Crissy - Rescues, South Tower, Presidio Shoal, R-E-S-P-E-C-T

[eag]

yeah, they are good guys, and I'm glad they're there, but it's not like they're your buddy with a jet ski. Respect them by knowing what to do.

[baypirate]

Gabe, just to be clear, that was EXACTLY what prompted me to recap what I learned at Crissy. In fact I started this way:

We've been having a pretty steady flow of 2-3 Coast Guard rescues a day. Many/most were non-frivolous .... However... in order to avoid the balance of “unforced errors”...

and...

the thrust of my worry about "moral hazard" of having a rescue on call

Unfortunately, simply by kiting there, we, the (hard)"core locals" inadvertently create something akin to what laywers call an "attractive nuisance", pretty much the way the owner of an unfenced pool has some responsibility for kids attracted to that pool, even trespassing kids. (included self in the "we" not for credit...). I don't think it is unfair to say we are increasing the work of CG even if we don't require rescues because people see kites on the water/getting pumped and they venture along. Not sure what we can do about it, and that's why I'm onboard in showing somehow our gratitude to the CG, these guys must know it is not us they are rescuing (most of the time...)

I think I mentioned before (after one of the mayhem weekends with genuine kooks crashing kites on beachgoers etc.) that with the growth in sport one can see how we may end up having to have our own kite patrol, including rescuing people. I really hope that's in a galaxy far far away, but it beats the hell out of getting Crissy closed (or heavily regulated a la SoCal, Chicago or FL).

At any rate, this is pretty hopeless, the rescues yesterday were all from inside the Presidio Shoal. You could see the glassy flat water in there from Marin, why would you go in there is beyond me.

[moblvet]

Baypirate, do you ride RRD;s and race?

[baypirate]

Baypirate, do you ride RRD;s and race?

yeah, but so do Shawn, Heineken, Donny/Sandy etc.

Honestly I don't really "race", just staying away from the bottom 20% of finishers... Still can't go fast enough downwind if Whitey were chasing me. In fact, you can say I "close in" on Chip & Co. on my downwind leg, only that when we meet, they're coming upwind to cross the finish...

[KillaHz]

Gabe, just to be clear, that was EXACTLY what prompted me to recap what I learned at Crissy. In fact I started this way:

We've been having a pretty steady flow of 2-3 Coast Guard rescues a day. Many/most were non-frivolous .... However... in order to avoid the balance of “unforced errors”...

and...

the thrust of my worry about "moral hazard" of having a rescue on call

Yes, I know. It was a good post and I was going to comment to the fact that this thread had started out well and gone down hill but my post was starting to run a bit long and I wanted to be sure that it got read...

[pacspeed]

I think it's a bit of a stretch to apply the reverse psychology that a "thank you" of some sort to the CG becomes a selfish justification for our own shortcomings. But still, a kegger may not be the most appropriate response. As someone mentioned there are many ways to go about it, non-profits, charities, I know many military units have recreation funds that can include snow/ski gear, surf stuff. I'm sure enough of us have connections in those industries as well we could come up with SOMETHING appropriate.

Thelaserman: maybe you can inquire w/ the station commander about a way to thank them that is both ethically above board and genuinely appreciated by the (you) coasties?

[OliverG]

BTW, to get an idea of these guys, yesterday with a handful of rescued kiters/surfers on board already, literally idled the boat by the Presidio and wait for the pack of kiters coming in from the Bridge, as the hole extended a mile from beach. The "core Crissy gang" disappointed them however, made it in dry in full contingent.

Exactly!

This is a touchy subject. The core locals at Crissy have been riding there for years and while I don't think there is one of us who haven't gotten a rescue at least once from the CG, we for the most part know our limitations and how to read the conditions and get home safely. Every once in a while there are uncontrollable circumstances that create the need for a rescue for even the most seasoned veteran.

Offering to throw a party for the CG is a slippery slope and one I believe could backfire a bit. The increase in rescues just this past year is directly related to the amount of new people venturing out without the proper skills or experience. Allowing those people to feel better about themselves and their demands on a service that should be reserved for more serious accidents/requirements by throwing a party for the Coast Guard in my opinion will come across as "spoiled and selfish" to the coast guard.

Like I said, it's just my opinion but I think if you want to show appreciation donate to the non-profits that support the CG, join the SFBA and don't go out at Crissy if you think that there is more than a 1% chance that you will need CG assistance. That means 1 rescue every 100 sessions and I would say that is about average for a core Crissy rider if not a little above average.

I am by no means trying to bring localization into the spot/sport. Just saying that if you want to talk about respect, let's really talk about respect. I've seen a lot of ignorance on the beach at Crissy this year and some of that I believe is echoed in these posts so I'm hoping that this post may actually reach some of the right people...

Well said Gabe, nice addition to the thread!

[cedralpass]

Great Post. Thanks Bay Pirate and KillaHz

I was rescued from the Shoals on Tuesday. I dropped my kite, trying to do what was right. Was heading downwind, i have have learned to go more downwind on an ebb, so you have longer to swim if you have to, besides the better winds there.

I felt it get light (should have noticed the water), tacked back out to the good wind, boom, dropped kite. I Almost relaunched on a puff, but then kite got all tangled. Spent a bit trying to sort it out, and almost launched again. I was even with the clump of trees west of the launch. I got to the Presideo Shoals, by means of strong ebb current and self rescue. I was in good self rescue mode, and ready for the long swim. I had radio, and felt prepared, did not use it yet. Was watching the time in the water with my watch, and felt not in danger yet. 15 minutes. Thanks to the locals who called in, as they probably knew i would not make the swim with the ebb.

The coast guard had me get out, as there was another kite, and a several wind surfers floating too, and they didn't want to have to come back for me on the Eb, and they were worried about the Hard Core riders still at the gate. I tried self sufficiency. That was really cool watching the locals rip in in a pack, the coasties thought you were toast. As I told you on the beach, it was Amazing guys!

Anyhow, I love reading these threads and the de-briefs. I have kited semi-regularly at Chrisy for 2.5 years now, and this in my second rescue. Probably not in the 1% range KillaHz suggests, but I am working on it. I have donated to the charity, and would definitely support a bbq, if deemed appropriate.

One other tidbit I learned Tuesday, if you do get on the boat. BE HELPFUL. Wrap up WELL. They appreciate it. Help get other kites situated and wrapped well. Help haul up the windsurf gear. Stow gear out of the way. I think they really appreciated the help, not just standing around.

Thanks and sorry for learning still. I am really working on it, listening from you guys, and was prepared.

[KillaHz]

Great Post. Thanks Bay Pirate and KillaHz

One other tidbit I learned Tuesday, if you do get on the boat. BE HELPFUL. Wrap up WELL. They appreciate it. Help get other kites situated and wrapped well. Help haul up the windsurf gear. Stow gear out of the way. I think they really appreciated the help, not just standing around.

Thanks and sorry for learning still. I am really working on it, listening from you guys, and was prepared.

Aaahhh.... RESPECT... :obscene-drinkingcheers:

[eag]

and as a heads up - we seem to be getting into a fluky fall pattern early this year, so things will be getting even more touchy. Even if you're being smart about it and asking all the right questions, it is probably not a good time to be trying Crissy unless you know it well. When you ride there almost every day (most of us need to get a life, eh?) you pick up on nuances that allow for better decision making.

Please ask for advice, and if local recommends not riding, it's for your safety, not because they're being a dick. There is plenty of space in the bay, it's not like you'd be infringing on someone's space, it's just that we want people to avoid disaster. The only localism practiced is for safety and maintaining access.

Case in point – a guy yesterday, who had been rescued the day before and was obviously not up for the spooky, foggy, fluky conditions, asked about kite sizes and was told it was a good idea to sit it out. He went anyway and was rescued again after 10 minutes when he kited right into a dead zone.