The Gorge and Hood River
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nanmoo
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The Gorge and Hood River
Most of you have been going to the Gorge for years but I figured as a newbie, I’d offer my review of the place.
I’ve been reading and hearing about the Gorge and Hood River since I started windsurfing a year and a half ago, I guess it was inevitable that I would eventually make it down. The plan was for a quick trip to Hood River to pick up some gear for myself and Keener, down on the last ferry Friday night, and back to Victoria on the last ferry Sunday evening. First off, I have to say that despite the customs line up; taking the Coho is far easier (and slightly less expensive) then taking a BC Ferry. Ferry traffic is far more predictable and the Olympic peninsula is far more relaxing than Blaine to Olympia. After the strip search at customs it was a quick two hour jaunt to a rest stop south of Olympia for the night and then another 2.5 hours from there to Hood River in the morning. This place is hot, it immediately reminded me of Kamloops or even Kelowna, and roughly the same cost/distance from Victoria. Hood River is in a super nice location on the side of the hill overlooking the Columbia River, plenty of real estate I was drooling over. There are plenty of neat coffee shops and eateries in HR, reminiscent of Victoria, Tofino or Whistler. On a sunny weekend in August the town is packed and finding parking is harder than finding a kiter not wearing boardshorts over their wettie. All the ‘wind’ shops are within walk-able distance from downtown, and they all have their own distinctive “attitude.” Big Wind’s definitely has the most polished feel to it, you can tell they cater to the ultra-rich American Adventure vacationers that frequent this area (more on that later). Windance is by far the most “core” shop, no frills, mostly disorganized, but crazy good deals, Thai food in the parking lot and the best coffee in town out of a French press next door. In my opinion the shops were larger and better stocked than anything you see on Maui, the prices were also way better (example $299 for NEW 2008/09 Goya 3d wave sails).
Now I only had two days here and only checked out a few spots of which I sailed at two, so my review of the sailing is slightly limited. I had read others sailing logs saying only boardshorts were required so I didn’t bring anything but. I have to admit at first I was a bit concerned after sticking my feet in the water and seeing the majority of other riders were wearing full-suits to shorties, some full decked out including booties and a hood. But wow, the water is damn warm, probably warm than Maui in April, in fact standing on the beach after coming off the water was probably warmer than Maui. It was my first time sailing freshwater (Nitinat doesn’t really count), and woowwweee did it feel nice and refreshing. The wind at the Event site is crazy; all I had brought down with me was a 5.3 as I was picking up a 4.7 and 4.2 in HR. Initially at 1030 am this looked like it was going to be suicide but I rigged it and hit the water anyways. At first it was balls out OP, but then it backed off to perfect 5.3 conditions. After 30 minutes of that it died almost completely. Every 30 minutes or so from noon on it would come back for 15 minutes of 5.3 conditions the completely die again, it did this until I left for Rowena sometime before 4. This was super frustrating and lame, it did nothing to build up the swell, and I was the only one venturing out as everyone else just sat on the lawn hoping for something better laughing at my slog-a-thon. After I met up with Caleb he suggested I head out to Rowena which is generally where he will sail after work, and about a 15 minute drive downwind. Perfect 4.7 at first, the river was like a good windy day at Nitinat minus jellyfish plus barges. After having too much fun for an hour and a half the wind decided to crank up and get stupid. Rowena is packed on the weekend and you are lucky to park remotely close to the beach, far too far for me to walk to rig the 4.2 which would have also still been overpowered. Ah well, after 45 minutes or so in holy crap conditions I called it a day, we set up camp at the nearby state park (nice spot) and headed in to town for dinner at the Pourhouse (good food and prices). After breakfast beside Windance and some shopping in the morning to appease Melodie, we drove to check out some spots but ultimately Rowena seemed the best bet again. Since it was still before noon the parking situation was way better and we parking about as close as you can get to the water. Today the swell was much better; there were ramps pretty much everywhere and on both tacks. Some of the swells were good for a slash or two, but they don’t set up for quite as long as Kook Street or Gordon’s and quickly disappear under your feet. The wind was really up and down; you’d blast two reaches then slog most of your third, wash, rinse, repeat. The swell picked up a notch or two to the point where it got really fun, like a good 4.7 day at Gordo’s, my footgina, now over a month old, was reeling from being pinned into the straps while blasting multiple airs. True to lore, at about 2 pm it went nuclear yet again, cranked up suddenly to 4.2, near 3.7, conditions. The chop flattened out in between the swells making it like the best windy days on the outside at Kook street. Called it quits after a few of the biggest launches I’ve done yet plus a few holy-crap-OP’d yard sales here and there. All and all it was pretty damn fun, comparing it to home, it just sucks how the wind is so variable from one extreme to another, but maybe I have just spent too much time at Nitinat this summer.
13 things about Hood River
1. This place is damn hot, even at night, even with the wind. The car read 28.5C blasting into 30 knot winds.
2. The locals are friendly but I found the American visitors to be mostly rude. I have to think this is because you have a lot of active-lifestyle-type-ridiculously-wealthy-already-rude Americans vacationing here who think they are better than the run-of-the-mill-flat-slob-already-rude Americans. So where you’d normally be just one step below the run-of-the-mill-fat-slob-already-rude Americans now you are actually two castes below. No offence intended.
3. Shop at Windance for the best deals and go next door for the best coffee.
4. Boardshorts or a speedo is all you need, the water is warm and fresh and the wind blows warm like a hair dryer.
5. I love no sales tax in Oregon.
6. Further to points 3 and 5 – be prepared to spend more money than you expected despite crazy deals and no sales tax.
7. The wind here is extremely variable and only moderately predictable, you know it will blow, but where, when and how hard is a lot harder to tell.
8. Be prepared to do a lot more driving then you’d expect. This ain’t Maui, if you want to chase the best wind be prepared to drive 50-100 km a day unless you get the right spot first. The beginner spot at the event site looks great. Save money and skip the event site altogether and go 200 ft down river to the new (free) city park, it’s got a beautiful grass field to rig and sit in and a super wide stepped ramp down the to launch.
9. Don’t slip. A slimy algae that puts KY to shame lines the shore no matter where you go, you really need to be careful entering the water or you’ll end up on your ass with a dent or two in your board and a black bruise ruining both otherwise lily white cheeks.
10. If you think Nitinat is a time warp for old gear then HR is a black hole accessed by a Delorean with Michael J. Fox as your chauffeur. I have never seen so many seat harnesses in my life. Also – what the hell is up with the vintage 80’s full suit, booties and gloves in 28C???!!!???
11. The barges... ahh what can I say about these. They are not as frequent as stuff on the web might suggest, but what freaks you out is the trains that sound like a barge. So here you are blasting around and you crash, and an oncoming train starts to rumble, maybe blows a horn, and you realize you didn’t actively check for barges before you crashed and here it sounds like one is bearing down on your head. In the troughs you can’t see jack, and after a few moments of panic induced boardshort soiling, you realize it’s just another train. As a side note these trains make the campgrounds noisy – but I actually didn’t find that it affected my sleep.
12. You don’t have to shower after a session – I can’t stress how awesome this is. The water even tastes good (not sure if this is recommended).
13. Sail windows stay clear and all your gear feels fresh and clean, like you brought it into the bubble bath with you.
I’ve been reading and hearing about the Gorge and Hood River since I started windsurfing a year and a half ago, I guess it was inevitable that I would eventually make it down. The plan was for a quick trip to Hood River to pick up some gear for myself and Keener, down on the last ferry Friday night, and back to Victoria on the last ferry Sunday evening. First off, I have to say that despite the customs line up; taking the Coho is far easier (and slightly less expensive) then taking a BC Ferry. Ferry traffic is far more predictable and the Olympic peninsula is far more relaxing than Blaine to Olympia. After the strip search at customs it was a quick two hour jaunt to a rest stop south of Olympia for the night and then another 2.5 hours from there to Hood River in the morning. This place is hot, it immediately reminded me of Kamloops or even Kelowna, and roughly the same cost/distance from Victoria. Hood River is in a super nice location on the side of the hill overlooking the Columbia River, plenty of real estate I was drooling over. There are plenty of neat coffee shops and eateries in HR, reminiscent of Victoria, Tofino or Whistler. On a sunny weekend in August the town is packed and finding parking is harder than finding a kiter not wearing boardshorts over their wettie. All the ‘wind’ shops are within walk-able distance from downtown, and they all have their own distinctive “attitude.” Big Wind’s definitely has the most polished feel to it, you can tell they cater to the ultra-rich American Adventure vacationers that frequent this area (more on that later). Windance is by far the most “core” shop, no frills, mostly disorganized, but crazy good deals, Thai food in the parking lot and the best coffee in town out of a French press next door. In my opinion the shops were larger and better stocked than anything you see on Maui, the prices were also way better (example $299 for NEW 2008/09 Goya 3d wave sails).
Now I only had two days here and only checked out a few spots of which I sailed at two, so my review of the sailing is slightly limited. I had read others sailing logs saying only boardshorts were required so I didn’t bring anything but. I have to admit at first I was a bit concerned after sticking my feet in the water and seeing the majority of other riders were wearing full-suits to shorties, some full decked out including booties and a hood. But wow, the water is damn warm, probably warm than Maui in April, in fact standing on the beach after coming off the water was probably warmer than Maui. It was my first time sailing freshwater (Nitinat doesn’t really count), and woowwweee did it feel nice and refreshing. The wind at the Event site is crazy; all I had brought down with me was a 5.3 as I was picking up a 4.7 and 4.2 in HR. Initially at 1030 am this looked like it was going to be suicide but I rigged it and hit the water anyways. At first it was balls out OP, but then it backed off to perfect 5.3 conditions. After 30 minutes of that it died almost completely. Every 30 minutes or so from noon on it would come back for 15 minutes of 5.3 conditions the completely die again, it did this until I left for Rowena sometime before 4. This was super frustrating and lame, it did nothing to build up the swell, and I was the only one venturing out as everyone else just sat on the lawn hoping for something better laughing at my slog-a-thon. After I met up with Caleb he suggested I head out to Rowena which is generally where he will sail after work, and about a 15 minute drive downwind. Perfect 4.7 at first, the river was like a good windy day at Nitinat minus jellyfish plus barges. After having too much fun for an hour and a half the wind decided to crank up and get stupid. Rowena is packed on the weekend and you are lucky to park remotely close to the beach, far too far for me to walk to rig the 4.2 which would have also still been overpowered. Ah well, after 45 minutes or so in holy crap conditions I called it a day, we set up camp at the nearby state park (nice spot) and headed in to town for dinner at the Pourhouse (good food and prices). After breakfast beside Windance and some shopping in the morning to appease Melodie, we drove to check out some spots but ultimately Rowena seemed the best bet again. Since it was still before noon the parking situation was way better and we parking about as close as you can get to the water. Today the swell was much better; there were ramps pretty much everywhere and on both tacks. Some of the swells were good for a slash or two, but they don’t set up for quite as long as Kook Street or Gordon’s and quickly disappear under your feet. The wind was really up and down; you’d blast two reaches then slog most of your third, wash, rinse, repeat. The swell picked up a notch or two to the point where it got really fun, like a good 4.7 day at Gordo’s, my footgina, now over a month old, was reeling from being pinned into the straps while blasting multiple airs. True to lore, at about 2 pm it went nuclear yet again, cranked up suddenly to 4.2, near 3.7, conditions. The chop flattened out in between the swells making it like the best windy days on the outside at Kook street. Called it quits after a few of the biggest launches I’ve done yet plus a few holy-crap-OP’d yard sales here and there. All and all it was pretty damn fun, comparing it to home, it just sucks how the wind is so variable from one extreme to another, but maybe I have just spent too much time at Nitinat this summer.
13 things about Hood River
1. This place is damn hot, even at night, even with the wind. The car read 28.5C blasting into 30 knot winds.
2. The locals are friendly but I found the American visitors to be mostly rude. I have to think this is because you have a lot of active-lifestyle-type-ridiculously-wealthy-already-rude Americans vacationing here who think they are better than the run-of-the-mill-flat-slob-already-rude Americans. So where you’d normally be just one step below the run-of-the-mill-fat-slob-already-rude Americans now you are actually two castes below. No offence intended.
3. Shop at Windance for the best deals and go next door for the best coffee.
4. Boardshorts or a speedo is all you need, the water is warm and fresh and the wind blows warm like a hair dryer.
5. I love no sales tax in Oregon.
6. Further to points 3 and 5 – be prepared to spend more money than you expected despite crazy deals and no sales tax.
7. The wind here is extremely variable and only moderately predictable, you know it will blow, but where, when and how hard is a lot harder to tell.
8. Be prepared to do a lot more driving then you’d expect. This ain’t Maui, if you want to chase the best wind be prepared to drive 50-100 km a day unless you get the right spot first. The beginner spot at the event site looks great. Save money and skip the event site altogether and go 200 ft down river to the new (free) city park, it’s got a beautiful grass field to rig and sit in and a super wide stepped ramp down the to launch.
9. Don’t slip. A slimy algae that puts KY to shame lines the shore no matter where you go, you really need to be careful entering the water or you’ll end up on your ass with a dent or two in your board and a black bruise ruining both otherwise lily white cheeks.
10. If you think Nitinat is a time warp for old gear then HR is a black hole accessed by a Delorean with Michael J. Fox as your chauffeur. I have never seen so many seat harnesses in my life. Also – what the hell is up with the vintage 80’s full suit, booties and gloves in 28C???!!!???
11. The barges... ahh what can I say about these. They are not as frequent as stuff on the web might suggest, but what freaks you out is the trains that sound like a barge. So here you are blasting around and you crash, and an oncoming train starts to rumble, maybe blows a horn, and you realize you didn’t actively check for barges before you crashed and here it sounds like one is bearing down on your head. In the troughs you can’t see jack, and after a few moments of panic induced boardshort soiling, you realize it’s just another train. As a side note these trains make the campgrounds noisy – but I actually didn’t find that it affected my sleep.
12. You don’t have to shower after a session – I can’t stress how awesome this is. The water even tastes good (not sure if this is recommended).
13. Sail windows stay clear and all your gear feels fresh and clean, like you brought it into the bubble bath with you.
Don't forget to bring a towel!
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downwind dave
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nanmoo
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bahaha, I know I know.. there is that nuclear site upriver where they produced the material that went into the nukes they dropped on Japan and now it is the largest industrial cleanup project in the world. Apparantly there are underground tanks the size of several football fields slowly leaching radioactive sludge towards the Columbia.
Don't forget to bring a towel!
Great to read someone else's little journey log for a change 
I stopped writing mine for the last trip, too much work and not enough feel-good responses, people think u like to rub it in....where in essence all i wanna do is....well, yeah, rub it in 
1. This place is only damn hot in July/aug, it is very pleasant with more current in May and June when we get suspect weather here. When too hot, head to the Marina, u can even plug the AC in if ya got one and lounge under a tree in a breeze
2. The locals are friendly but I also find them helpful. This town has the most fit and tight bodied outdoor activity oriented people I have ever had the pleasure to see
3. Shop at Windance, they have gotten a bit tighter over the past two or so years but yeah, best customer service, great for used gear. Also highly recommencnd 2nd wind, big winds as you say and expensive.
4. Boardshorts or a speedo is all you need? well, the shortie is a good plan for crashing etc.
5. I love no sales tax in Oregon...bigtime.
6. spend more money than you expected despite crazy deals and no sales tax- bigtime
7. The wind here is extremely variable and only moderately predictable--- if you don't know ....after a few years u too will figure this out
the trick is to know when to arrive and leave the hatchery for the east.
8. Be prepared to do a lot more driving then you’d expect. to chase the best wind be prepared to drive 50-100 km a day. ----There is NO right spot first. Avoid the event site, worst wind around. 200 ft down river to the new (free) city park, it’s got a beautiful grass field to rig and sit in and a super wide stepped ramp down the to launch. ----....but I thought it was No windsurfing/kiting launching there
9. Don’t slip. A slimy algae that puts KY to shame lines the shore no matter where you go...----well, again, you will figure this out, Dougs and it's beauty sand has no slime for example but yeah, Hatch being one where my ass got black and blue.
10. If you think Nitinat is a time warp for old gear then HR is a black hole .... vintage 80’s full suit, booties and gloves in 28C???!!!???---- These are the kooks that come from far and wide, just like us but without the ocean sailing and regular wind
11. The barges... freak me to this day, try sailing some spots with no sight distance or when swept under MaryHill bridge channel with a barge coming and after the wind dies in the spring.... to crap yer short.....
12. You don’t have to shower after a session – ...The water even tastes good (not sure if this is recommended). --- Not sure I agree about that....but it is improving, I noticed last couple times that any wounds no longer turn into nuclear fallout-like infected sores but after afew days you start to smell of river and fertilizer via your pores, so I recommend showers, dood 
and yeah, might wanna drink other stuff
13. Sail windows stay clear and all your gear feels fresh and clean...bubble bath with you......----whatever, and then with the heat comes the mould, rinse them at home off Klean Klover Point
PS: I don't understand why anyone would sail @Rowena......there are better places, esp if you have company along. This goes for a few other spots too where the pink seat harness frequency is high, like Viento. Try the Wall, Doug's or Arlington for swell after the Hatch in the morning. For significant other/family camping/ sailing and scoring points, head to the Mary Hill campground, trains yes but fruit and lawn and sail/camp at the beach. Bring drinking water.
I stopped writing mine for the last trip, too much work and not enough feel-good responses, people think u like to rub it in....where in essence all i wanna do is....well, yeah, rub it in 1. This place is only damn hot in July/aug, it is very pleasant with more current in May and June when we get suspect weather here. When too hot, head to the Marina, u can even plug the AC in if ya got one and lounge under a tree in a breeze
2. The locals are friendly but I also find them helpful. This town has the most fit and tight bodied outdoor activity oriented people I have ever had the pleasure to see
3. Shop at Windance, they have gotten a bit tighter over the past two or so years but yeah, best customer service, great for used gear. Also highly recommencnd 2nd wind, big winds as you say and expensive.
4. Boardshorts or a speedo is all you need? well, the shortie is a good plan for crashing etc.
5. I love no sales tax in Oregon...bigtime.
6. spend more money than you expected despite crazy deals and no sales tax- bigtime
7. The wind here is extremely variable and only moderately predictable--- if you don't know ....after a few years u too will figure this out
the trick is to know when to arrive and leave the hatchery for the east.8. Be prepared to do a lot more driving then you’d expect. to chase the best wind be prepared to drive 50-100 km a day. ----There is NO right spot first. Avoid the event site, worst wind around. 200 ft down river to the new (free) city park, it’s got a beautiful grass field to rig and sit in and a super wide stepped ramp down the to launch. ----....but I thought it was No windsurfing/kiting launching there
9. Don’t slip. A slimy algae that puts KY to shame lines the shore no matter where you go...----well, again, you will figure this out, Dougs and it's beauty sand has no slime for example but yeah, Hatch being one where my ass got black and blue.
10. If you think Nitinat is a time warp for old gear then HR is a black hole .... vintage 80’s full suit, booties and gloves in 28C???!!!???---- These are the kooks that come from far and wide, just like us
but without the ocean sailing and regular wind 11. The barges... freak me to this day, try sailing some spots with no sight distance or when swept under MaryHill bridge channel with a barge coming and after the wind dies in the spring.... to crap yer short.....
12. You don’t have to shower after a session – ...The water even tastes good (not sure if this is recommended). ---
Not sure I agree about that....but it is improving, I noticed last couple times that any wounds no longer turn into nuclear fallout-like infected sores but after afew days you start to smell of river and fertilizer via your pores, so I recommend showers, dood and yeah, might wanna drink other stuff13. Sail windows stay clear and all your gear feels fresh and clean...bubble bath with you......----whatever, and then with the heat comes the mould, rinse them at home off Klean Klover Point
PS: I don't understand why anyone would sail @Rowena......there are better places, esp if you have company along. This goes for a few other spots too where the pink seat harness frequency is high, like Viento. Try the Wall, Doug's or Arlington for swell after the Hatch in the morning. For significant other/family camping/ sailing and scoring points, head to the Mary Hill campground, trains yes but fruit and lawn and sail/camp at the beach. Bring drinking water.
Last edited by KUS on Mon Aug 09, 2010 6:10 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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nanmoo
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The Hatch did not blow very well either day I was there, and Rowena was a closer drive knowing that we would be looking for a) food and camping after sailing on saturday b) sticking close to HR since I'd have to duck out for the drive home and didn't want to make the drive any further than it had to be. I understand there are better spots and I checked out a few of them, but unless I wanted to keep driving, the wind was up here and I did not want to violate rule #1.
The new city park has a beach where you cannot launch, but a purpose built launch 50 feet downwind from the beach for windsurfing (not sure if kiting is allowed). There is a big sign with an arrow that points down it saying launch, so it must be legit.
The new city park has a beach where you cannot launch, but a purpose built launch 50 feet downwind from the beach for windsurfing (not sure if kiting is allowed). There is a big sign with an arrow that points down it saying launch, so it must be legit.
Don't forget to bring a towel!
Was in HR a few weeks ago. The number of people, sails and kites blew me away. Drove through the first day and no wind. The day I was there iit was early afternoon and very gusty. Our first encounter was unfriendly. Was told by a kiter to get out of his way unless we had a wetsuit and kite when we were standing on the grass decideding whether to rig up. Then the guy had the nerve to swipe this little kid with his kite as he walked by, just to show him that he 'owned the beach' it looked like. Other than that seemed to be a pretty sweet place.
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nanmoo
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Melodie just pointed out one thing I left from this post.
14. Traffic. All along the highways there are signs that say "Left lane is for passing only" or "It is illegal to drive in the left lane - passing only" or something to that effect. Yet as soon as you turn left at Portland, compliance with this law seems to evaporate. But what's worse is that every a-hole in the left lane going even slower than the truck speed (cars 70 MPH, trucks 60 MPH) would finger me as I passed them in the slow lane, then honk, finger, yell or worse, if I then proceeded to get back in the fast lane to pass actual slow traffic in the correct lane. As near as I can tell from my travels this problem seems to be endemic to the region. Dicks!
14. Traffic. All along the highways there are signs that say "Left lane is for passing only" or "It is illegal to drive in the left lane - passing only" or something to that effect. Yet as soon as you turn left at Portland, compliance with this law seems to evaporate. But what's worse is that every a-hole in the left lane going even slower than the truck speed (cars 70 MPH, trucks 60 MPH) would finger me as I passed them in the slow lane, then honk, finger, yell or worse, if I then proceeded to get back in the fast lane to pass actual slow traffic in the correct lane. As near as I can tell from my travels this problem seems to be endemic to the region. Dicks!
Don't forget to bring a towel!
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more force 4
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Nanmoo, it took me 12 years+ to get there so you are doing well. I know several accomplished sailors from here that have never been. I wish I'd been earlier, it would have encouraged me to take more formal holidays. A few other points:
1. When its roasting, there are county/forestry/state parks on both Wash and Ore sides that are up tributaries. Even though they are only a 20 min drive or less from the COlumbia, they are way cooler due to altitude etc. I grew up in Kamloops and LOVE the heat (if I don't have to work);
2. Wow, I never had any unpleasant encounters with any locals/visitors
7-8. It was pretty predictable on my first trip there; it blew hard early at the Hatch and by afternoon upriver at Rowena/Dougs. I really liked Rowena, it had nice waist-shoulder-high ramps when Dougs was way overhead and pretty intimidating. I could get out and sail in 40 knots plus plus on an overpowered 3.4 and only be somewhat scared. I was lucky and got close parking, way closer than Dougs, though I did like the beach and swell at Dougs when it was a mere 4.0 - 3.7. Gonna have to get to Maryhill next time, it sounds fantastic.
9. My feet are still bruised from slipping on bedrock trying to get my gear out of the water at the Hatch.
12 13. Last time at the Hatch, I talked to some rubbered-up people about the water temp, they were "its freezing you'll need your full suit" and I foolishly believed them and nearly died of heat prostration. No. The Oregon Coast you need a 4/5 in July. Not at Hood River!
I never got sick or infected and I had read the stories in years past. Seems to be better. Re: clear sail windows, as others have said, they will mildew with fresh water, that doesn't happen with salt. Read your HSM rigging guides!
14. Never had any issues driving either and generally found people better than Victoria drivers re: signalling, being patient etc; but then I was mostly going truck speed. I heard another, recent I-5 horror story yesterday so they sure happen.
1. When its roasting, there are county/forestry/state parks on both Wash and Ore sides that are up tributaries. Even though they are only a 20 min drive or less from the COlumbia, they are way cooler due to altitude etc. I grew up in Kamloops and LOVE the heat (if I don't have to work);
2. Wow, I never had any unpleasant encounters with any locals/visitors
7-8. It was pretty predictable on my first trip there; it blew hard early at the Hatch and by afternoon upriver at Rowena/Dougs. I really liked Rowena, it had nice waist-shoulder-high ramps when Dougs was way overhead and pretty intimidating. I could get out and sail in 40 knots plus plus on an overpowered 3.4 and only be somewhat scared. I was lucky and got close parking, way closer than Dougs, though I did like the beach and swell at Dougs when it was a mere 4.0 - 3.7. Gonna have to get to Maryhill next time, it sounds fantastic.
9. My feet are still bruised from slipping on bedrock trying to get my gear out of the water at the Hatch.
12 13. Last time at the Hatch, I talked to some rubbered-up people about the water temp, they were "its freezing you'll need your full suit" and I foolishly believed them and nearly died of heat prostration. No. The Oregon Coast you need a 4/5 in July. Not at Hood River!
I never got sick or infected and I had read the stories in years past. Seems to be better. Re: clear sail windows, as others have said, they will mildew with fresh water, that doesn't happen with salt. Read your HSM rigging guides!
14. Never had any issues driving either and generally found people better than Victoria drivers re: signalling, being patient etc; but then I was mostly going truck speed. I heard another, recent I-5 horror story yesterday so they sure happen.
Wow - NEVER had an issue with driving between HR and Portland, except for the one drunk/coked up driver who was passing trucks on the inside shoulder at 85+. And I drove that road more times than most as I used to work Portland and Richland (far east Columbia - the source of those isotopes - they're the good kind 
!) Bad timing Nanmoo.
It's not just the touristas overdressing, HR locals are pretty cold-water-soft too for the most part, I'm typically in a shortie by June, but the water does go from cold to warm in a heartbeat after the Spring freshet release by Bonneville Power, so take a full suit in May.
Maryhill is sweet! Get a bike and head up into the hills on no-wind days, cool and lovely riding. Or go play in the pools on upper White Salmon.
!) Bad timing Nanmoo.It's not just the touristas overdressing, HR locals are pretty cold-water-soft too for the most part, I'm typically in a shortie by June, but the water does go from cold to warm in a heartbeat after the Spring freshet release by Bonneville Power, so take a full suit in May.
Maryhill is sweet! Get a bike and head up into the hills on no-wind days, cool and lovely riding. Or go play in the pools on upper White Salmon.
We windsurf - life must be good!
-
downwind dave
- Website Donor
- Posts: 1469
- Joined: Thu Apr 29, 2004 9:05 am
- Location: Cobble Hill
this topic needs a video
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Wniy3xOXvs[/youtube]
..check out the classic pistol too
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Wniy3xOXvs[/youtube]
..check out the classic pistol too
