Gorge Online - Windsurfing Locations

Columbia River Gorge Windsurfing/Kiting Locations:

The Event Site, Hood River, OR - Windsurfing
More Difficult
River: Medium Chop
Wind: Good west
Beach: Contoured gravel
Parking: $3 day; $50 annual Hood river pass
Amenities: Grassy rigging, bleacher seating, restrooms, water, food
Cautions: Watch for barges and cruise boats in the river and docking.
Tip: Convenient for a quick sail, except during events.
Directions: Exit 63 off I-84, go north to the Columbia River.

Event Site. Photo: Ken Zeman

Kite Beach, between Hood River Marina and The Event Site, OR - Kiteboarding
Beginners to Difficult
River: Wide, shallow near shore
Wind: Moderate west
Beach: Sand
Parking: Free
Amenities: Restrooms, water, boat ramp
Cautions: Shallow sand bars, Hood River current pushes toward Washington. Shifty wind and boat traffic inside marina. Tip: Usually more people here than anywhere else to help out.
Directions: Exit 63 off I-84, go north to the Columbia River.

Rebeka Wolthers. Photo: Jim Semlor

Rock Creek, Mosier OR - Windsurfing
More Difficult
River: Wide with cross-choppy medium waves
Wind: Steady moderate
Beach: Small rocks
Parking: $2 day or $20 year, rough lot
Amenities: Porta-potty
Cautions: Watch for barges, deadheads, fishing nets, rocks and to the east submerged stumps
Tip: Drive down to the creekbed (usually dry in summer) to park.
Directions: Exit 69 off I-84, turn left on Rock Creek Rd, loop under freeway access road, then go right just after you cross the creekbed.

Bingen, WA - Windsurfing
More Difficult
River: Smooth flat water inside, small chop outside
Wind: Moderate west
Beach: Wide ramps down to narrow sand
Parking: Free
Amenities: Grassy rigging, porta-potties
Cautions: Watch out for fishing nets and working log boom. Keep the narrow beach clear fo equipment.
Tip: Excellent spot with smooth flat water inside for practising waterstarts and jibes, amd small chop outside.
Directions: Turn south at teh Bingen Marina sign one block east of flashing light or Hwy 14 in Bingen.

Rooster Rock, OR - Windsurfing
More Difficult to Most Difficult
River: Small swells and chop Wind: Nuclear fall, winter and spring east winds
Beach: Long and sandy
Parking: $3 day or $25 per year
Amenities: Lots of parking, grassy rigging area, picnic tables, restrooms, boat launch
Cautions: Strong current in easterlies. Longhike down bluff stairs and across beach
Tip: 40+ east winds early in the day common in fall, winter and spring. Lighter westerlies provide easter funboard sailing in summer.
Directions: I-84, exit 25, 25 miles east of Portland.

Home Valley, WA - Windsurfing/Kiting
Easier to More Difficult
River: Protected inside, moderate chop outside. Good east or west wind.
Wind: Lighter westerlies than farther east
Beach: Gradual, sandy cove and gravel beach
Parking: Free
Amenities: Porta-potties, camping, swimming, ballfields
Cautions: Watch for fishing nets and barges.
Tip: Launch here for eastwind downwinders to Stevenson.
Directions: Hwy 14, milepost 50, 6 miles east of Stevenson.

Swell City, WA - Windsurfing
Most Difficult
River: Great ramps on windy days
Wind: Excellent west wind
Beach: Small rocky beach
Parking: Very limited, $3 day or $40 year pass
Amenities: Porta-potties
Cautions: Watch out for Oregon side wind shadow and submerged pilings.
Tip: Don't hog the limited shoreline with your rig.
Directions: Hwy 14, milepost 61, 4 miles west of Hood River Bridge.

The Hatchery, WA - Windsurfing
Most Difficult
River: Large swells
Wind: Excellent west
Beach: Rocks; east cove is easier
Parking: Limited, do not park on the road
Amenities: Porta-potties
Cautions: Watch out for crowded launch
Tip: Spectator jibeatorium
Directions: 4 miles west of Hood River Bridge on Hwy 14.

The Hatchery

Inn Beach, Hood River, OR - Windsurfing
Easier, More Difficult
River: Flat water to small chop
Wind: Light west
Beach: Sandy protective cove
Parking: Free
Amenities: Grassy rigging, restaurant, hotel
Cautions: Boat traffic, barges
Tip: A good learning spot
Directions: Exit 64 off I-84, go around to the east side of the Hood River Inn.

Marina, Hood River, OR - Windsurfing
Easier, More Difficult
River: Wide, shallow near shore
Wind: Moderate west
Beach: Sand
Parking: Free
Amenities: Grassy rigging, restrooms, showers, food, picnic shelter, boat ramp
Cautions: Shallow sand bars, Hood River current pushes toward Washington. Shifty wind and boat traffic inside marina.
Tip: Good shallows for waterstart practice. Usually more people here than anywhere else to help out.
Directions: Exit 64 off I-84, follow signs to sailpark.

The Hook and The Pond Hood River, OR - Windsurfing
Easier to More Difficult
River: Inside-flat, outside smaill waves and chop
Wind: Strong west
Beach: Rock ramps down to water
Parking: Free
Amenities: Porta-potties

Cautions: Big wind shadow to lee of the island; do not walk across the island- it's a wildlife preserve.

Tip: Excellent spot for groups of differing abilities; practice waterstarts and jibes inside. Directions: Exit 63 off I-84, go north to the river, turn left to the end of the road.

Rowena, OR - Windsurfing/Kiting
More Difficult
River: Moderate wave and chop
Wind: Medium to strong west
Beach: Slippery rock shelf ledges and gravel.
Parking: $3 day; $25 year pass
Amenities: Porta-potties, picnic tables, water.
Cautions: Don't park int he loading zone.
Tip: Please keep out of the wetland preserve area east of the park. Pay attention here as there are lots of differing abilities at this site. Fun and easy sail to Doug's Beach.
Signs will say: Mayer Park East
Directions: Exit 76 off I-84, go north, cross tracks turn right 3/4 mile to the park.

Doug's Beach, WA - Windsurfing
Most Difficult
River: Large swells
Wind: Strong west wind
Beach: Small sand, grassy
Parking: $5 day; $25 year pass
Amenities: Porta-potties, picnic tables
Cautions: Trains, barges deadheads. Cross tracks only at teh crossing. Signal well in advance before you slow down to park. Keep your car and gear off the highway.
Tip: Named for Doug's Sports' Doug Campbell. Sail up or downwind to get way from crowds. Shallow on Oregon side.
Directions: Hwy 14, 3 miles east to Lyle near mile post 79, parking on the water side of the road.

Doug's West, WA - Windsurfing
Most Difficult
River: Large swells
Wind: Strong west wind
Beach: Small sand
Parking: ???
Amenities: None
Cautions: It is illegal to cross the tracks where there is no safety crossing, the fine is $250.
Tip: Don't sail here unless you can figure out a legal way to cross the tracks.
Arrival by water from Doug's or Rowena is better.
Directions: Hwy 14, 3 miles east to Lyle near mile post 79.
Rooselvelt, WA - Windsurfing More Difficult to Most Difficult
River: Flat inside, large swells outside
Wind: Strong west wind
Beach: Sand, small rocks
Parking: Plentiful
Amenities: Restroms, camping, grass rigging, boat launch
Cautions: Fishing nets, barges.
Tip: Best early and late season, especially when cloudline is at Maryhill.
East side of jetty is good for beginners - sandy bottom and no current.
Stronger on Oregon side.
Directions: 33 miles east of Maryhill on Hwy 14 near milepost 133, watch for sign to park.
Tiny community is next to, but not on, the mile-long road down to the park.

Arlington, OR - Windsurfing
More Difficult to Most Difficult
River: Big swells
Wind: Strong west wind
Beach: Launch from green sandbagged area only.
Parking: West end or near restrooms only.
Amenities: Nice park in town iwth swimming beach, playground equipment; marina has restooms and boat launch.
Cautions: Barges (moving and moored)
Tip: Beat sailing is out near grain elevator. Proected water for beginners and families on the town side of the freeway.
Directions: Exit 137 off I-84 loop under the freeway and out to the grain elevator.

The Wall, WA - Windsurfing
Experts Only
River: Big smooth swells
Wind: Strong west wind
Beach: Rugged shoreline
Parking: Limited pull-outs along the road.
Amenities: Part-time porta-potties
Cautions: Barges, rattlesnakes, fishing nets. Don't block cars in.
Tip: You'll see "The Wall" fron the water as you readh toward shore.
If the first spots are full, keep going and you'll probably find someplace to launch; the rroad coninues through primative Cliffs Park to John Day Dam and Hwy 14. The closer you get to the dam, the swifter the current.
Directions: East from Maryhill, 1 1/4 miles on gravel road. Watch for turn-offs leading down to primative launch sites, including the "Fishing Platform" and the "Cove".

Rufus, OR - Windsurfing/Kiting
More Difficult
River: Narrow fast current and swells
Wind: Strong west, fast current in spring
Beach: Small rocks down gradual slope
Parking: Plenty of free parking between large gravel pits
Amenities: Porta-potties
Cautions: Watch out for barges. Don't get stuck driving in loose gravel.
Tip: More consistent wind thatn Maryhill when the cloud line is at The Dalles.
Directions: Exit 109 off I-84, head for the river, go left after you cross the tracks, almost 1 mile to the gravel piles.

List provided by Doug's Sports, great deals on windsurf equipment!




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				WINDSURFING AND KITING LOCATIONS in the Columbia River Gorge Rebeka Wolthers. Photo: Jim Semlor
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		Columbia River Gorge Windsurfing/Kiting Locations: The Event Site, Hood River, OR - Windsurfing More Difficult River: Medium Chop Wind: Good west Beach: Contoured gravel Parking: $3 day; $50 annual Hood river pass Amenities: Grassy rigging, bleacher seating, restrooms, water, food Cautions: Watch for barges and cruise boats in the river and docking. Tip: Convenient for a quick sail, except during events. Directions: Exit 63 off I-84, go north to the Columbia River. Event Site. Photo: Ken Zeman Kite Beach, between Hood River Marina and The Event Site, OR - Kiteboarding Beginners to Difficult River: Wide, shallow near shore Wind: Moderate west Beach: Sand Parking: Free Amenities: Restrooms, water, boat ramp Cautions: Shallow sand bars, Hood River current pushes toward Washington. Shifty wind and boat traffic inside marina. Tip: Usually more people here than anywhere else to help out. Directions: Exit 63 off I-84, go north to the Columbia River. Rebeka Wolthers. Photo: Jim Semlor Rock Creek, Mosier OR - Windsurfing More Difficult River: Wide with cross-choppy medium waves Wind: Steady moderate Beach: Small rocks Parking: $2 day or $20 year, rough lot Amenities: Porta-potty Cautions: Watch for barges, deadheads, fishing nets, rocks and to the east submerged stumps Tip: Drive down to the creekbed (usually dry in summer) to park. Directions: Exit 69 off I-84, turn left on Rock Creek Rd, loop under freeway access road, then go right just after you cross the creekbed. Bingen, WA - Windsurfing More Difficult River: Smooth flat water inside, small chop outside Wind: Moderate west Beach: Wide ramps down to narrow sand Parking: Free Amenities: Grassy rigging, porta-potties Cautions: Watch out for fishing nets and working log boom. Keep the narrow beach clear fo equipment. Tip: Excellent spot with smooth flat water inside for practising waterstarts and jibes, amd small chop outside. Directions: Turn south at teh Bingen Marina sign one block east of flashing light or Hwy 14 in Bingen. Rooster Rock, OR - Windsurfing More Difficult to Most Difficult River: Small swells and chop Wind: Nuclear fall, winter and spring east winds Beach: Long and sandy Parking: $3 day or $25 per year Amenities: Lots of parking, grassy rigging area, picnic tables, restrooms, boat launch Cautions: Strong current in easterlies. Longhike down bluff stairs and across beach Tip: 40+ east winds early in the day common in fall, winter and spring. Lighter westerlies provide easter funboard sailing in summer. Directions: I-84, exit 25, 25 miles east of Portland. Home Valley, WA - Windsurfing/Kiting Easier to More Difficult River: Protected inside, moderate chop outside. Good east or west wind. Wind: Lighter westerlies than farther east Beach: Gradual, sandy cove and gravel beach Parking: Free Amenities: Porta-potties, camping, swimming, ballfields Cautions: Watch for fishing nets and barges. Tip: Launch here for eastwind downwinders to Stevenson. Directions: Hwy 14, milepost 50, 6 miles east of Stevenson. Swell City, WA - Windsurfing Most Difficult River: Great ramps on windy days Wind: Excellent west wind Beach: Small rocky beach Parking: Very limited, $3 day or $40 year pass Amenities: Porta-potties Cautions: Watch out for Oregon side wind shadow and submerged pilings. Tip: Don't hog the limited shoreline with your rig. Directions: Hwy 14, milepost 61, 4 miles west of Hood River Bridge. The Hatchery, WA - Windsurfing Most Difficult River: Large swells Wind: Excellent west Beach: Rocks; east cove is easier Parking: Limited, do not park on the road Amenities: Porta-potties Cautions: Watch out for crowded launch Tip: Spectator jibeatorium Directions: 4 miles west of Hood River Bridge on Hwy 14. The Hatchery Inn Beach, Hood River, OR - Windsurfing Easier, More Difficult River: Flat water to small chop Wind: Light west Beach: Sandy protective cove Parking: Free Amenities: Grassy rigging, restaurant, hotel Cautions: Boat traffic, barges Tip: A good learning spot Directions: Exit 64 off I-84, go around to the east side of the Hood River Inn. Marina, Hood River, OR - Windsurfing Easier, More Difficult River: Wide, shallow near shore Wind: Moderate west Beach: Sand Parking: Free Amenities: Grassy rigging, restrooms, showers, food, picnic shelter, boat ramp Cautions: Shallow sand bars, Hood River current pushes toward Washington. Shifty wind and boat traffic inside marina. Tip: Good shallows for waterstart practice. Usually more people here than anywhere else to help out. Directions: Exit 64 off I-84, follow signs to sailpark. The Hook and The Pond Hood River, OR - Windsurfing Easier to More Difficult River: Inside-flat, outside smaill waves and chop Wind: Strong west Beach: Rock ramps down to water Parking: Free Amenities: Porta-potties Cautions: Big wind shadow to lee of the island; do not walk across the island- it's a wildlife preserve. Tip: Excellent spot for groups of differing abilities; practice waterstarts and jibes inside. Directions: Exit 63 off I-84, go north to the river, turn left to the end of the road. Rowena, OR - Windsurfing/Kiting More Difficult River: Moderate wave and chop Wind: Medium to strong west Beach: Slippery rock shelf ledges and gravel. Parking: $3 day; $25 year pass Amenities: Porta-potties, picnic tables, water. Cautions: Don't park int he loading zone. Tip: Please keep out of the wetland preserve area east of the park. Pay attention here as there are lots of differing abilities at this site. Fun and easy sail to Doug's Beach. Signs will say: Mayer Park East Directions: Exit 76 off I-84, go north, cross tracks turn right 3/4 mile to the park. Doug's Beach, WA - Windsurfing Most Difficult River: Large swells Wind: Strong west wind Beach: Small sand, grassy Parking: $5 day; $25 year pass Amenities: Porta-potties, picnic tables Cautions: Trains, barges deadheads. Cross tracks only at teh crossing. Signal well in advance before you slow down to park. Keep your car and gear off the highway. Tip: Named for Doug's Sports' Doug Campbell. Sail up or downwind to get way from crowds. Shallow on Oregon side. Directions: Hwy 14, 3 miles east to Lyle near mile post 79, parking on the water side of the road. Doug's West, WA - Windsurfing Most Difficult River: Large swells Wind: Strong west wind Beach: Small sand Parking: ??? Amenities: None Cautions: It is illegal to cross the tracks where there is no safety crossing, the fine is $250. Tip: Don't sail here unless you can figure out a legal way to cross the tracks. Arrival by water from Doug's or Rowena is better. Directions: Hwy 14, 3 miles east to Lyle near mile post 79. Rooselvelt, WA - Windsurfing More Difficult to Most Difficult River: Flat inside, large swells outside Wind: Strong west wind Beach: Sand, small rocks Parking: Plentiful Amenities: Restroms, camping, grass rigging, boat launch Cautions: Fishing nets, barges. Tip: Best early and late season, especially when cloudline is at Maryhill. East side of jetty is good for beginners - sandy bottom and no current. Stronger on Oregon side. Directions: 33 miles east of Maryhill on Hwy 14 near milepost 133, watch for sign to park. Tiny community is next to, but not on, the mile-long road down to the park. Arlington, OR - Windsurfing More Difficult to Most Difficult River: Big swells Wind: Strong west wind Beach: Launch from green sandbagged area only. Parking: West end or near restrooms only. Amenities: Nice park in town iwth swimming beach, playground equipment; marina has restooms and boat launch. Cautions: Barges (moving and moored) Tip: Beat sailing is out near grain elevator. Proected water for beginners and families on the town side of the freeway. Directions: Exit 137 off I-84 loop under the freeway and out to the grain elevator. The Wall, WA - Windsurfing Experts Only River: Big smooth swells Wind: Strong west wind Beach: Rugged shoreline Parking: Limited pull-outs along the road. Amenities: Part-time porta-potties Cautions: Barges, rattlesnakes, fishing nets. Don't block cars in. Tip: You'll see "The Wall" fron the water as you readh toward shore. If the first spots are full, keep going and you'll probably find someplace to launch; the rroad coninues through primative Cliffs Park to John Day Dam and Hwy 14. The closer you get to the dam, the swifter the current. Directions: East from Maryhill, 1 1/4 miles on gravel road. Watch for turn-offs leading down to primative launch sites, including the "Fishing Platform" and the "Cove". Rufus, OR - Windsurfing/Kiting More Difficult River: Narrow fast current and swells Wind: Strong west, fast current in spring Beach: Small rocks down gradual slope Parking: Plenty of free parking between large gravel pits Amenities: Porta-potties Cautions: Watch out for barges. Don't get stuck driving in loose gravel. Tip: More consistent wind thatn Maryhill when the cloud line is at The Dalles. Directions: Exit 109 off I-84, head for the river, go left after you cross the tracks, almost 1 mile to the gravel piles. List provided by Doug's Sports, great deals on windsurf equipment!

	Gorge Online - For Advertisting Info please call 1-541-350-9850 or email: info@gorgeonline.com