myiW Current Conditions and Forecasts Community Forums Buy and Sell Services
 
Hi guest · myAccount · Log in
 SearchSearch   ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   RegisterRegister 
learn to waterstart Gorge
Goto page 1, 2  Next
 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    iWindsurf Community Forum Index -> Northwest USA & Canada
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
peterbelden



Joined: 09 Apr 2001
Posts: 56

PostPosted: Sun Jul 26, 2020 2:18 pm    Post subject: learn to waterstart Gorge Reply with quote

What are the best sail spots in the Gorge (Hood River) to learn to water start? We've sailed at the outside up wind side of the Hook which was nice because of the onshore wind and fake grass rigging area. Are there any other spots one would recommend within driving distance of Hood River? The event site seems to have side shore wind I recall but perhaps somewhere in there is there a spot whether either one can touch the bottom or where the wind blows you down into a safe place? Thanks!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
windfind



Joined: 18 Mar 1997
Posts: 1899

PostPosted: Sun Jul 26, 2020 3:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi Peter,

If the wind is not too WNW Dougs has a long shallow area at the launch side. Just walk upwind far enough near shore so you are not drifting into the sailing area. Then water start and sail out making sure to stop before the water gets too deep.

As you progress you can sail across the river on mild days to several hundred feet from the Oregon side where it is also shallow enough for practicing water starting.

I have marked the areas in the satellite image below. Ignore the weird E. wind today.

Mike Godsey
iwindsurf.com/ikitesurf.com
Weatheflow.com



ZZTEMP.jpg
 Description:
 Filesize:  118.45 KB
 Viewed:  37593 Time(s)

ZZTEMP.jpg




Last edited by windfind on Sun Jul 26, 2020 5:16 pm; edited 1 time in total
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
peterbelden



Joined: 09 Apr 2001
Posts: 56

PostPosted: Sun Jul 26, 2020 4:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
ericandholly



Joined: 20 Jun 1999
Posts: 292

PostPosted: Sun Jul 26, 2020 6:33 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I taught my wife at The Hook on the on-shore wind side.

We are still married!! Razz Very Happy Exclamation
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
peterbelden



Joined: 09 Apr 2001
Posts: 56

PostPosted: Sun Jul 26, 2020 7:17 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

That is astounding. Teaching one's spouse anything is challenging at best.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
paulxgrim



Joined: 27 Jul 2001
Posts: 11

PostPosted: Mon Jul 27, 2020 3:13 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

We've had some success teaching water start on Horsethief lake (pic). Not the big part, but the little "bay" on the north end. Great steady wind and very safe (no current/easy to swim back). Also very weedy by early summer and a rocky bushwhack launch. Not for everybody but it is a good alternative to the hook. Also, way back in the day, I taught a friend to water start at The Dalles water front park between shore and the islands. Good protection from current. Lastly, I think the pond at 3-mile is hands down the best place to learn in the gorge. Not close to Hood River, but a great place to go camping and give lessons for a couple of days and make quick progress.


DSC_2179.jpg
 Description:
 Filesize:  417.88 KB
 Viewed:  37430 Time(s)

DSC_2179.jpg


Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
cgoudie1



Joined: 10 Apr 2006
Posts: 2597
Location: Killer Sturgeon Cove

PostPosted: Tue Jul 28, 2020 10:42 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

You might also consider the Dalles River Front Park. Shallow along the
inside between shore and the island, and because of a slight tweek in
the river direction the wind is somewhat on-shore, especially if it is NW.

-Craig
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
ldhr



Joined: 10 Apr 2000
Posts: 121

PostPosted: Tue Jul 28, 2020 6:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Dougs is a huge risk - if the person falls in the middle of the river - they won't be able to get back up due to the current and bigger swell. Also impossible to uphaul.
Hook is best.
Mosier is good - but currently closed for locals only.
Hood River Marina is a good spot - shallow water so they can progressively go deeper and deeper.
Lyle Sandbar was the go to spot in the 90's - you need to access by boat. Illegal to cross the train tracks.


But seriously - go camp at Floras Lake and let the pros teach her. She'll learn in a day and you'll have a good time.
https://www.floraslakekiting.com/windsurf
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
westender



Joined: 02 Aug 2007
Posts: 1288
Location: Portland / Gorge

PostPosted: Tue Jul 28, 2020 9:13 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Doug's, home of the land jybe. Don't sail out any farther than you want to swim back.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
isobars



Joined: 12 Dec 1999
Posts: 20935

PostPosted: Tue Jul 28, 2020 9:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Many moons ago the walk in the water along the south/OR side was a sand-bottomed piece of cake from Doug's to Rowena. If you drift too far west, just pick your favorite depth and walk back east. Once again ... many moons ago.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    iWindsurf Community Forum Index -> Northwest USA & Canada All times are GMT - 5 Hours
Goto page 1, 2  Next
Page 1 of 2

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You can attach files in this forum
You can download files in this forum

myiW | Weather | Community | Membership | Support | Log in
like us on facebook
© Copyright 1999-2007 WeatherFlow, Inc Contact Us Ad Marketplace

Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group