GS9 - Super Long Report on Page 61 - NCKA Rules!

Sad I am going to miss this year but every year Logan has Dad's day at scholl this weekend and I have missed it every time. Not this year so out this year , at least I can hit Sonoma coast much earlier this year. Have fun and make sure to get a tune up and brakes checked before heading up! 
Tight Lines!
Jimbo

You will be missed....but good call!

+1 - we'll miss you, Jimbo.

Thanks I will miss everyone for sure. Will definitely try yo get up here later in the year for sure.

I just spent 20 minutes on the phone with Jack, the owner of Shelter Cove Campground and Deli.  Here's the scoop:  Jack wanted everyone to know that he's pleased to accommodate members of our club, but he had some very clear and direct stipulations about how the event weekend will go down at his property.  I was very pleased to engage Jack on this level, and I'm in full support of his position.  I started out by saying that numbers are down this year, and my intent is to build up the family aspect of my event while hopefully cutting back on any rowdiness, unruliness and disrespectful behavior on the part of the Gimme Shelter tournament group.  I suggested that I'd be in support of him just renting campsites like it's a normal busy weekend instead of having the group area we've had in the past.  Jack stated that he'll make the decision on that, and it'll be based on what he feels is best for his campground - again, I'm in full support.

Important points:

- Non-payment for camping, extra vehicles and other services that the campground provides will NOT be tolerated.  If someone from our group fails to pay for the services rendered at the campground or any other Cove business that person or persons will be kicked out of the campground and disqualified from the event.
- There's NO cleaning of fish/game in the campground - that's what the cleaning station right across the street is for.
- Jack sets up a place to wash gear like wetsuits - do NOT wash your gear in the showers.
- No rowdy drunkenness - you will be kicked out and disqualified from the event.
- No firearms or other weaponry are to be brandished in the campground or anywhere else at the Cove as part of Gimme Shelter.
- Only participants in the tournament will be allowed in the group camping area if Jack chooses to have one.
- All campground patrons must be respectful of others or they'll be kicked out.

This may sound harsh and negative - it's not.  I feel that the vast majority of our group consists of respectful and well behaved people who want to enjoy the fishing and camaraderie at Shelter Cove, and a few rude and disrespectful people should not be jeopardizing our enjoyment and use of facilities like the campground or anywhere else at Shelter Cove.  If you don't feel that you like the terms here then by all means cancel your plans and stay home - if you call me prior to April 20th when I put in my shirt and hoodie order I'll refund your money, and if you are only coming to hang out then please keep all of this in mind.  There are people every year who don't sign up for the tournament, and that's fine - you're even welcome to come to the potluck, but please be aware that we are representing each other as an online kayak fishing club.  Don't act in a way that disrespects that association with a great group of people who conduct themselves with high regard for honoring one another and our local hosts.

Thank you very much for taking this to heart, and please feel free to provide feedback and/or reinforcement of this message.

Gimme Shelter at Shelter Cove, California is a place for peace, love and good times with family and close friends - let's keep it that way.   

There is no need for skipping out on paying, being rude and obnoxious, or going against any of these simple rules. I support this 100%.

There is no need for skipping out on paying, being rude and obnoxious, or going against any of these simple rules. I support this 100%.

+1

Counting down the days til GS9!

True dat^. You wouldn't do that in ur hood...don't do it in someone else's!!

Kinda sad that those types of things need to be stated but always a good idea to bring them to light!  Have fun everyone!

Looks pretty reasonable to me and not any different from anyplace I have stayed.  It might be helpful to clarify what is expected of people not staying in the campground, such as where to park and if they are expected to pay as a visitor who is not spending the night. In the past, I have rented a house but spent evenings with friends at the campground.  Sometimes I parked in my friends campsites or near them.  Does this violate the extra car issue?  I'll be in the campground with the Man Van this year so this isn't an issue for me but it could be for others. 

Martin

Looks pretty reasonable to me and not any different from anyplace I have stayed.  It might be helpful to clarify what is expected of people not staying in the campground, such as where to park and if they are expected to pay as a visitor who is not spending the night. In the past, I have rented a house but spent evenings with friends at the campground.  Sometimes I parked in my friends campsites or near them.  Does this violate the extra car issue?  I'll be in the campground with the Man Van this year so this isn't an issue for me but it could be for others. 

Martin

Good points, Martin.  Thanks for bringing it up.  If you're not registered at the campground then please park outside the gate.  I drive through several times because I'm handing out dozens of tournament packets - otherwise I wouldn't be driving in there.  The campground doesn't want to have to police us, so let's not give them anything to wonder about - like driving through or parking in there if you're not registered...

Thank you all for the support on this.

Another couple of points:

I've heard some reports of locals complaining that people in our group drive too fast - I think it's BS because a high percentage of locals drive very fast, but, again, let's not give them any fuel.  Drive slowly, watch for deer and kids and pedestrians.  Enjoy your time at the Cove and take it slow like you're in the islands.  Also, I've heard reports of some local business people complaining!  I have no idea what that's about because we obviously bring lots of $ flow to town, but please try to let local businesses know when you're patronizing them that we're happy to support the local economy.  Jack told me about a new business in town that's in that great old restaurant building that overlooks the harbor - "Lost Coast Surf Shack".  Apparently a woman named Leanne runs it and she's got it well stocked with SUP rentals, ab gear, boards, yaks, Cove memorabilia and t-shirts...etc.  Jack says she's cool, so I'm buying stuff there to show my support.  If you have relatives or friends who need a wetsuit or other toys for the day please consider checking her gig out.

All that sounds reasonable to me. Most of it is basic common sense.

Martin has a good point too. If you are visiting someone in the campground, park outside the campground and walk in (I would suggest parking by the lighthouse or the Machi statue or the boat trailer lot).

  Jack told me about a new business in town that's in that great old restaurant building that overlooks the harbor - "Lost Coast Surf Shack". 

+1
She's been on the scene for a while...former partner of Tsunami. Gave my wife a killer deal on a hoodie recently. Also bought some essentials for the kids in there (extra swimsuit, sand toys, etc). I'll stop to say Hi when in town.   

All good points on Jack's, Eric's, and others concerns. Maybe one other item that might be addressed in advance...."Parking/traffic on the beach". I know Eric covers this at the safety meeting but it is difficult to hear his speech due to the size of the crowd.  I have made all the recent GS events and have yet to park on the beach. With limited parking down there it only seems reasonable for the able bodied people in our group to wheel down and lock your wheels at the guardrail. This relieves the pressure on the launching tractor and other truck/boat launchers. There is always someone willing to allow us to hitchhike on their tail gate for a ride back up the hill towing your kayak. Just a thought. Let's have fun!!!

All good points on Jack's, Eric's, and others concerns. Maybe one other item that might be addressed in advance...."Parking/traffic on the beach". I know Eric covers this at the safety meeting but it is difficult to hear his speech due to the size of the crowd.  I have made all the recent GS events and have yet to park on the beach. With limited parking down there it only seems reasonable for the able bodied people in our group to wheel down and lock your wheels at the guardrail. This relieves the pressure on the launching tractor and other truck/boat launchers. There is always someone willing to allow us to hitchhike on their tail gate for a ride back up the hill towing your kayak. Just a thought. Let's have fun!!!

I have noticed more boat  trailers on the beach lately so parking will be even more limited.  Since I may be camping this year I will probably wheel mine since it beats loading in on the truck every time and resetting all up on the yak.

Thanks for reiterating that this is a family event.  I've never been to a GS event, but I have been to other events.  Everyone seems so nice and friendly, it's hard to believe that there has ever been any problems.  The only thing that has ever happened at any event I attended was the music with the obscene lyrics.  Rap stuff that would singe the hair off a sailor.  Ha!  (No, not the uke jam sessions!)  I can't even say if it was anyone within the NCKA group or some other camper.  I just kept moving on until I found a group chilling out and far enough away to not hear the lyrics. 

I am also cheered to hear that bumming a ride up the hill may not be problem.  I am not as young as I used to be and dragging my PA up that hill has me rethinking what I would do.  Sounds like carting it DOWN the hill to the water won't be a problem?

Thanks for reiterating that this is a family event.  I've never been to a GS event, but I have been to other events.  Everyone seems so nice and friendly, it's hard to believe that there has ever been any problems.  The only thing that has ever happened at any event I attended was the music with the obscene lyrics.  Rap stuff that would singe the hair off a sailor.  Ha!  (No, not the uke jam sessions!)  I can't even say if it was anyone within the NCKA group or some other camper.  I just kept moving on until I found a group chilling out and far enough away to not hear the lyrics. 

I am also cheered to hear that bumming a ride up the hill may not be problem.  I am not as young as I used to be and dragging my PA up that hill has me rethinking what I would do.  Sounds like carting it DOWN the hill to the water won't be a problem?

2-3 people on the tailgate of a truck holding their kayak with wheels attached is the easiest way up the hill.

What are the tides looking like for GS?

Very reasonable Eric, I think the group as a whole can monitor each other, and we all know what is expected of us.