can follow any of the conditions or rules put in place, and self-police ourselves pretty good, but the 1% that will violate the rules will do it anyway.
We can actually be an extra set of eyes on the ground to help "advise" if we see...(infractions)...(light bulb moment) He said "Good point"!

I think most people who are against it, really haven't spent any time observing us, asked the right questions, and have some mis-conceptions about our manuverability/control/respect for right-of-ways/and minimal environmental footprint/impact (we use the WIND after all).

Squeaky wheel gets the grease....and we're so close...let's not fry the bearings.
KITE ON!!

fletcht - 2-2-2015 at 09:32 PM

Thanks for the kind words. It is not all about me however. I appreciate having Morrie, Jeff, Steve and other NAPKA members as a sounding board. I wanted to make sure it wasn't my beach I was trying to open but our beach. Saying this, it will happen, I am working to get as much real estate as possible that is reasonable. Some will be open year around and some in the off season. Some not at all. All in all it will be more then we currently have. So stay tuned things will come hopefully to a close by the end of May.

crazyherb - 11-4-2015 at 12:29 PM

One more baby step, almost there!!

Greetings:

At its March 26 meeting, the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission APPROVED rule changes that will allow wind-powered vehicles (WPV) on portions of Parks-managed ocean beaches. The rule changes will be filed with the Washington State Office of the Code Reviser and then are subject to a 31-day waiting period prior to taking effect. (View the rules, WAC 352-37 at app.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=352-37. The specific rule under discussion is 352-37-190 “Excluded/limited recreation activities.”)

We anticipate that wind-powered vehicle use will be allowed by the end of May. We will post maps of specific use areas in the next few weeks at: j.mp/parkswind

The new rules include the following:
• The State Parks Director can establish areas on the beach where use can occur.
• Use is limited to the hard sand portion of the beach.
• Use can occur from sunrise to sunset, unless otherwise restricted.
• Prohibits use during recreational razor clam digs.
• Requires a minimum age of 16 for operation.
• Allows the Director to require additional safety measures as necessary.

Wind-powered vehicles include kite buggies, blo-karts, kite boards and other wind/sand sailing recreational vehicles. Based on the rule changes, WPV use will be allowed subject to certain conditions and restrictions in designated areas on Long Beach, South Beach, and North Beach in Pacific and Grays Harbor counties.

For more information, please feel free to contact me at randy.kline@parks.wa.gov or (360) 902-8632.

Randy Kline, Park Planner
Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
1111 Israel Road SW, Tumwater, WA 98501
PO Box 42650, Olympia, WA 98504
Phone: 360.902.8632
randy.kline@parks.wa.gov
www.parks.wa.gov

*****
WEB: www.parks.wa.gov
BLOG: www.AdventureAwaits.com
SOCIAL: Facebook | Twitter
DISCOVER PASS: www.discoverpass.wa.gov

shehatesmyhobbies - 11-4-2015 at 05:50 PM

I really enjoyed getting that email! Great progress!

IT HAPPENED !!!

PistolPete - 24-4-2015 at 09:10 PM

:eekdrull:

The Associated Press

ABERDEEN, Wash. — State park officials are allowing wind-powered vehicles such as kite buggies on state-managed ocean beaches in southwest Washington.

Park planner Randy Kline says the new rules were finalized on Thursday and will take effect May 25.

Three-wheeled buggies pulled by a kite or a sail and other wind-powered vehicles will be able to use stretches of beaches in Grays Harbor and Pacific Counties.

Park officials plan to release maps outlining areas of North Beach, South Beach and Long Beach where they will be allowed.

KBKW Radio in Aberdeen says the new rules allow the vehicles to drive in the hard sand from sunrise to sunset, except during clam digs, among other conditions.

The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission approved the changes last month.

Huge thanks to Evans, Randy, and everyone else who helped to make this happen

http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/wind-powered-vehicles-approved-for-some-wash-ocean-beaches/

http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/shellfish/razorclams/current.html

crazyherb - 25-4-2015 at 07:58 PM

Woo Hoo!!

Bladerunner - 25-4-2015 at 07:59 PM

Way to go Washington. :cool:

We will have to start up an annual event!

fletcht - 25-4-2015 at 08:21 PM

Yes, it will be allowed on Washington Beaches as of May 25, 2015. Maps showing areas which will be open and when, will be available soon. Some areas open year around, some during the off season. After Labor Day and before April 15th. Some areas are just closed. The restrictions around Clam digging are, no flying 3 hours before and 3 hours after low tide. Just during the tide of the dig. The rest of the day is open. I worked hard on this. They wanted to close the whole day.
There are a few other restrictions, under 16 must have an adult, same speed limit restrictions as motorized vehicles, avoid congested areas etc. these will be posted once everything gets published.

The BIG thing I want to point out is, we ( wind powered enthusiasts ) will be under a microscope this first year, at least. There are folks, politicians, and others that do not what us out there. We can not afford to screw this up. So, that being said, if speed runs are your cup of tea, then go to Oregon or Dry lakes. If dune buggying is where you get off then stay off. We absolutely need to play nicely.

The law has been changed, but the Director of Parks has the final say on restrictions and where we can play. At the last Parks Commissions meeting it was suggested that we just open the beaches similar to Oregon. That idea, was put on hold for a year. It will be reviewed in a years time, if there have not been any problems, or concerns then maybe/possibly. So again, enjoy after May 25th, and play nice.

Thanks,
Evans

buggeyed - 25-4-2015 at 11:26 PM

This is great news :thumbup:

.I only have one question,Is there a website that lists clam digs and how long before the dig are they announced?

1oldkid - 26-4-2015 at 06:41 AM

Fantastic, great news!

:thumbup:

Evans!

fletcht - 26-4-2015 at 07:00 AM

Clam digs? You can check WAshington Dept. Fish and Wildlife's webpage for updates. The problem is they have a tendency to announce sometimes less then 24 hours before a dig. Makes it real hard to plan. That was my beef with the earlier language and thinking on the WAC revision. We compromised on 3 hours before and after low tide. I believe their season runs October to May with random days during that window.

Morrie Williams - 26-4-2015 at 08:09 AM

Usually they notify of clam digs a week or so in advance. We had that one surprise clam dig a few years ago the canceled one of our events at Grayland. Hopefully this wont happen in the future, but it's a good idea to check at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/shellfish/razorclams/current.html for the latest scheduled digs.

The season runs from Oct 1 - May 31. Clam digs are scheduled on specific dates as opposed to Oregon's open digging during the season.

buggeyed - 26-4-2015 at 09:37 AM

Thanks Morrie, Time to plan a Grayland Beach trip soon. Looks like clam season ends just as we start this year.

sand flea - 26-4-2015 at 11:17 AM

This is fantastic!
Thank you guys for all those years of hard work.

I am looking forward to starting to explore the Washington beaches.

Morrie Williams - 26-4-2015 at 04:19 PM

Quote: Originally posted by buggeyed

Thanks Morrie, Time to plan a Grayland Beach trip soon. Looks like clam season ends just as we start this year.

Which beach would you prefer? Pacific Beach or Grayland Beach? Around 7/1?

buggeyed - 26-4-2015 at 10:06 PM

I would say Grayland Beach, right in your backyard. Too bad Canada day falls in the middle of the week this year. The weekend of 6/25 could work, tides look ok, I don't think we want to be out on July 4 weekend.

Morrie Williams - 27-4-2015 at 08:28 AM

That works for me. Tides could be better, but everything depends on winds. The 4th weekend will be way too busy and the following weekend is the kite festival so another busy weekend.

buggeyed - 27-4-2015 at 09:16 AM

Sound like a plan, June 27 weekend Grayland Beach.

Bladerunner - 27-4-2015 at 11:55 AM

I'll try and make it. I love Grayland! :thumbup:

crazyherb - 27-4-2015 at 05:16 PM

If ANYONE hit's Long Beach...make sure you shoot me a message, prior.
I'll do what I can to meet up, pass along approach conditions and widest (best) parts of the beach.
Likewise will post here if I know I'm heading out to play....

crazyherb - 4-5-2015 at 09:36 PM

This last weekend was the BIGGEST tease...NW side-onshore all weekend...I just grabbed my water gear....but there was lots-o-beach at low tide...tick tick tick...

ColinW - 5-5-2015 at 06:02 PM

Crazyherb: is Washington State worried about the clams or the diggers?

Also... You allude to the weekend after July 4 being the kite festival, but my wife just booked the 3rd week in August. as per http://kitefestival.com/kite-festival/

Are there 2 festivals?
colin

crazyherb - 5-5-2015 at 11:01 PM

Colin - Clams or Diggers? - I think they are mostly worried about increased traffic on the beach as a result of the digs (and us conflicting with that traffic).

3rd week of August is the Washington International Kite Festival...so, your good. Not sure where I mentioned weekend after the 4th...maybe just a meet-up?

All good...

BTW- Scoped out Long Beach, Cranberry Approach tonight...there's still a good line of rotting Vellalla at the high tide mark, slippy-stinky... but plenty of ride-able beach, just North of the approach it gets nice and wide.

The Beach Awaits....

ColinW - 6-5-2015 at 06:21 PM

Sorry Crazy,
looks like it was Morrie Williams about the festival.

Quote: Originally posted by Morrie Williams

That works for me. Tides could be better, but everything depends on winds. The 4th weekend will be way too busy and the following weekend is the kite festival so another busy weekend.

Beautiful photo! I can almost feel the wind pushing air into my lungs, and I'm so jealous of the expanse of beach. Not a whole lot like that locally. I tried kite surfing with my sons at Nitanat lake up here last summer, but it felt a lot like controlled drowning. I am looking forward to trying kite buggying sitting down... Now all I need is a buggy (and probably a dozen more kites).
colin

Bladerunner - 7-5-2015 at 01:59 AM

Did you take lessons at Nitanaht ? I found the jet ski assisted lessons there the best. Marie actually got me up and riding. It was far better than the poor quality radio lesson or my 1st one where the guy just stood there and yelled.

Camping rough along the shore at Nitanaht was one of the best camping trips I have ever had.

If you can make it you should join us for our spring SOBB get together at Seaside Oregon later this month. You will learn more in a short visit there than you will learn in a season on your own. We camp at a fellows acreage and have a few shared meals by donation so it isn't too expensive of a trip.

Morrie Williams - 7-5-2015 at 08:18 AM

Quote: Originally posted by ColinW

Sorry Crazy,
looks like it was Morrie Williams about the festival.

That was the Westport Festival the weekend after the 4th of July

ColinW - 7-5-2015 at 09:34 PM

Blade:
Yes, lessons at Nitanaht with Strong. Not the most professional outfit IMO, We (my sons and I) had a great experience there nevertheless and would like to do some body dragging and practice on our own locally if we can find the gear.
I would love to get down to Oregon. I have only been that way once, but it may just be as beautiful as Vancouver Island

Realistically I don't see how I can make it happen. One kid playing box lacrosse and one playing roller hockey doesn't leave nearly enough time for my own fun. All last week I was watching the wind while I was working, and on Friday evening when I finally got to a local field to fly the wind died. I pulled everything out anyway and sat on the grass for a half an hour watching to see if the trees would move. Relaxing way to start the weekend, but not what I'd hoped for.
My wife and I are trying to go to the Long Beach kite festival in August. Is that event attended by the forum types?
Going to have to run. Off to Pitt meadows in the am for a laX tournament. Maybe we'll try and swing by Garry Point on Sunday on the way home.
colin

Bladerunner - 8-5-2015 at 12:08 AM

Sorry you had a less than great experience with lessons. I wasn't too impressed by the guy from Strong either. Jet ski but a bad attitude. Marie is with Elevation and I was very pleased with her.

We just lost one of our PKF friends from Victoria that would have been a great contact. Gordy was a great guy. Not any others on here from the island as far as I know?

crazyherb - 8-5-2015 at 12:26 AM

I couldn't wait, so I just hit the water tonight...

fletcht - 8-5-2015 at 04:02 PM

ColinW, buggies have been part of Kite Festival now for the last three years, and again this year I believe. There have been anywhere from 2 of us to half a dozen participating. Good opportunity to come out and get acquainted. Morrie and I will be there all week, and Steve comes around when off work. Hope to see you and others is year.

Morrie Williams - 15-5-2015 at 02:57 PM

Hi Guys, Well it's FINALLY happened. As of 5/25/2015 we will be able to use Washington State beaches for Wind Powered Vehicles! Here is the official information:

General Guidelines

North Beach Area Map

South Beach Area Map

Long Beach Area Map

If you have any questions, Please E-mail Me!.

buggeyed - 15-5-2015 at 04:29 PM

:thumbup:

Bladerunner - 15-5-2015 at 05:32 PM

Will being a NAPKA member and displaying numbers not be required anymore? :cool2:

1oldkid - 15-5-2015 at 05:54 PM

Man that is great news!
Good job getting several areas to chose from!!! :thumbup:

fletcht - 15-5-2015 at 06:45 PM

Morrie, thanks for getting that online so quickly.
Ken, and any others, no being a NAPKA member, and numbers are not required. However, which you are already aware of Ken, it is still a good idea to be part of NAPKA.

So, have fun, follow the guidelines and we can continue to move forward.

bigkid - 16-5-2015 at 01:47 PM

Nice work Evans. You are by far a man of many talents.
Many have tried and not succeeded as you have. Not to say the work done in the last 20 years was a waste of effort, just the opposite. You were just the MAN to pull it all together. Thank you.
We should thank Carol and Mojo for their hard work as well, I'm sure it wasn't easy at times for them.

fletcht - 16-5-2015 at 09:26 PM

Bigkid, thanks. Yes, Carol was very patient listening to me rant around here at times. As well as the phone calls. Mojo, as long as he was able to sit in my lap while I was ranting or on the phone he was ok with it.
But in all honesty, I got very fortunate by having a concerned Parks Commisioner living in my area. Had many cups of coffee with him. He helped a lot.

Also thanks to you and all the others that sent letters attended meetings, and being a sounding board for me, it all helped. I will still continue to work to get the green, yellow, red areas to just green. But right now let's play.

crazyherb - 17-5-2015 at 07:01 PM

On Site conditions Long Beach, WA - Here's some light-wind Long Beach, WA footage (from next week, cough cough...wink wink)...
https://vimeo.com/127434784

Beach is smooth and wide...lots of hard pack...no crowds...in fact, barely anyone around since clam digs are off for the season....Domoic Acid levels...
There's a good layer of Velalla Velalla (WindSailor jellyies) at the high tide mark, but low-tide gives LOTs of room to play...just don't land your kite in them....stinky.
Video was taken couple hrs after high tide....

It's going to be a fun Summer!!

1oldkid - 17-5-2015 at 07:23 PM

Looks pretty nice!
Hmmmm....Gonna hafta plan a trip that way too...hmmm

Windy Heap - 18-5-2015 at 08:56 AM

anyone have a web link to the map of legal riding areas around ocean shores?

buggeyed - 18-5-2015 at 10:36 AM

Ocean Shores is part of the North Beach Area

http://napka.org/pdfs/NBAREA2%20WPV%20addition%20final%20col...

fletcht - 24-5-2015 at 08:26 PM

Ok folks, tomorrow is the day. 25 May. Enjoy Washington Beaches, follow the guidelines so we can open more in the future. Just a note, for those of you returning home from SOBB or didn't make it down there, I'll be at Pacific Beach afternoon 25th through morning 29th. Stop by and buggy.

crazyherb - 24-5-2015 at 10:11 PM

Long Beach, WA - projected - Low tide around 2PM, Light WEST wind all day. Maybe a good day to send up the PL Phanny 24M on 55M lines...just to let EVERYONE know IT'S ON!!
I have family stuff, but plan on sneaking out for a couple hours around low tide.

Likewise, holler if your around the Long Beach area, I know most have popped over to SOBB for the week, Saturday was fun.

Morrie Williams - 8-6-2015 at 09:27 AM

Last Thurday, 6/4/2015, Kelci and I met John and Lynn Matteson for an evening of buggying and Blokarting at Grayland, WA.
It wasn't the perfect tide and the wind direction wasn't the best, but be had good wind. This was the first of many flies in Grayland.
It's nice to be back on our beach!

bigkid - 8-6-2015 at 02:53 PM

The day after Memorial Day I was graced by the man who made all of this a reality. Evans and I spent 3 days at Pacific Beach with sun, wind and more or less an empty beach. The wind was out of the west which allowed for a 10m park and ride experience for the entire 3 days.
Sunburn, great food, and one of the largest beaches I have seen in many years, you could not have ordered a better week.
If Levi didn't end the trip with an OBE we would have stayed another 2 days. Levi is much better after a week of pampering and shoulder rubs. One tuff dog, the tire that ran over him was 4 times bigger than him.
Was a time that will forever be on my top 5. Levi said he's ready to go again on the 27th. Me too.

fletcht - 8-6-2015 at 05:20 PM

Jeff, glad to hear Levi is good to go. Pacific Beach was awesome, hard pack sand for as far as you good see, in three directions. Plus, having it to ourselves mid week, priceless.
By the way, I did venture across the creek to the south of State Park. Well worth the time wading. Hope to connect with yourself a few of you others sometime again this summer.
Also, graced by the man? Might be a little overstated.

But thanks. It is quite cool we can go out when we want.

crazyherb - 8-6-2015 at 10:16 PM

Dudes...that's awesome!! Glad to hear Levi is ok Jeff...must have been freaky...

Nice to hear people getting out...I'll tell ya though. I feel spoiled down here too...the Long Beach crowds are just SO tough to deal with..as you can see from the link...LOL
https://goo.gl/photos/sjKFz8PVTdJLe2sx8

I've been landboarding while tide is out...wetsuit up and hitting water at high tide... I'm in heaven!!

Kite ON!!
Steve

FiniteState - 6-9-2015 at 08:21 PM

Where did/do people go kitebuggying in WA if it was not allowed on the beaches? Newbie from Seattle here.

bigkid - 6-9-2015 at 08:53 PM

Marymoor park, Alvord, most of Oregon State beaches, for a few.