Gorge in early June: what wetsuit?

RPM7 · Joined: 06 Jan 2006 Posts: 121

I'm making a trip home to OR in early June and hope to make it to the Gorge for a day of fun on the water. Since it's been years since I sailed there, can someone help me pick a wetsuit to pack for the expected air/water temps? Here's what I've got:

- NP 5/3 steamer (no zip)
- NP 3/3 convertible (short sleeve)
- 1/2 mil shorty (brrrr!!!)

Will I need my booties that time of year?

Also, who should I rent gear from? For convenience, I'll probably stick to renting right on the water (at the Event Site or Hook?). I'd love to sail the Hatch or Swell City again, but they lack on-site rentals, right? Any recommendations would be appreciated.
Thanks!
-RPM

isobars · Joined: 12 Dec 1999 Posts: 20935

I've been barefooted and barehanded since early April, but still enjoying a full dry suit in the 50-degree water. In early June you could still need that steamer; I surely will. Fuhgheddabout the shorty.

The Event site and Hook are just a few reaches from Hatch/Swell. Rent where the gear and sail where you want to sail. The bigger problem is the wind; it can be two dams and 80 miles away from the rental locations.

How good is your pinching?

Mike \m/

wsmike · Joined: 07 Jun 2003 Posts: 412

The water is still really cold due to the long winter and heavy snow fall up here, not expected to warm up too much before June. Even if it gets up to mid 50's that's no better than the coast which will make your bones ache.

I almost always wear booties in the gorge, just from experience. Too many idiots breaking bottles on rocks near the water, tin cans etc. Also there are shell shards and lots of pointy rocks so that if you're not 100% careful of how you step off your board or of how you slip and slide up the shore as you get out, its easy to sustain a foot injury that can put you out for at least a few days. Not worth the risk IMO especially for a guy on vacation who only has a few days.

The Hook is especially nasty, despite the ramp improvements they did this year. There must be a mollusk bed over there that makes razor sharp shells that specialize in slicing and dicing on tender parts, not to mention the brutal rocky escarpment from the water to the jetty.

andymc4610 · Joined: 19 May 2000 Posts: 684

your np 3/3.....i switch to a 3/2 shorty in mid to late june.

billgfc · Joined: 20 Aug 2006 Posts: 226

there are no safety guarantees with the 3mm in early June if you are stuck in the river. The snowmelt from the mountains is just starting with still around a 125 inches of snow at 4500 ft on Mt hood, for example.

A cool day in June can bring peak air temp in mid to high 50 s with water in mid fifties, depending on weather

On warm days, maybe 3mm, but if you get separated from the rig at the wrong place with no rescue , you are pushing it

Bring the two warmer suits, safety first then FUN:)

andymc4610 · Joined: 19 May 2000 Posts: 684

water seems just average to me...last year it was cold.

this year just normal.....

http://www.fpc.org/river/tempgraphs/NETtempgraph.aspx

bobgatpdx1 · Joined: 13 Oct 2002 Posts: 385

Early June is still pretty nippy (last year water temp was 56F through 6/15). I don't usually switch from my 5/3 fullsuit, to my 3/3 short sleeve suit until end of June. But I'm a wimp when it comes to being cold. If you add some sleeves and an undergarmet to your 3/3 shortsleeve that could work - Promotion has these. I always wear booties in the Gorge - too many rocks. The NP booties have a nice thin sole.

For rentals, BigWinds has been renting gear at the Event Site which is very convenient. You can also rent from the BigWinds or Windance shops, and take the gear wherever you want. But you have to take the gear over there yourself. They do rent those inflatable roof racks so you can schlepp the gear on your rental car.

happy sailing!
bobg

Boosty · Joined: 24 May 2001 Posts: 9

I recomend a DRYSUIT untill July. Idea

stuebing · Joined: 19 Jul 2000 Posts: 11 Location: Portland Oregon

I have a dry suite and a shorty. The transition from spring snow melt
to July 70F water temps is very rapid, so I have not bothered to get
a steamer. I usually switch in very late June.

Real Wind often has free demos (board and maybe sails) at Swell City.
Might contact Real Wind and see if they can accomodate your unwillingness to put rax on a rental car..

Carl Stuebing

biffmalibu · Joined: 30 May 2008 Posts: 556

(See "Tall ship..." discussion.) But I think that was foolish. Spend any time in the water around Hood River and you would be cold.

If I were you, I would leave the steamer at home and bring the boots with the two other suits. Why risk your vacation for a cut foot? You would hate yourself for all eternity.