My first Gorge Trip

[AirushDM]

Stephen,

Very nice description. We did have a blast, eh?!

We were off of the marina area in Hood River. There is a "kiting only' sandbar just west of the marina, but the walk or swim seemed a bit much from where we were (although that was the advice I got from the shops). It's a different parking area across the river (Hood river) for the kiting sandbar area, which wouldn't be fair to windsurfers. There is a deeper bay just east (other side of the restrooms) which really is perfect for windsurfing in high winds but small waves. This is where Stephen eventually launched from.
We opted for the central marina area to meet both our needs. I launched my kite from this sandbar just out from the main area. Maybe a 20m walk in 1-2ft of water, but I had it all to myself. Shallow all around with ramps and skinnies, so I knew this was a kiting hotspot. It was abit dicey close to my little sandbar, but for about a 1/4 mile area it is waist deep. All in all a very safe place for kiting with lots of room.

Also, it is not normally that squally, the cloud line was very close that day. I did almost end up in Idaho on my 12m, haha.

[Stephen]

Thanks for all of the nice comments. I think the best part of the trip is that I am sharing the board with my wife as an anniversary present! Thanks to the ladies windsurfing clinic at Cadborough bay, my wife is now getting into the sport - I am a lucky man!

See you on the water

[JL]

Nice work Dood & Doodet !

[downwind dave]

my first trip in sept 94 we had no idea where to go and it was like 4am so we pulled off and crashed out at viento park. 3 hrs later we were jolted awake by a train going by right next to us and then a ranger looking for his $15 (US!) because we were in a full hookup RV spot.
It blew east that day, i was on my 4.4 at stevenson while LeeL got blown down to the bridge of the gods on his 5.0 and had a serious walk and swim of shame! I remember being blown away that the big pink gorge animal caddy was actually parked right next to my truck; those dudes even said Hi to me!

[KUS]

Funny to hear the train story, I had towed my small trailer down with a buddy, got there similarly wicked 0 dark 30, parking at Celilo. If you've been there you know there is free overnight parking...and a train track right next to the parking lot obscured by vegetation and fence (decent early season sailing if the wind is a bit NW so Maryhill is getting skunked but you see waves...., that's the Celilo cue which is a few K's downriver). At around 3am I see the inside of the trailer lit right up, this awesome train horn screaming in my head, I concluded in haste some American comedian/psycho pulled us on the track and we're about to die. I slammed into the wall, tripping out the door screaming "geeeet oUUUUT" only to realize the train was now passing us on the track a few feet over (literally less than 5-6). (now, not then)

My first sail at the Gorge happened at Maryhill with a couple of guys who sailed a whole lot more'n me, teasing all the way I should not worry about wind, beginner areas were not much kinder and just to suck it up and go out with the gear I had cuz it wasn't much different than theirs...current was around 20.....Maryhill, huge waves with me barely waterstarting with confidence. I realize now 1m sail size is a big deal but I figured then I could hold on to the 4.5 I had while everyone was on 4's or better with small boards (which I did not have). After many a struggle which I attributed to inexperience and having had a breather, I had left my helmet on the beach accidentally and just for the one run out...on the way back I got slammed during a jump (very unintentional and not exactly controlled), smoked the boom (alu) which I bent like a pretzel with my nose and forehead and barely body dragged & made it to shore where I blew my cookies and then passed out. I came to a short while later thinking I better have a few beers and soak up some sun and ponder how much I both hated this place and the two I was sailing with on that day On that same trip I almost got arrested by the sail police when we almost got skunked at Swell City but I managed to get the 7m sail to go with a slalom board and sailors were looking in awe at the sail size, ha! This was around '93.