Water Sports Spring through fall, the Gorge acts like a natural wind tunnel, pulling cool air from the Pacific toward the heat of the high desert. Thanks to those reliable westerly breezes, the mighty Columbia River becomes a mighty big playground for a variety of wind and water sports in Hood River County. Cascade Locks has emerged as one of the nation’s premier destinations for sailors. The Columbia Gorge Racing Association hosts a variety of clinics and regattas, including several world championships. Sample the allure of the sport with Heart of the Gorge Sailing Adventures, which offers two-hour sunset sails aboard its 38-foot Catalina sloop in warmer months with an unparalleled vantage point of the Columbia River Gorge bathed in evening light. Today Hood River is recognized as one of the world’s top locales for windsurfing, kiteboarding and the latest wind sport to emerge, wing foiling. Watch athletes in action at the Hood River Event Site and Waterfront Park. Ready to give it a try? Get set up with lessons, rentals and advice at the Event Site and at gear shops like Big Winds and Windance Boardshop. Paddlers get in on the fun, too. On calm days, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards are perfect for exploring the shoreline, circling Wells Island and venturing up the mouth of the Hood and White Salmon rivers. West of Waterfront Park, launch from the Hook with Hood River SUP and Kayak. When the west winds kick into gear, paddleboards and surf skis ride the swell downwind from Cascade Locks or Viento State Park. Windsurfers on the Columbia River VISIT HOOD RIVER EXPLORE, FROM ABOVE! Scenic Rides · Flight Instruction · Membership Take flight at hoodriversoaring.org/soar Experience some of best ra ing in the country. Just 10 min. North of Hood River, Oregon 1.800.306.1673 • wetplanetwhitewater.com visithoodriver.com 23
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