Pssst - Looking windy this weekend

forrest · Since 21 Jun 2005 4330 Posts Hood River Hick **CGKA Member**

Don't tell anyone!

Chooch · Thu Mar 26, 09 10:16 pm

Dont forget that Lyle is closed

forrest · Fri Mar 27, 09 4:08 am

You blew it. Everyone, Chooch just turned the wind off. Good job man!

kt · Since 16 Mar 2005 764 Posts Portland, Or Opinionated

how about rowena? i windsurfed there and remember it being a bit gusty but, no worse than any other place in the gorge. i am thinking of trying it this weekend because i don't want to drive all the way to rufus.

anyone set up there before? i havn't been for years now but, remember a grassy area in the middle for pumping. launch at the very east end good?

thanks
kt

magicmaker · Since 29 Oct 2006 895 Posts da Hood Opinionated

might just have to try and go 3 for 3 this weekend if we dont get rained on too much. wind is starting to go in Hood River, might have to get off work early today if it comes up this afternoon.

I say tomorrow we go to the discovery center and walk the path out to SS, or somethign like that...

forrest · Fri Mar 27, 09 9:37 am

Sella · Fri Mar 27, 09 9:52 am

KT,

Rowena has small pebbles and some rocks on the shore that are slippery for getting in and out but you'll be wearing booties so it will work. Good parking...small grassy area to pump and then walk down to launch etc. When I've kited there it does seem to be gustier than other parts of the Gorge so careful on launching / landing.

The CGKA has targeted Rowena for improvement so I'm looking foward to this summer because the area definitely has potential.

tinyE · Since 21 Jan 2006 2004 Posts not really an XTreme Poster

what's the CR water temp these days?

Reaper356 · Since 10 Dec 2006 781 Posts Salem / LC Oregon Opinionated

Is the water warm yet Question

magicmaker · Since 29 Oct 2006 895 Posts da Hood Opinionated

who knows about the water temp,
probably like 40.

i dont spend that much time in it,
and when i do it doesn't feel cold.
i'm in a 6,5,4 wetsuit
w/ 5mm boots and 3mm gloves.

you can actually go out without gloves
for about an hour or 2.
but just because you can
doesn't mean it is comfortable.

kt · Since 16 Mar 2005 764 Posts Portland, Or Opinionated

hey sella,

thanks. i will try it if it doesn't look too gusty.

magic:
probably worth the extra 15 more minutes to the discovery center? and then another 15 minute walk? will the river level be low enough to have a path?

pauls · Since 20 Jun 2005 564 Posts Northern Portugal Addicted

kyle.vh · Since 11 Jul 2007 713 Posts city of angels Addicted

sunday is looking sunny and windy.
since lyle is now a SS, we need new term for the SS Wink

...I tried to kite at Hood today, but visibility was too low.

kyle.vh · Since 11 Jul 2007 713 Posts city of angels Addicted

also on Sat chinook state park could go (http://nwkite.com/forums/t-11221-0.html). the flat water there is epic. it is muddy though, at low tide.

forrest · Fri Mar 27, 09 5:54 pm

Um, it's a bit of a hike, but it's worth it. Maybe 1/4 mile? You can always run a shuttle. There is also the option of froggering across the highway.

Bonetti · Since 29 Apr 2007 411 Posts So. Cal./Oregon Obsessed

Frogger it!!!

daveS · Since 23 Jul 2007 104 Posts Stoked

I kited Rowena about 10 times last year. I think it's well worth while. Wind quality is very directionally dependant. I found the best days were when the Rowena and Dougs meters are reading West...it gets gustier with Northwest readings. It can be fairly gusty or just really windy(like last weekend) It's challenging without booties because of slippery rocks. I think it's way more fun than Lyle for swell riding. Just head towards Doug's beach. Tons of room on the water for kiters and windsurfers. If we could get some river rock to fill in an area to enter and leave the water that might be the ticket. Right now it's not at all beginner friendly and probably never will be.
D