Share the Stoke

HOOD RIVER, Ore. – Sitting at the heart of the Columbia River Gorge is the town of Hood River, otherwise known as the “windsurfing capital of the world.”

“All of the people here are here for one reason,” said Sailworks owner Bruce Peterson. “It’s not just the quantity of the wind because it blows hard here, but it’s the quality of the wind.”

Hood River started as a quiet agricultural area with pear and apple orchards. The town transitioned into a mecca for wind and water lovers when windsports came onto the scene.

The high walls of the Cascades create a natural wind tunnel that blows through the Gorge with gusts reaching up to 60 mph, making it a perfect place for windsports. The consistent high winds drive windsport enthusiasts from all over the world to the small Oregon town to enjoy the Gorge’s swells.

“I’ve traveled to tons of places, and it has really given me a true appreciation for what we have here and how unique our conditions are,” said professional kiteboarder Colleen Carroll.

The increase of windsport tourism in the town also brought the creation of Columbia Gorge Wind and Water Association (CGW2). The non-profit organization was created in 1987 with the mission of providing and protecting safe launch sites along the Columbia River and advocating for affordable access to equipment for all.

“We want to be a voice for the users out there so they have an advocate when it comes to getting access, keeping access or improving access,” said professional windsurfer Sean Aiken.

CGW2, originally called the Columbia Gorge Wind Association, changed its name a few years ago to be inclusive of all windsports. While the name has changed, its mission hasn’t. The association still aims to bring together the sub communities of windsports.

“For me, it became much more than an individual sport. It became this idea of community. It’s expansive like the river and wind is,” said Amanda Schollard, CGW2 board member.

Mike Stroud became the CGW2 president four years ago after being a board member for eight years. He leads Board of Director meetings, helps set the events agenda and represents the organization with partners and media. Stroud contributed towards the organization’s partnerships with State Parks, municipalities and governing agencies.

“I wanted to give back somehow and try to perpetuate the stoke and excitement that everyone experiences here,” Stroud said.

CGW2 runs a multitude of community events throughout the year. The most notable being its annual Pray for Wind party. The event includes food, drinks, live music, raffles and auctions with all proceeds going towards the association’s funding.

Along with the Pray for Wind party, the organization hosts gear swap meets where windsport users can trade and sell their gear. CGW2 also introduces kids to windsports through its “groms” programs.

“It can be very intimidating out on the water and groups like the CGW2 come together to make it super welcoming,” said Stoke on the Water owner Joel Yang.

CGW2 is volunteer-based, funded through donations and membership subscriptions. The organization invites windsport lovers of all ages and experience levels to join as members.

Members come from all around the world, representing the different subcommunities of windsports and providing unique perspectives and experiences. They range from business owners to windsport instructors to wind sport enthusiasts, working together under CGW2’s mission.

“It’s good to share views amongst a core group of well established individuals who have been doing these sports over the years,” said Big Winds co-owner T.J. Gulizia.

Windsurfing was the first to emerge in the world of windsports, gaining popularity in the ‘70s and ‘80s. Contrary to what some might think, windsports can be enjoyed by all ages with veterans, like Peterson, still sailing for over 40 years.

“You feel connected to these people, and that’s the bread and butter that keeps everything going,” Carroll said.

According to Business Jet Traveler, the peak time for windsports in Hood River is the summer, usually starting on Memorial Day Weekend and ending on Labor Day. Up to 2,000 windsurfers surf the Gorge every day during peak season.

Hood River only saw visitors during the peak season back in the ‘80s and ‘90s. Like Aiken, many people lived in their vans and buses in the summer months and cleared out for the off season. As time went on and the Gorge diversified, people stayed during the winter.

When the popularity of windsports increased and the amount of people in the water grew, safety concerns also became more apparent. Windsurfing, kiteboarding, wingfoiling and other windsports all require different ways of sailing the water, making the swells more hazardous.

“There is not a good [safety] standard. I do rescues all the time,” Yang said. “It’s really unfortunate that I can guess what will happen to who just based on behavior.”

The river has no lifeguards or search and rescue teams. CGW2 board members, including Carroll and Schollard, are working on a project to have accessible safety protocols on the organization’s website to curb safety issues.

An aspect of CGW2’s community is its ownership of Swell City, the organization’s privately-owned property. Members come together to clean up the beach and raise funds.

“It’s just a great group of mostly legacy windsurfers, windfoilers and wingfoilers who have been sailing the Gorge for decades,” Stroud said. “Everyone knows each other and it’s just a great vibe.”

Aiken sold the highly coveted launching site Swell City to the board in 2014. The organization consistently sells annual subscriptions to over 65 members. CGW2 purchased the property for just under $33,000 with Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway settlement funds.

“I’m grateful for the work that those folks put in, keeping our access open to a lot of these spots up and down the Gorge and keeping them clean too,” said Gulizia.

Windsports have evolved from windsurfing to the newest sport hydrofoiling and the Columbia River has seen them all. CGW2 welcomes the different windsports and everyone who comes to the Gorge to share the stoke.

Check out the full published story here.