Tag: ski

Good morning!

This week’s report is brought to you by Gath Helmets. Preventable deaths suck, so wear a helmet and spare your friends a lot of misery. Don’t tell me you hit your head more when you’re wearing a helmet, because that’s the dumbest statement I’ve ever heard. Don’t tell me helmets look dorky. Check out some of the cool styles from Gath here. Gath helmets are thin, light and close-fitting. You’ll barely notice they’re on, until you smack your head (or someone runs into your head) and you realize you’re still alive. Get a Gath. I’d be dead a couple of times over without mine. One of the email subscribers is going to win a free Gath helmet this week. That’s like getting an extra life. (and if you’re not on the list, subscribe by clicking the donate button below for a suggested $10 donation.)

Now, for the forecast. First off, congratulations to Lars Berstrom, who dominated the King of the Hook Contest Yesterday, winning three categories. Congratulations also to Macrae and Fiona Wylde for taking the tandem class and Jacquie Barone for winning the women’s event! I’m starting to think that’s going to be my next step in windsurfing… back to the 1980’s and beyond. Longboard freestyle is cool!

It’s looking like a very hot and not very windy day today, as high pressure across the Cascades has knocked gradients down quite a bit this morning. We might see east winds in the 10-15 range near Stevenson this morning, but even that breeze will back off this afternoon as temperatures climb near 100 in Portland, Hood River, and The Dalles.

Tomorrow looks like today, with light wind and highs near 100. It looks like the west winds will return late on Tuesday or Wednesday morning. The strength of those winds is in question, as the marine push will come from an upper level low off the coast, and that can minimize gradient strength. So, we’re going to have to wait and see. Surprises are fun, right?

If you’re looking for ways to cool off today, think about hiking to a waterfall, doing some standup paddling, going whitewater rafting (with Wet Planet, because they run the Class IV section above BZ, and nobody else does) or heading to one of the great swimming holes in the Gorge (Punchbowl, Mosier, Dog Creek, Tucker Bridge…)

If you’re around Hood River this afternoon with a dirty car, head on down to the British Pub from 1pm to 5pm. Clair #2 from 2nd Wind is putting on a bikini car wash from 1 to 5 pm to raise money to pay for her 5 meter gray Slingshot Fuel that was stolen. If you have the kite, you can drop it at the car wash or 2nd Wind, no questions asked. Otherwise, just come down and get your car washed!

Boaters, the White Salmon’s just under 2 feet and the Klickitat’s at 850cfs.

Have a great 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 button at the bottom of the page. For a suggested donation of $10, I’ll add you to the email version of this list ‘til May 2011, putting you in the running for cool prizes donated by the weekly sponsors.

Good morning!

This week’s report is brought to you by Gath Helmets. I’m going to be frank. I’m sick of people dying while windsurfing and kiting. Most of those deaths happen because people get knocked on the head, pass out, and drown. Don’t be a statistic. Get a helmet. Check out some of the cool styles from Gath here.Gath helmets are thin, light and close-fitting. You’ll barely notice they’re on, until you smack your head (or someone runs into your head) and you realize you’re still alive. I’ve been wearing my Gath for years, and I’m still around. I probably shouldn’t be, the way I sail. Buy one. One of the people on the email list is going to win their choice of a free Gath helmet this week. That’s a sweet prize, I think. (and if you’re not on the list, subscribe by clicking the donate button below for a suggested $10 donation.)

First, I want to say thanks to Chris (no, I don’t know his last name) for giving me the final tally for the windy streak. He says we had 19 days in a row of sailable west wind, with at least 5 days of sailable easterlies before that, before this round of easterlies kicked in. We’re starting a new streak today, with east winds from Home Valley down to Rooster Rock.

With an upper level low over the ocean due west of Oregon, gradients are a little stronger this morning. We’ll see 18-22 today near Stevenson, and possibly down at Rooster as well. As always, get the easterlies early before they get gusty in the afternoon. If you’re going to be kiting or windsurfing in near Cascade Locks today, be prepared for lots of sailboat traffic for the alternate course for the Double Damned race.

Tomorrow looks less windy, with 15-18 mph easterlies, dying early in the afternoon. The wind looks very light Monday, as temperatures climb near 100 degrees, but westerlies and cooler weather should return on Tuesday.

Coming up this afternoon, it’s the King of the Hook longboard freestyle contest at the Hook in Hood River. Come check out some longboard moves, along with some crazy costumes. If you don’t have a longboard, that’s okay, because Big Winds is providing free demo boards for competitors. There are tons of prizes, including gift certificates to Mike’s Ice Cream. Registration is free, and starts at 5pm. If you don’t windsurf, come down and check it out, because it’s quite a show.

Don’t forget that there’s a welcome home party for Mike Jacoby tonight at his house in Underwood from 6-7pm.

And finally, tonight at dusk, there’s the free, outdoor movie in Jackson Park. This week it’s ‘Return of the Jedi’. That’s a movie that will appeal to everyone, so I expect to see all of you there this evening!

And finally, on Sunday, there’s a bikini car wash at the British Pub at 1pm to pay for Claire’s stolen 5 meter gray Slingshot Fuel. If you stole the kite, you can drop it off at 2nd Wind, no questions asked. The rest of you, get your car washed on Sunday!

Boaters, the White Salmon’s right around 2 feet and the Klickitat’s at 850cfs.

Have a great 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 button at the bottom of the page. For a suggested donation of $10, I’ll add you to the email version of this list ‘til May 2011, putting you in the running for cool prizes donated by the weekly sponsors.