Ive only kited the salty waters of the Texas coast so far but i have a feeling by all the videos ive watched that the Hood river has to be the best spot in the world for fresh water kiteboarding.

Well, I've only kited one time in the gorge, so this is based on that. But I didn't enjoy it.

Yes, it was windy. Yes, I did choose a kite one size too small (8m Syn instead of a 10m). But it was so gusty. Made the worst desert wind look like a sea breeze. After a couple of runs I was done. Call me a wimp, that's ok. I figured I could drive south for half a day and kite at Sherman Island; much smoother wind and usually less crowded.

I probably caught the gorge on a bad day... I sure hope so, hate to think that THAT is what people enjoy kiting in.

Depends on the type of fresh water kite boarding you want to do. If you like winds as in NABX level nukin winds, then that is the place. Problem is the gorge is getting crowded.

Sandbar (kite beach) has always been my favorite place, kiteboarding in "the ring" is sweet. knee deep water and butter smooth.

Steveston comes in second

Rufus

Roosevelt

winds are normally 20 - 35 knots ... its like heaven.

If you've never been there and you won't be meeting up with anyone then goto the event site (sandbar) just off downtown and the highway.

Please follow all directions of the area. no rigging on the grass. You need to rig and launch fom the sandbar.

There's the event site:
http://www.nwkite.com/guides/hood_river_sandbar/

And the marina across the bridge:
http://www.nwkite.com/forums/t-17806.html&sid=736f251682...