How long till the Columbia is beginner friendly again?

beej · Since 16 Jul 2010 180 Posts Stoked

I'm dying to get out on the water, and am wondering what everyone is seeing out there. I need to kite soon!

Do you expect any sites to be good sooner than the others?

ldhr · Since 21 Jul 2009 1489 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

where are you in your progression?
are you kiting or still body-dragging?
can you stay upwind?

jaksavage · Since 02 Dec 2009 216 Posts hood river Stoked

Just got back and had 4 days of great wind. Sooooo much fun.

OG · Since 07 Jun 2011 597 Posts Addicted

beej · Since 16 Jul 2010 180 Posts Stoked

I'm getting up on the board, having some short rides, but not going upwind yet.

I will go to Jones/Sauvies or HR makes not difference to me, as long as I won't end up dead.

ldhr · Since 21 Jul 2009 1489 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

Best to wait for the sandbar to be exposed and user friendly.
you can use the sandbar to walk back upwind. no other beaches in the gorge are beginner friendly if you cannot stay upwind.

beej · Since 16 Jul 2010 180 Posts Stoked

LDHR,

Do you think this is the case for further out (Jones, Sauvies?)

Blazeheliski · Since 30 Mar 2011 659 Posts Mosier Addicted

Jones beach will give you at least a quarter mile of sandy beach to walk back upwind if you are still working on staying upwind. Just stay close to shore and you should be fine. The only issue are the fisherman - they still line the beach. Does anyone know when fishing season ends and we don't have to avoid all those lines????

Youkai · Since 08 Feb 2010 553 Posts Beaverton Addicted

Both Jones and Sauvie are full of fishermen at the moment. Last time I was at Jones we had a small patch of clear beach but if you end up very far downwind at all you will be in fishermen's lines. I haven't been to Sauvie in a few weeks but I'm assuming that is still the case there too.

beej · Since 16 Jul 2010 180 Posts Stoked

So does Jones have a wicked current to deal with? Does anyone know when the fishermen will move along?

Youkai · Since 08 Feb 2010 553 Posts Beaverton Addicted

There is definitely a current to deal with. I guess it's not terrible and there aren't any vortexes like there are at the mouth of the hood river. The good news is the current pushes you upwind so you could always body drag for a little bit and gain ground; beats walking! If you drop your board and end up a ways from it you will travel quite far before you get back to it though. It shouldn't be a huge deal if you can work your way downwind (intentionally).

Definitely make sure you have a buddy but it could be doable. If you can keep even and launch at the right spot the fishermen shouldn't be an issue. Also the shipping lane runs very close to where you will be launching from so you have to keep a close eye out for ships.

kochease · Since 03 Jul 2008 760 Posts In Ft. Stevens, OR Opinionated

Jones had 6 nice kiteable days last week!! like youkia saud, watch out for ships and be repectful of the fishermans space. They get nervous easily.

kiteboardinglife · Since 20 Jul 2009 46 Posts portland or.

I think theres more ponds up there

FlyDunes · Since 09 Oct 2007 1034 Posts Aloha XTreme Poster

I was stuck in town on Saturday and went to SI. The fishermen disappeared early PM and several of us got nice sessions all afternoon (1st decent/consistent wind this year).

Still not much beach, tho.

forrest · Tue Jun 28, 11 12:10 pm

Just FYI, we should start seeing the Sandbar reappear just after fourth of July. I've spoken with the USACE several times about this, and they said the plan is to get the water back to normal as quickly as possible after the 4th.

beej · Since 16 Jul 2010 180 Posts Stoked

Thanks for the update Forrest!

Lurk · Since 04 Apr 2009 355 Posts Obsessed

The answer to your original question is: Never. Thats why people learn in Hatteras.