The 25-40 mile per hour winds that blow down the Columbia River Gorge make it the perfect place to go for world-class windsurfing. Hood River, Oregon, sixty miles east of Portland on Interstate 84, is considered to be the windsurfing and kiteboarding capital of the world. Even if you aren’t a windsurfer, the beautiful scenery alone is a good reason to visit this part of Oregon. Closer to Portland in the Columbia River Gorge, Rooster Rock State Park is a popular destination for windsurfers in winter as well as summer. Rooster Rock also has one of the largest swimming beaches near Portland as well as a designated nude beach.
For more information on this windsurfing and kiteboarding:
Columbia Gorge Windsurfing Association
email: cgwa@gorge.net
541.386.9225
Big Winds Hood River
www.bigwinds.com
888.509.4210
541.386.6086
Doug’s Sports
www.hoodriverwindsurfing.com
541.386.5787
800.211.8207
Rooster Rock State Park
www.oregonstateparks.org
800.551.6949
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