Montrose 2011

[skysurfr]

I hope everyone had a wonderful slippery winter! Here comes the spring!

When we left off in the fall, we were considering a few things....

1. Re-new our commitment at Montrose with a new operating plan, including a re-registration.

2. Switching from Streamers to a custom Rash Guard.

I'm headed to Bangkok and will probably see Raam while I'm there. Should I look into getting some rash guards made?

At a Minimum I'd like to see.....

MONTROSE KITEBOARDING CREW
[ space to write your name ]




....in a similar style to anAthletic Department shirt...http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_187000%2fFF_187422_xl.jpg&w=400

[adseguy]

My vote is Rash guard plan. It's too easy to misplace, fake, or simply forget a streamer, but as I've mentioned before is that really the issue here?

Clearly labeled signs are REALLY going to help. Any input from the CPD on that front? I'll make 2 Aluminum signs if they allow us to permanently place them.

Good winds to you Thailand

[Dutchkiteboarder]

Sorry to bring this up again. The season is about to start and there is still no solution. Mike if you still in Thailand I would be in for a yellow rashguard.
Name: same as on my streamer NLD-37

Otherwise I found a website that offered custom rashguards. But anyway the reason I am posting here now is because of this. Back home at my home spot they introduced the system of bright vests. It is not the first place, its sad it has to go like that but it works. I totally agree with Adrien that a big sign would be the best solution but to find a temp solution I really think a bright rashguard / one of those road worker vests will do the trick.

Heading down south this coming week, but is any one maybe interested in meeting on Saturday the 9th of April around Montrose? We can share our idea's in person, talk about it in person and hopefully find a solution in person.

Oh and maybe this year a get together when the wind is blowing at Waukegan or Miller? Ride, sell and ENJOY!

[Pier]

Mike,

Not sure if you are still in Bangkok but if so please get a rashguard for me.

I'm assuming that the best would be having a standard size big enough to be worn on top of impact/vest, XL or XXL maybe?

I'm in for getting together and discuss the 2011 plan for Montrose and open to support where possible.

Re-registration is fine with me as well as paying a fee for signs or anything else we, together, will decide to implement.

thanks

[skysurfr]

Rash Guards will ba an "all or none" thing, and will all be the same color.

They can't be Orange or White, those are Lifeguard Colors.

I'm looking for "sponsors" and will ask windward Boardshop if they are interested in participating.

I'd like the Rash Guards to say....MONTROSE BEACH KITEBOARDING CREW and have a 10x3in space to write in your name with a marker. The rest of it can have Logo's or Sponsors on it. It will need to be the outer most garment worn while on the water.

The Safety Vest ideas is interesting, but I think too easy to counterfit. Not a problem when we are all there, but what about the person who shows up and heads out alone. We've already experienced "fake streamers".

I'd like to have a new packet ready soon. It should include two copies of the operating plan and rules. One will be signed and retained by ????windward?

We are working on Rash Guards and the New Packet.


Mike

[skysurfr]

Am I thinking "old school" with a packet of information?

should the registration be "online"?

We have to see the PASA or IKO card etc. so a face to face may be the only way to do this.

[skysurfr]

I have been in touch with both Windward and DaKine today.

There is a special way of screening rash guards with ink that will stretch.

Mike

[skysurfr]

Met with the owners of Windward Board Shop and discussed Montrose and the registration process. When we re-register and distribute rash guards, they will be able to handle distribution and be able to collect and money due for the cost of the rash guard.

Met with Adrien and discussed what needs to be done:

1. Art for one side of the rash guard suitable for screening.

2. Sign's (possibly meet with the Park District on this matter)

3. New Registration Package.

[Kevin]

I'd vote for the rash guards to be a uniform color that stands out. If orange and white can't be used, maybe yellow. I like to wear a vest and wearing the rash guard over it doesn't seem like a comfortable fit. So if these are long sleeve rash guards hopefully the brightly colored sleeves would stand out enough to do the trick. Or I see myself choosing to ditch the vest most days, I'd obviously follow what we all agree to.

[Nygs]

Why the switch to rash guards? Have we had problems using the streamers?

Seems like a pain in the ass to squeeze a rashguard OVER a wetsuit or drysuit...

[Dutchkiteboarder]

get a size bigger and u can put it over your wetsuit with no problems. when i was working on the beach back home as a water sport instructor i hadto do it all the time. or if u really don't feel for it we might be able to tlget those safety vests instead ? the streamers didn't work unfortunate. read all about it in the big montrose discussion

[JohnHall]

Just back from 2 weeks in Tarifa and pumped for season now although not cold weather. A buddy of mine has been riding npx suit this past winter and loves it and convinced me so going to pick one up. What about people that ride in drysuits and rashguards?

[kitenick]

I'm not a rocket scientist but here are my comments below:

1. have the sign simply state: No kiteboarding without approved rash guard. To obtain a rash guard visit chichagokitesurfing.com. Have instructions on the site
2. the rash guards should be numbered and logged by whoever distributes them
2a. whoever receives a numbered rashguard is responsible for it, no loaning it out
3. whoever distributes them checks for the proper IKO rating
4. the cost of the rashguard is borne by the kiter
4a. if you wear a wetsuit uby the right size
5. the beach is all of ours and our collective responsibility to "sheriff" others

[skysurfr]

Ok,

Im back from Thailand and here's what I found.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?fbid=1991795759606&id=1384765946&aid=154250&l=17e980f5f2

Sparkling Bedazzled Vests, Super Hero outfits, Swaddled in Orange Robes, or really cool rashguards?


Rashguards can easily be worn over your vest, suit etc. In fact it's safer to do so. It prevents the lines from being tangled on your buckles on your vest.

Mike

[skysurfr]

...and yes they were kiteboarding in those outfits. It was the Thai New Year celebration (songkran) and the local expat riders like to do it up in style.

[skysurfr]

kitenick-

yes to all of that.

One point of confusion is "policing". We are "self policing", that means we have promised to regulate ourselves. Also, the city doesn't actively want to come and check on us etc, unless we start causing problems. So if you're asking..."are the guards checking?" the answer is no, not until there's a problem and we all get thrown out. They are watching and will report back to their bosses that we are no longer following the rules, and then I'll get a phone call to inform us that we're banned again.

We have to check eachother or the city will take over the program, probably ban us during the summer months, and severely regulate it at other times.

It's up to us to keep the beach safe and make sure that we are all following our own rules.

Mike

[skysurfr]

I was early for dinner last night and stopped to look at the beach.

Lot's of sand blew in and the bottom of the rock steps is about burried. Also, it looks like you could step over the dog fence closer to the land side of the beach. It was still really flat and wet with the big rollers last night.

Looked pretty packed down for any land boarders, not that I condone that activity ... lol.

Anyone been in the water? It looked like it was pretty shallow for quite a way out.

[skysurfr]

The guards show up any day now.

Remember that we are expected to fly a streamer, be certified to an I intermediate level or better, and follow the safety rules 100% of the time.

Please review the rules here and on the Chicago Park District website.

In an effort to share the work of keeping us on the beach, please direct any questions concerning the day to day operation to Paul, John A, and Adrien. (anyone one else want on this list?)

If there's anything you'd like me to address with the city, please don't hesitate to ask. I've got "signs with the rules" on then list already.


Mike

[skysurfr]

http://www.cpdit01.com/resources/non-motorized-water-sports/

Here's the link to the Park Districts website and rules.

Also....Montrose Beach is showing "pay and display" parking and "street parking". You may have to feed a meter.

Mike

[skysurfr]

I have a message to return a call to the PArk District. Anyone crash into the Memorial Day crowds? Anything I should know before I return the call?

Mike