history of windsurfing

Although windsurfing pioneers like Rhonda Smith and Doug Campbell discovered the Gorge’s attributes in the summer of 1979, the Gorge’s rise to fame came on the heels of the popularity of many destinations like Maui and European hot spots. On those warm beaches in the early 1980s, tales of the wild winds of the Gorge were told as legend.

And who can resist the legend? He is not a professional windsurfer, for sure. And so they came to see for themselves until, in the mid-1980s, the Gorge gained international renown. The inaugural Columbia Gorge Pro-Am windsurfing board race in 1984, while intended to be a regional event, was all it took to open the international floodgates.
World-class windsurfing had come to the Columbia River Gorge to stay.

“Just looking at everything, the gorge, the river, the waves, it seemed incredible. But what really made the difference was the wind. It’s something you have to feel to believe.”

-Brian Carlstrom, one of the first Gorge windsurfers

Why a legend?

The unique geography is responsible for the constant nuclear winds that pick up just as they strike the flag in many other destinations. The Columbia River Gorge, a huge canyon that cuts through a mountain range, forms a natural wind tunnel in the warmer months. Hot air, rising from the desert of eastern Oregon and Washington, sucks cold air from the Pacific Ocean through the gorge.

The effect reaches its zenith at Hood River, the narrowest point in the Gorge, where the energy of the wind is channeled between high cliffs. Here, the wind blows over the water at speeds of up to 40 miles per hour and the waves reach unearthly heights as the west wind pushes against the current of the Columbia River. The result? Perfect conditions for world class windsurfing and kitesurfing. Experts catapult white-covered waves into high, swirling jumps. Therefore, Hood River windsurfing is where the most action is.

And it’s not just for professionals because you can find a wide range of sailing conditions depending on where you ride within the natural venturi.

Another advantage is that the gorge is in the midst of rugged natural beauty. In addition to windsurfing, you can enjoy the spectacular scenery by hiking, biking, or strolling through the beautiful Mt. Hood National Forest.

There is also an international flavor with sailors from all over the world making Hood River windsurfing their passion every summer.

Finally, many pioneering windsurfers such as Brian Carlstrom, Jeff Hughes, Les Crichton and Rhonda Smith have stayed on and opened state-of-the-art gear and instruction shops.

Area Hot Spots

The Columbia Gorge Windsurfing Association identifies more than 55 “boat sites” in the area. Doug’s Sports provides a list of the most popular venues.

Experts will find good sailing from Swell City to Hatchery. Windsurfers of all skill levels should head to the stretch between Rowena and Doug’s Beach State Park, named for Gorge windsurfing legend Doug Campbell, who also owns Doug’s Sports in Hood River. First timers should head to Bingen and the Hood River Marina, the most popular spot on the river.