Throat legend

Tours Travel

History of windsurfing

Although windsurfing pioneers such as Rhonda Smith and Doug Campbell discovered the attributes of the Gorge in the summer of 1979, the Gorge’s rise to fame came immediately after the popularity of many destinations such as Maui and hot spots in Europe. On those warm beaches in the early 1980s, stories of the gorge’s wild winds were told like legend.

And who can resist the legend? He is not a professional windsurfer, for sure. And so they got to see it for themselves until, in the mid-1980s, Gorge gained international renown. The inaugural Columbia Gorge Pro-Am sailboard race in 1984, while intended to be a regional event, was all it took to open the international floodgates.

World-class windsurfing had come to the Columbia River Gorge to stay.

“Just seeing everything, the gorge, the river, the waves, it seemed incredible. But what really made the difference was the wind. It’s something you have to feel to believe.”

-Brian Carlstrom, Gorge’s First Windsurfer

Why a legend?

The unique geography is responsible for the constant nukin ‘winds that come up just as they are ticking off many other destinations. The Columbia River Gorge, a huge canyon running through a mountain range, forms a natural wind tunnel in warmer months. Warm air, rising from the eastern desert of Oregon and Washington, draws cool air from the Pacific Ocean through the gorge.

The effect reaches its zenith in Hood River, the narrowest point in the Gorge, where wind energy is channeled between high cliffs. Here, the wind whips through the water at speeds of up to 40 miles per hour and the waves reach supernatural heights as the west wind pushes against the flow of the Columbia River. The result? Perfect conditions for world class windsurfing and kitesurfing. Experts catapult white-capped waves into great spinning jumps. Consequently, Hood River windsurfing is where the most action is.

And it’s not just for professionals because you can find a wide range of boating conditions depending on where you sail within the natural venturi.

Another plus is that the gorge is in the midst of rugged natural beauty. In addition to windsurfing, you can enjoy the spectacular scenery by walking, biking, or sailing through the beautiful Mount Hood National Forrest.

There is also an international flavor with boaters from around the world making Hood River windsurfing their passion each summer.

Finally, many pioneering windsurfers like Brian Carlstrom, Jeff Hughes, Les Crichton and Rhonda Smith have stayed and opened state-of-the-art equipment and instruction stores.

Hot spots in the area

The Columbia Gorge Windsurf Association identifies more than 55 “surf spots” in the area. Doug’s Sports offers a list of the most popular venues.

The experts will find a good navigation from Swell City to the hatchery. Windsurfers of all abilities should head to the stretch between Rowena and Doug’s Beach State Park, named after Gorge windsurfing legend Doug Campbell, who also owns Doug’s Sports in Hood River. Beginners should head to Bingen and the Hood River Marina, the most popular spot on the river.

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