First time Gorge visit- suggestions?

[cruzanboard]

Time for tourist questions to the locals.

Got 4 days visit at Hood River with the wife in early June. Was able to wrap this into an Oregon vacation from Sacramento. Reviewed the various sites along the Columbia and got saturated pretty quick. So many sites! Looking for some quick suggestions to help reduce the options.

Sail Sherman Island and the SF bay on a 95 to 120L board and 4.5 to 6.0 sails. 200 lbs. with gear. Intermediate level. Into fun cruzing, bump & jump. Looking for a nice area I can hang out. The Event Site and the Hatchery look good. Any other suggestions??? Thanks.

[isobars]

Yes. SEARCH this forum with key words such as Gorge or "Hood River", then visually scan a year's worth of posts in this Northwest forum. You'll find hundreds of posts relevant to your quest.

Mike \m/

[windfind]

Hi Cruzanboard,

Mail me and at mike@iwindsurf.com I will give you some ideas on places to sail etc. in the Gorge. Also check the wind graph pages for each major site and you will find a site description and a map.

Mike Godsey
iwindsurf.com

[cgoudie1]

Mr. Cruzanboard

Might I suggest a quick look at this page http://utahwindriders.org/forum/gorgeinfo.php
and maybe a click on
the "Top 20 Launch Guide" it's old, but still valid, and was
wonderfully informational when we were first Gorging it.

The Event Site can be pretty festive mid Summer and is worth
a 1 day shot, but in my opinion is also the most dangerous
beach in the Gorge (mostly due to hard kook'n). Stevenson
at Bob's Beach, or the Boat Ramp is going to be similar to what you
experience at your local venue (also very little current). If that's
too tame try Rowena, if that's too tame, try Rock Creek. If those
don't get you a head full of happy chemicals try The Hackery or Doug's.
and if those don't make you cry Uncle, shoot on out to The Wall on a
good day. Almost any place can blow really hard, but overall, you're
gonna love it.

-Craig

[U2U2U2]

my stay last year,, twice, so sorry not a local, the Event site is ok, crowded has kites, lots of NON locals as well, Hatchery , if its windy will be crowded, a nice launch. and 1 thats like Little Baja @ Rio Vista, ..umm down the rocks.

all the shops in HR, (you don't say if you are taking or renting gear, )will point you in the right direction for the wind, its entirely possible to be at the Event site, and no wind, and just a short piece away at Swell City see sailors lite up.
BigWinds, Gorge SurfShop, Windance .......

I liked Dougs, Stevenson esp on East wind, just like the Delta on flood, and the more east spots, Roosevelt, Maryhill, the Wall , you should be prepared to travel, the worst I sailed at was outstanding

[ericandholly]

Stevenson sounds like the best place for you. Beautiful place to sail, mellow-er winds and good hang.

[ericandholly]

Stevenson sounds like the best place for you. Beautiful place to sail, mellow-er winds and good hang.

[cruzanboard]

Thanks for the tips.
The wife wanted to fly up, rent a car and I'd rent gear.
I said NOT! I'll take my truck with my gear and enjoy the drive.
Not sure how I will react to so many shops nearby.
May need to buy something.

[trance]

go to big winds rent gear from them.

sail Rowena

then go to 5th ave grill for happy hour and wife will be stoked

done! enjoy!!

[trance]

[quote="cruzanboard"]Thanks for the tips.
The wife wanted to fly up, rent a car and I'd rent gear.
I said NOT! I'll take my truck with my gear and enjoy the drive.
Not sure how I will react to so many shops nearby.
May need to buy something.

[/quote ] renting is great-i used to own gorge gear but now i rent new naish gear from big winds. I love it so much i'm off to maui and renting from naish pro centre while i'm there! best part about renting is you give the gear back to them with less depreciation and your gear is always current now i put all my money into slalom and formula gear