Unique geography makes Hood River a world-famous windsurfing and kiteboarding destination.
The town is perched on the high bluffs of the huge, scenic Columbia River Gorge - a massive basalt canyon that cuts through the Cascade Range of mountains.
On spring, summer and fall days, the sun roasts the dry deserts of eastern Oregon and Washington. The hot air rises - and sucks cool air from the Pacific Ocean through the natural wind tunnel of the Columbia River Gorge.
Hood River is at one of the narrowest points in the Gorge, so the wind's power is funneled between high cliffs. When that happens, the wind rips over the water at speeds up to 35 miles per hour - and creates perfect conditions for world-class windsurfing and kiteboarding.
The west wind pushes the Columbia River water, which is flowing east, into big wind waves. Expert windsurfers and kiteboarders catapult off the waves into high, twirling jumps.
Many of the world's top windsurfers live in Hood River during the spring and summer, and the area is a vacation spot for wind addicts from all over the world.
Experts and Newbies
Dozens of windsurfing and kiting spots dot the Columbia River near Hood River. Some spots are best for experts, while others, such as The Hook near downtown Hood River, offer sheltered water that is perfect for newbies.
Many local windsurfing shops and schools offer inexpensive package deals that include gear and wetsuit rental and lessons. Most newbie windsurfers are standing on their boards and tacking into the wind on their first or second lesson.
Even experts can learn new techniques, as many instructors rank among the world's best windsurfers and kiters.
Hood River Spots
Newbies - and lots of windsurfing schools - go the The Hook, a sheltered cove near downtown Hood River.
The Event Site, which is on the banks of the Columbia River at the Port of Hood River, is the spot where experienced windsurfers rocket out over the river waves.
The Spit - a sandy delta where the Hood River flows into the Columbia River, is near downtown, and it's where kiteboarders launch into the river. Strict rules keep kiteboarders and windsurfers in different spots, as the long, tight lines of the kites can be dangerous.
The Columbia Gorge Windsurfing Association keeps tabs on dozens of spots on the Oregon and Washington sides of the Columbia River. Many of the best spots are in or near Hood River.
The Town of Hood River
Hood River overlooks the Columbia River and Hood River, and is the gateway to the stunning Hood River Valley, where thousands of acres of pear, apple and cherry orchards cover rolling hills. Mount Hood, Oregon's highest peak, hovers over it all.
Many visitors travel through the Hood River Valley to see blooming trees in spring and buy fresh furit summer through late fall.
Hood River is a charming, old-school Oregon town with a delightful mixture of vintage and modern buildings, great restaurants, hotels and motels - and even campgrounds for budget visitors.
Hood River Setting and Seasons
Hood River is a one-hour drive east of Portland, Oregon on I-84. This drive takes visitors through the stunning Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. Steep basalt cliffs, waterfalls, rugged rock formations and forested ridges loom over the broad Columbia River.
Windsurfers and kiters play on the river almost year-round, but late May through September are high season for wind addicts from all over the world.
Newbie to expert visitors soon realize that this little corner of Oregon is one of the best places to feel the power of the wind - and some never leave!
Chester Allen - Chester Allen has never been able to understand why anyone would live or vacation in a dry, gritty desert. Water -- whether it's salty ...
