Wild West Watersports coming soon to Port Alberni

[JL]

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?doflg=pt ... 14155&z=14

[Sandy Beach]

Thanks for posting that JL, taken from the WWW website, map link, recently updated.

Follow 3rd Avenue all the way through town and veer to the right off of 3rd just PAST Ships creek road. Turn onto Plywood Drive.

KC 7777, if you're coming from the ferry to Nitinat, you will likely get a powered-up evening session in Alberni prior to hitting the Nat, since it blows later in PA.

More signage on the highway is definately on the list of priorities to increase awareness and provide better directions. So far, we are finding many residents from the community, and tourists are driving in to WWW just to see where the kites and windsurfers are coming from.

With the near completion of the kite launch, we expect much more visual skyline changes in the Alberni inlet for increased awareness of the extreme wind-powered sports.

Stoked for those summer thermals!!

[Sandy Beach]

Three major milestones to report occurred yesterday on the waterfront in Port Alberni at Wild West Watersports.

Kite Launch
90 foot 'finger into the wind' pontoon/ramp that will be attached to the end of the pier was shifted into the warm water inlet yesterday and will be ready for kiteboarders of all levels in the next few days. Hot shots/experts still encouraged to show off their tricks.

Windsurf Launch
approximately 10 of the derelict logs that have been blocking the windsurf launch were tugged away, so easier access for windsurfers and kayaks/SUP's, etc.

Weather station at Harbour Quay
after several attempts at getting the wind data back up running, the 'latest reports' and 'HQ webcam' weather data is now updating for accurate readings

Stay tuned for more exciting news to come on the kite launch!

[JL]

Nice work I've linked this thread 'update' to the JL report

[more force 4]

Good to hear that big float is so close to being operational! Question for you Sandy, is the 'kite finger' going to be strictly kiter-only? It would be nice to be able to use it for launching/landing windsurfers too, though obviously kiters must have priority. Depending on the wind direction the windsurf launch can be a pain getting to the windline (as you well know!), even without the logs, and I'd be worried about equipment damage on the riprap getting out of the water, esp. at high tide. If there aren't any kiters even around, or there is only a few and they are in mid-session and way out, any problem with a windsurfer launching of the float?

[downwind dave]

is jumping over it allowed or encouraged?

[windsurf247]

Hey MOrley. Good question. The kite launch will likely be available for all to use but like you said, will have priority for kites launching and landing.

Once the kite launch is in place, we'll be looking at making improvements to the windsurfing launch. As Sandy mentioned, the logs have all been removed from along the pier and the front of the windsurfing beach. It is a HUGE improvement I'll continue to move the bigger rocks away to keep a clear ding-free path to the water

For now, consider any swim to the windline a warm-up for your session .

[more force 4]

is jumping over it allowed or encouraged?

Oh yes, sir, and can I bring your attention to the Fin Shack kiosk just down the wall from the Frappuccino bar?

[Sandy Beach]

MF4, yes, we can all play on the most beautiful log on Vancouver Island!

This is an account from our friend, Rod Frew (Vancouver), who was on WWW site last night (after a smokin' kite session in the inlet, along with beginner to advance kiters doting the inlet from up around China Creek down to Harbour Quay yesterday). Great to have Matt on the rescue jetski ripping along assisting, when people were in need of support.
Looking forward to a windy, fun-filled, busy August!

"At sunset, Monday July 26, the Wild West Watersports gang with help from Brad Berry Enterprises
launched the kite ramp at the old plywood site and new wind sport park at the end of Third Ave.

Made from a recycled fish farm pontoon and weighing approximately 20 tons and more than 90ft in length
over the past weeks Wild West Watersports and many friends and volunteers have been
grinding, sanding and painting the old pontoon in readiness for
placing it at the end of the dock at the old plywood site so that watersports enthusiasts including,
kiteboarders, kayakers and windsurfers can access the beautiful waters of the Alberni inlet.

Brad Berry, his excavator, and crew Paul Wagner providing ground support,
rolled the giant pontoon along the ground in similar fashion to early Egyptian pyramid construction methods
with logs generously supplied by log salvager, John Christmas.
Logs placed perpendicularly in front of the pontoon so that they were able to roll it along the ground towards the water.

It was a real community event as the windsurfers and kiters in attendance that day along with their families
watched in awe as Brad artfully manipulated the boom sticks like toothpicks to easily roll
the twenty ton 90 foot behometh into the water with a massive splash as the sun disappeared over the horizon."

words by
the coastalsoul,
Rod Frew

Thanks, Rod for your journalistic reporting of the monumental event in PA.
Looking forward to more photos of the event.

[nanmoo]

Hi Sandy,

Can you post a pic of this behemoth? It sounds neat, unfortunately I won't be able to make it out there to check it out until mid August!

- Tony

[coastalsoul]

!~

[coastalsoul]

The kite launch will likely be available for all to use but like you said, will have priority for kites launching and landing.

I would expect that like in many places with wind enthusiasts,
a healthy mutual respect & assistance for each other
with safety and patience being paramount,
no matter the choice of windpowered craft
will be encouraged by all.

peace out

see ya on the water

ROD

[Sandy Beach]

Alana Orr, UBC graphic artist student generously donated her time and skills on her island vacation to help improve the landscape of the Pt Alberni waterfront. With Alana's artistic eye, she made a mural of a scene of the reflection of the watersports action on the windy Alberni inlet. With all other aspects of the Wild West Watersports site, we hope to have others' contribute their talents and help make a mark in history for Port Alberni.

[coastalsoul]

Alana laying the background in.

[thankgodiatepastafobreaky]

very nice work - I like it almost as much as your kids chalk art work all over the wall. I'll have to come see to know for sure.. and try the big blue finger to the wind.