If you want to learn to kite, you want to learn from the best, and around here, that’s Cascade Kiteboarding. Why? On-the-water lessons take place at the west end of Well’s Island, away from the chaos of the sandbar. Your lesson will be one-on-one, with radio helmet instruction, this year’s gear from Da Kine and Liquid Force, and dedicated jetski assistance. And let me point out that Cascade Kiteboarding is the ONLY school with those radio helmets, so it’s the one school where you won’t have an instructor yelling at you while you’re learning. One of the lucky people on the email version of this forecast will win a two hour kiteboarding lesson later this week.
Today looks like a very warm day in the Gorge with temperatures breaking the 90 degree barrier. With Portland also getting near 90, we won’t see much wind today. At best, we’ll see east wind in the 13-15 range at Stevenson and Rooster Rock. And that, my friends, is what happens when there are two events hoping for west wind.
Tomorrow brings another light start, but sometime during the day marine air will start to push in at the coast. So, the wind will go to west 13-15 in the afternoon, starting at Stevenson mid-afternoon and then moving to Hood River in the early evening.
The Clymb: free membership.
Access to super cheap gear including Trew, Zeal, Sierra Designs, and many more.
Monday looks a bit windier as a weather system approaches the coast. We should see 17-20 Monday morning, picking up to 21-24 in the afternoon. More than likely we’ll see very gusty wind near Hood River with stronger, steadier wind at Stevenson.
There are all sorts of events going on this weekend. This morning is the Paddle for the Park at the Hood River Waterfront Park. The money raised goes toward continued improvements to the park. You can register from 8am to 10pm, and the event is from 10-noon.
We have the Bridge of the Gods Kitefest going on all weekend at Stevenson. And coming up on Sunday, it’s the kiteboarder blowout. Also this weekend there’s the Gorge Paddle Challenge, with such watermen rock stars as Robby Naish and Dave Kalama (damn is he cute), among many othesr, competing for big prizes.
And finally, if you like rafting or kayaking, the wood is finally out of Husum falls and the river is at 2.5 feet. I’m headed over for some rafting with the Native Eyewear folks at Wet Planet this afternoon.
In continuing PSAs, it’s time for the CGWA yearly windsurfer awards. You can send in your nominations here. I’m suggesting everyone nominate Dave Brown for the Dale Cook award. Dave’s the one out there on the 1990-something Hot Sails throwing huge port jumps. Other awards: Most stoked, most selfless, best grom and windsurfer of the year.
Also, if you’re around September 5th, you can help CGWA get some cash by volunteering as a semi-lifeguard for the Roy Webster Cross-Channel Swim. CGWA gets $50 for each of you who signs up to volunteer.
Have an awesome day today!
Temira
p.s. If you find this report useful, entertaining, or just want to recognize all the hard work that goes into it, please take the time to make a donation by clicking on the link below. For a suggested donation of $10, I’ll add you to the email version of this list ‘til August 2012, putting you in the running for cool prizes donated by the weekly sponsors. If you don’t PayPal, you can send a donation to PO Box 841 in Hood River, 97031.
