Windance | West Coast Guide | Sailing

Gorge Sailing Overview

Related Links: Gorge Sailing Site Guide, Gorge Intro Page

The Gorge. Among the most well-known windsurfing venues in the world, the name conjures up images of rolling swells and strong winds set to a backdrop of dramatic scenery. There just isn't any other place like it. The strong summertime winds funneled through a massive natural gorge more than 90 miles in length blow against the constant ebb of the Columbia River, snaking its way downstream to the Pacific Ocean. This collision of forces is what makes windsurfing here so special. The wind opposes the river's current creating rolling swells for jumping and riding. The current also means that it is easy to stay upwind here.

Most of the sailing takes place in the late spring, summer and fall months. Westerly winds are the most desirable and are also the most common. Cooler marine air to the west is constantly pulled eastward to replace the rapidly rising air of the arid eastern Oregon desert the only way possible, through The Gorge. The differences in pressure, local thermal effects and changing topography combine together to generate and funnel the wind down the length of The Gorge. The larger the pressure and temperature differences are between east and west, the windier it will be. Only when the east and west sides of the Cascade mountains are the same temperature and pressure does the wind die off. This makes time for all the other activities that abound here.

A typical summer's day begins with a thick marine layer (a cloud bank that stretches into the Pacific Ocean) in the western and/or central Gorge and clear skies and rising temperatures in the east. Where the clouds meet sun is usually the windiest place, but it can be gusty. A mile or two downwind from the clouds is usually the spot for the strongest consistent wind, but if you are looking for a little more or less wind another site is usually just a short drive away.

There are a few general rules of thumb for predicting summer wind in The Gorge:

1. Spring winds are usually best out east, summer winds are usually best in the Central Gorge, and fall winds are usually best from Hood River west.
2. Cold fronts will provide a "push" to westerly winds. The result is stronger and gustier conditions.
3. Sail near Hood River in the morning then go east after lunch if it fills in.
4. The mantra from "back in the day" still rings true - don't leave wind to find wind.
5. If its hot and glassy in The Gorge, it's windy at the Oregon Coast
6. Take 1 size bigger sail and fin for sailing easterly winds as they blow the same direction as the current.
7. Sail upwind or downwind of the crowds for a piece of the river to yourself.
8. On busy holiday weekends, head for the lesser known and less popular sites. The conditions might not be quite what you want, but you'll get them to yourself. After all, there is 90 miles of river to sail on.

Windance 108 Hwy. 35, Hood River, OR 97031
800: 1-800-574-4020
Direct: 541-386-2131

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