How fast is the current?

markamcclure · Since 20 May 2011 172 Posts Portland, OR Stoked

My brother is coming up from S.F. for some kiting. He is experienced; I am not. Does anyone know how fast the current is running (in knots)? How does it compare to the ebb and floods at Sherman Island (S.F.)?

Youkai · Since 08 Feb 2010 553 Posts Beaverton Addicted

I don't know how fast it is technically but it's fast. An experienced kite boarder shouldn't have any trouble with it so long as he doesn't end up too far from his board.

Chooch · Mon Jun 13, 11 8:40 pm

Huge difference compared to Sherman. Guessing in the 6-8 knot range at the moment (depending on the spot in the river). Its dangerous out there right now no matter what your skill level. May be easy to kite in the current but imagine having to swim in 1/2 a mile in it if your gear fails.

holly · Since 09 Jul 2006 440 Posts Hood River Obsessed

well the current actually is prob only flowing around 5 knots. I know this because I have to measure current speed for my job and although its not on the Columbia that I do this measurement, I am throwing out my educated guess.

pdxmonkeyboy · Mon Jun 13, 11 11:42 pm

HRnico · Since 22 Mar 2008 262 Posts Da Hood Obsessed

At the WS bridge on the one flat Friday we had, my ski boat was reading 7.5 mph

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

Was teaching a friend with the jet ski last two weeks - pretty tough for a beginner to body drag for board - thinking he is 99 percent in no current - 20% in the deluge....

Thought about a board leash for him - but he does have the occasional catch an edge to kite loop fail - could see the board rocket out of thei current and annihilate him....

Be safe

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1691 Posts I give out bad advice.

He was able to body drag to board, but we rigged for power. He was on a 14 and I was on a 12. The current is quick in some places and slower in others. My buddy was able to get to his board, but had to make really long reaches.

It's doable, but I think the student needs to be powered up really well.

Ron

Thatspec · Since 17 Mar 2008 125 Posts Ptucky Stoked

Having spent a lot of hours recently on both surfski and sup at the White Salmon rivermouth and other high current locations (with a gps), it's really only around 3.5-4mph and that's in the strongest spots. Haven't much time in at Sherman but it's pretty similar to a good strong ebb at the South Tower of the Golden Gate bridge.

beech · Since 21 Aug 2010 485 Posts Longview, WA Obsessed

pdxmonkeyboy · Tue Jun 14, 11 9:39 am

7.5 mph? I think your ski boat spedo needs calibrating. That would be around 11 feet per second which I assure you, the Columbia hasnt flowed that fast in the hood river area since before the dams went in. That would be like kiting in an upper hood river rapid in the spring.

5-7 tops which is around 3-4.5 mph. At any rate, it's fast. I was out at mcnary dam last week and directly downstream of the dam , which is essentially a free flowing part of the river, was likely flowing around 11-12 fps and it was hauling ASS. The channel buoys were almost horizontal with big standing waves in front of them.

Bottom line, be carefully out there and keep an eye on other peeps.

Youkai · Since 08 Feb 2010 553 Posts Beaverton Addicted

NCKite_Ryder · Since 16 Mar 2011 38 Posts Nor Cal Coast

Can't be much stronger than Crissy Field on a heavy ebb?!? Or can it??????