Go east to avoid the crowds!!

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

This time of year can be so crazy crowded in Hood River, but if you drive just a bit farther the population decreases significantly.
Rowena is a good launch and then just a short downwinder to Dougs has some of the best swell in the gorge.

On Monday it was 8 mtr ripping it up with about 15 windsurfers right in the middle of Dougs.

On Tuesday it was perfect 10 mtr and I was alone in the middle of Dougs until a big windsurfing sail popped up. The wind was the steadiest I've kited in a long time.

If you find the crowds to crazy in Le Hood then drive to the east my friends!! Mosier is often a really good place to kite.

You can launch at Rowena and they have nice bathrooms with a real toilets, ahhh the joys!!

You can also go to the spot unspoken, but the tickets are big and plentiful for those who park outside the arrows.

Another spot that is often overlooked is Rufus. Lot's of parking and a great place to launch.

Take the time to explore the East side and you will find warmer weather, less crowded beaches and really good swell.

Enjoy,
R

Justsmile · Since 20 Jul 2009 1530 Posts Not Portland XTreme Poster

I want to go east but I need someone to hold my hand and show me the ropes so I dont F... anyone elses day up intentionally. What would be the easiest set up and launch in order of the spots as I would love to check them out. Rufus and all the others excite me; just a little scared of not knowing the ins and outs. we have a spots link on the page but they are very generic and not specific enough for my kind. thanks for any time and info you can send my way, Blake

Weaz · Since 23 May 2012 360 Posts Beaverton Obsessed

I'm still learning, but usually I head NW to Jones beach (I live in Beaverton). So far max kites i've seen when I've been out there is 8 and minimum 3. So far it's been 12m territory though, but from what I've heard usually 9-10m most of the time.

Sella · Wed May 30, 12 11:50 am

Blazeheliski · Since 30 Mar 2011 659 Posts Mosier Addicted

I am curious. Are kiters allowed to launch at Dougs - or is it windsurf only? My first season of kiting I went to Dougs late October. The wind was blowing and it was a sunny 60 degree day. I was the only person out there. I used a tow cable hooked to a stump to self launch and land. It was a great session with steady wind. I looked up Dougs on the net when I got home, and got the impression Dougs is windsurf only. I was kiting out at Rowena a few weeks back and saw people kiting at Dougs. So - Dougs - windsurf only or not?

C.Lee · Since 02 Apr 2012 44 Posts Southern Idaho/The Gorge

Anybody headed out?

Justsmile · Since 20 Jul 2009 1530 Posts Not Portland XTreme Poster

I can self launch and land if needed. I have been to jones- great place

I kite at lyle- oh no the name was said- dont worry

Dougs=- you need to self launch and land???

Rowena- you need to self launch and land??

Mosier- you ned to self launch and land???

Someone please take the time to post pics, diagrams etc so we dont have to have topics like this all the time. back in the day we showed people play spots for kayaking and it was not a big deal. Who has time or care to show some of different spots so we can see other killer beautiful places. thanks for anyones time.

Weaz · Since 23 May 2012 360 Posts Beaverton Obsessed

should add that to the "SPOTS" link at the top.

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

Blazeheliski · Since 30 Mar 2011 659 Posts Mosier Addicted

jblum · Since 13 Jul 2008 306 Posts The Gorge Obsessed

Out east is bad.

The wind is bad. Its really gusty. The access sucks. The beaches are non existant. The launches are dangerous. There is no one to rescue you if you get in trouble. The locals are jerks. You will get your car towed or ticketed most places. The current will wash you and your board away. You'll probably get run over by a train trying to get to the place. If the train misses you, the barbed wire, scorpions, rattle snakes, bees and poison oak will probably get you. It is desolate and uninviting. Stay away.

Hood River is the best. That's why everyone kites there.

Sella · Wed May 30, 12 2:34 pm

@ Jonathan.....hahahaha.....so true! The Dirty Dalles; 15 minutes to Hood or Rufus, 5 minutes to Raw Weiner or 2 minutes to Secret. It's guaranteed to blow in your backyard 365 days a year just like the Sex Shop Truck Stop. Shocked

lloyd · Since 16 Aug 2007 108 Posts Hood River Stoked

Rowena is an easy place to launch and land. Plenty of room. Windsurfing stays to the upwind side, kiting to the downwind. It's a round pebble type "beach" area with some "field grass" areas and flat shelf type rocks. You can self launch and land if need be. The rock shelf in the shallow areas of the water is really slippery. Going downwind to Doug's or Doug's west is a great mini down winder. This time of year, the current will bring you back home. Wind is stronger the further you go out, choppy up by Rowena, more swell the further downwind you go. Grass areas for kids and the parking lot is out of the wind for families. Day fee.

Mosier. I'd keep for windsurfers. No real beach to speak of. Any beach is really dependent on water level. Day fee.

Rufus. Round river rock everywhere. Launch and rig is downwind of the big rock pile. Self launching can be done with some ingenuity, but launching and landing is best when done by a partner. Downwind lagoon is good for throwing flat water tricks, on starboard tack. Wind is stronger the further you go out, current is fast and swell is large and rolling. Wind shadow on the far side, don't get too close. You can go upwind to the Wall and find the correct swell for you. Further upwind gets you to some "islands" and you can kite between them and the highway for some flat water. When the wind starts to die, it dies quick. Typically best wind is in the afternoon, after 2pm. There is no real seclusion from the wind which makes it difficult for families. The only place that's comfortable for family to be is in the "lagoon" on the downwind side. It's somewhat blocked from the wind. No real resources close by. A small gas station convenience store at the freeway exit. No running water, but do have outhouse type crappers.

Doug's. You can hike out to the rock point and launch by the channel marker. That will get you out of the traffic of the beach. You'll be setting up on rocks, some of them sharp. There is a really cool small beach on the rock point that is great for family, but isn't big enough for launching and landing. I would tend to launch at Rowena and kite down, then ride the current back home to Rowena. When the wind starts to get flukey, start heading back to Rowena.

Generally speaking, if it's the afternoon, head East to find your best wind. This time of year, you want to be kiting where there's sun. Sometimes the 15 min. drive from Hood River to Rowena will get you in the sun and hence, the wind. Lots of 9-5 workers will immediately head to Rowena, the wind blows later in to the evening. Sometimes til dark.

Hope that helps describe things better. Don't let anyone tell you not to kite somewhere. All of the launches in the Gorge are tricky and if you have experience and comfort at the event site, there's no reason why you can't kite elsewhere. We all learn from each other and have a duty to spread the stoke. Truth is, we all benefitted from someone more experienced than us teaching us the ropes. Each area has it's unique things, just pay attention, watch other people launch, see what they're doing and ask questions.

mitchl3000 · Since 19 Jul 2010 67 Posts

Stevenson and hood river is the only spot in the gorge worth kiting. east of there you are bound to run into trouble. no spots are legal to kite at. wind can shut down out of nowhere. the current rips. and theres no one there to help out.

holly · Since 09 Jul 2006 440 Posts Hood River Obsessed

bulae99 is high...Out east sucks.. the wind is shitty, the locals will slit your throat, there are sharks, and the launches will destroy your kite.. not to mention its super ghetto and white trash!! Don't go!

Don't kite at Doug's, that is strictly for windsurfers, they will cuss, finger, and cut you.

Just kite at the sandbar. Easy launch, nice people, good wind, nice swell, no sharks, and A-train will drink beer with you after your session!

pauls · Since 20 Jun 2005 564 Posts Northern Portugal Addicted

Isn't Dougs is strictly for windsurfers out of date? Kooky kiters and windsurfers are a pain whether your kiting or windsurfing. Windsurfers who launch at Dougs are typically far more skilled than at the Event site and don't need to be freaked out by competent kiters. Dougs has much nicer conditions than Rowena - better swell, less gusty. SS is great but with more people going there access - 84 and RR is bound to come up sooner or later. Most of us are paying for Washington Discover passes so is it unreasonable to ask Washington Parks to take a look at a way for kites to launch and land? Dougs has way more room than Stevenson and the kiters do a great job of getting each other on and off the water there.
CGKA?

Inept_Fun · Since 14 Apr 2005 1417 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

It is actually pretty trashy out that way tho...