Kiting at Celilo?

lubomm · Since 15 Aug 2007 248 Posts Hood Stoked

Windsurfed first time at Celilo. I was wondering if people kite there. Launch is no worse than stevenson or rowena.

WindSki · Since 14 Dec 2012 411 Posts Portland Obsessed

Yes, great location
note that people use the tree close to the water when needed

HRnico · Since 22 Mar 2008 262 Posts Da Hood Obsessed

Great launch for downwinder to Rufus

bigjohn · Since 13 Mar 2012 664 Posts Addicted

I have self launched a number of ways at Celilo. So far haven't found the "perfect" solution.

The issue is that the wind is extremely up and down next to shore. Thus be prepared for your kite to fall over when utilizing a fixed point self launch.

These are my lessons learned:

Do NOT launch on the East side. Large rocks/boulders exist that are extremely sharp and very capable of cutting your lines during a self launch (I have a scar on my hand to prove it).

Depending upon the height of the river there are a few options that have worked for me.

Fixed point launch:

As stated before, whenever performing a fixed point launch at celilo, expect your kite to fall back into the wind window. I would say that I have about a 50% success rate... Thus 50% of the time my kite falls over down wind, I need to pull the outside line to depower the kite, walk to my kite, and try again. Thus it is imperative that you make sure there are no obstacles (large rocks, trees etc.) in range of your kite if it falls over completely into the wind window.

1) There is a large log on the East side you can tie to (last year there was a hornets nest in it... have not seen any hornets this year).
2) I have utilized a home made launch box filled with rocks. This is nice because you can place exactly where you want.

You may be tempted to tie off to a large plant half way out the point on the West side. Do not as there is a hornets nest this year at that location.

Drift Launch:
A drift launch is the preferred method a Celilo. Stay on the west side. You can either walk out in the shallow water, or walk out to the edge of the point on the west side.

Once you get out at Celilo, you are going to enjoy the ride. Not the largest swell, but some of the sharpest waves. There is a section directly out from the middle of the park that creates great jumping lips.

Be sure to go up and down the river as you will find the swell can be very different within just a few hundred yards East to West.