New to the area, looking for tips

F_Dutchman · Since 19 Apr 2009 7 Posts Portland, OR New Member

Afternoon all,

I just moved out to Portland, and was looking for some info on where to ride / good launch spots / etc. I got pointed to this forum by one of the guys at Gorge Performance. So! I was wondering if you guys could spare me any pointers. It'd be much appreciated, as I currently have no clue past that the Gorge is a happy place for kiting.

Little background in case anyone is curious. I've been kiting for about 5 years now, and windsurfing since before that. I'm from Ohio, and pretty much all my kiting experience is from Cape Hatteras in the summer. I'd rate myself as one step above beginner, seeing as I don't get to kite that often. Looking to change that though.

Any hints you can send my way are greatly appreciate. Thanks all!

Nic · Since 21 Jul 2008 109 Posts Bend, Oregon Stoked

Hey man, welcome to the northwest. Check out the Spots tab on the top it has some good info. A lot of guys post up where they are going to be and give some on site reports so that is a good way to check some spots. If you show up to a spot, its most likely someone will be kiting and you can see the launch area... general flow of the spot. Hope to see you out there!

pdxmonkeyboy · Sun Apr 19, 09 5:35 pm

Yeah, I would say the spots tab is a good place to start. We are getting really close to the regular season nwind patterns kicking in and that means westerlies throughout the gorge and north wind at Jones and Sauvie.

If your a 9-5 guy, sauvie is a really good place. If you can escape the traffic (i.e. you work on the east side of PDX) then you can hit Stevenson after work. DO NOT ATTEMPT to launch at Stevenson before watching others and TALKING to the other kiters and letting know you never launched there.

Weekends are for kiting the gorge.. Stevenson, the sand bar (aka the zoo), rufus,, etc etc. If your new to the gorge you must plan a weekend out at roosevelt as well. AWESOME place!! One of my favorite places but I never get out there that much.

Have fun, be safe, you have arrived at meca!!

Oh yeah, almost forgot. Come to the stevenson clean up on saturday!!!! It will be a great time with lots of kiters and free beer. If you don't like free beer, go post on kiteforum and leave us alone Laughing

F_Dutchman · Since 19 Apr 2009 7 Posts Portland, OR New Member

Free beer? I'm there!

Think you could hook me up with directions? I checked the cleanup thread and didn't see any...

EdG · Since 19 Dec 2005 425 Posts Just a Kook that's Obsessed

84 east to "Bridge of the Gods" turn right after bridge look for flying things in the air?

Lookup Slingshot HQ (old)

40 SW CASCADE AVE, SUITE 45
STEVENSON, WA 98648 U.S.A

Or PM me. I need a ride out Laughing

pdxmonkeyboy · Sun Apr 19, 09 7:44 pm

the BOG exit off 84 is Cascade Locks. Its about a 45 minute drive total from portland. It costs a buck to cross the BOG. once your in stevenson, head south over the RR tracks. The launch is all the way at the east end of the street that parallels the tracks. You won't be able to miss it.

You may want to bring $20 to join the CGKA as well. They are the group that organizes all the clean ups in addition to working on access and improvement of the launches.