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Launch Sites

watersports_launch_sites_map.jpg

ROOSTER ROCK, OR K PS W ■ ◆
East winds can be very strong with swift
current, especially in fall and winter. Veer too
far from the launch site and you may find
yourself at a popular nude beach.
» LOCATION: I-84, exit 25
» FEE: $5/day – $30 season pass –
oregonstateparks.org
» AMENITIES: Picnic tables, boat ramp, sandy
beach, flush toilets

BOBS BEACH, STEVENSON, WA PS W ■
Popular for east and west winds. Short walk
to town.
» LOCATION: Waterfront west end
» FEE: Free
» AMENITIES: Changing rooms, grassy rigging,
flush toilets

CASCADE BOAT RAMP, STEVENSON, WA K PS W ■
Launch can be tricky with large waves often
breaking into launch area.
» LOCATION: Waterfront east end
» FEE: Free
» AMENITIES: Boat launch, flush toilets,
changing room, picnic tables, grassy rigging
EAST POINT KITE BEACH, STEVENSON, WA K PS ◆
Challenging launch, sidewalk and small
grassy area for rigging.
» LOCATION: Waterfront east end, behind
industrial building
» FEE: Free
» AMENITIES: Picnic table, flush toilets,
changing room

BLACKBERRY BEACH / GOVT COVE,
CASCADE LOCKS, OR PS W ■
Wind and water conditions similar to
Stevenson. Newly developed site. Look for
signs near industrial area east of town.
» LOCATION: I-84, exit 44
» FEE: Day-use fee – App on site $5 –
portofcascadelocks.org
» AMENITIES: None

HOME VALLEY, WA K PS W ● ■
Good starting point for downwinders to
Stevenson. Few crowds, good for families.
Good on east and west winds.
» LOCATION: SR 14, near mile marker 45
» FEE: Free
» AMENITIES: Porta-potty, playground,
swimming beach, ball fields, family friendly

VIENTO, OR K PS W ■ ◆
One of the most scenic sites in the Gorge.
Good spot to practice water starts. Beware of
underwater logs close to shore.
/ Located at the campground /
» LOCATION: I-84, exit 56
» FEE: $5/day – $30 season pass –
oregonstateparks.org
» AMENITIES: Pit toilet, picnic tables, camping
nearby

SWELL CITY, WA *PS W ◆
*Paddle Sports at East Cove only
Very large swells, for experienced sailors only.
Not family or dog friendly, close to highway.
Owned by CGWA.
» LOCATION: SR 14, near milepost 56
» FEE: CGW2 Members Only Annual and
Day-Use Guests Pass – cgw2.org
» AMENITIES: Porta-potties, sail drying
rack available, picnic tables

CHEAP BEACH, WA W ◆
Good swells, less crowds than the hatchery.
Limited parking, difficult launch. Not family or
dog friendly, close to highway.
» LOCATION: SR 14, near milepost 56
» FEE: Free
» AMENITIES: None

SPRING CREEK FISH HATCHERY, WA K PS W ◆
Hot spot for pros and advanced windsurfers.
Swell can get very big. Difficult launch. Great
spectator spot for watching freestyle experts.
» LOCATION: SR 14, near milepost 56
» FEE: $11.50/day – $35 season pass –
discoverpass.gov.wa
» AMENITIES: Pit toilets, picnic tables, grassy
rigging area

THE HOOK, OR PS W ● ■
The best place in the Gorge for beginners.
» LOCATION: I-84, exit 63, western most point
on the waterfront in Hood River.
» FEE: Free
» AMENITIES: Porta-potties, changing rooms,
access ramp for intermediate sailors,
picnic tables

JENSEN BEACH, OR W ■
Rustic launch conditions along Hood River
Waterfront.
» LOCATION: I-84, exit 63
» FEE: $2.50/hour – kiosk on site –
portofhoodriver.com
» AMENITIES: Use Waterfront Park amenities

EVENT SITE, OR K PS W ■
Very user friendly, grassy rigging, rocky
launch, booties recommended.
» LOCATION: I-84, exit 63
» FEE: $15/day for vehicles up to 20 ft – over
20 ft, $25/day – $200 season pass for vehicles
up to 20 ft – $350 season pass for vehicles
over 20 ft – portofhoodriver.com
» AMENITIES: Flush toilets, grassy rigging

WINDY AND STRONG CURRENT
CONDITIONS CAN CREATE
VERY BIG WAVES AND
EXTREME CONDITIONS
◆ = ADVANCED FOR PADDLE SPORTS.
■ = INTERMEDIATE
● = BEGINNER
SKILL LEVEL KEY
W= WINDSURFERS/WING FOILERS
K = KITEBOARDING
PS = PADDLE SPORTS
WATER SPORTS KEY

FROG BEACH, OR PS W ●
Ideal for beginning paddlers and windsurfers.
» LOCATION: I-84, exit 63, Nichol Basin, OR
» FEE: On-street parking fee $2.50/hour
» AMENITIES: Wind sheltered, water access,
sandy beach

THE SPIT, OR K PS ■
Summer home for many kite schools. Beware
of strong currents in middle of river.
» LOCATION: I-84, exit 63
» FEE: Free
» AMENITIES: Rustic site, porta-potties, sandbar

MARINA BEACH, OR K PS W ■
Flat water and shallow water for beginners.
Beware of current on west end.
» LOCATION: I-84, exit 64
» FEE: Free
» AMENITIES: Grassy picnic areas, bathrooms,
pay showers, picnic tables

BINGEN, WA K PS W ■
Uncrowded, mellow site. Flat water, small chop.
Beware of shallow rocks, island and pilings
west of launch.
» LOCATION: SR 14, milepost 62
» FEE: Free
» AMENITIES: grassy rigging, porta-potties,
picnic area

ROCK CREEK, OR K PS W ■
Mosier community members ask that you be
respectful to native plant species.
» LOCATION: I-84, exit 69
» FEE: $5/day – $50 season pass – Available at
Brennas Market – cityofmosier.com
» AMENITIES: Porta-potties, picnic tables,
grassy rigging area

MAYER STATE PARK, OR K PS W ■ ◆
Chopped water with small swells. Can get
crowded during the summer.
» LOCATION: I-84, exit 76
» FEE: $5/day – $30 season pass –
oregonstateparks.org
» AMENITIES: Paved parking, grassy rigging,
pit toilets, picnic tables

DOUG’S BEACH, WA W ◆
Big swells, shallow water near beach.
» LOCATION: SR 14, milepost 74
» FEE: $11.50/day – $35 season pass –
discoverpass.wa.org
» AMENITIES: Porta-potties, grassy rigging,
picnic tables

AVERY, WA PS W ■
Uncrowded, nice waves, choppy at times.
» LOCATION: SR 14, near milepost 87
» FEE: Free
» AMENITIES: Porta-potty, picnic tables

CELILO, OR K PS W ■
Narrow river crossing, choppy. Beware of
barges coming around corner from the east.
» LOCATION: I-84, exit 97
» FEE: $5 day pass – $30 season pass
oregonstateparks.org
» AMENITIES: Best grassy rigging areas in
the Gorge, family friendly

MARYHILL, WA K W ■ ◆
Located at Maryhill State Park, sail from your
campsite! Swells are big and current is swift.
» LOCATION: SR 14, just east of Biggs Bridge
» FEE: $11.50/day – $35 season pass –
discoverpass.wa.org
Overnight rates apply and vary
» AMENITIES: Flush toilets, camping, changing
rooms, grassy rigging, picnic tables, shelters,
grills, family friendly

THE WALL, WA W ◆ :: Very advanced
Narrow reach makes for large swells and
strong current.
» LOCATION: East of Maryhill Park on the road
to the community of Maryhill
» FEE: Free
» AMENITIES: Very rustic, porta-potty

RUFUS, OR K W ■ ◆ :: Very advanced
Sailing with some of the biggest swells in
the Gorge.
» LOCATION: I-84, exit 109
» FEE: Free
» AMENITIES: Vault-toilets

ARLINGTON, OR K PS W ◆
Wide reach, great swell, competent sailors
only. On calm days, great for paddling.
» LOCATION: I-84, exit 137
» FEE: Free
» AMENITIES: RV parking, dry camping,
flush toilets

ROOSEVELT, WA K PS W ■ ◆
Nicest wind and water conditions in the
Gorge when the wind moves to the east.
Steady wind, no chop, rolling swells.
» Location: SR 14, exit 133
» FEE: Free
» AMENITIES: Free camping, picnic area,
porta-potties, grassy rigging, flush toilets and
showers / Tent campers: beware of sprinklers
going on in middle of the night /

3-MILE, OR K PS W ■ ◆
A long drive, but well worth it. Wide section,
sail with a buddy. Only go out to main
channel if you are advanced. Semi-enclosed
lagoon is good for beginners.
» LOCATION: I-84, exit 151
» FEE: Free
» AMENITIES: Porta-potties

Information provided courtesy of
Columbia Gorge Wind and Water Association — cgw2.org

Heading 1

VIENTO, OR K PS W ■ ◆

One of the most scenic sites in the Gorge.

Good spot to practice water starts. Beware of

underwater logs close to shore.

/ Located at the campground /

» LOCATION: I-84, exit 56

» FEE: $5/day – $30 season pass –

oregonstateparks.org

» AMENITIES: Pit toilet, picnic tables, camping

nearby

SWELL CITY, WA *PS W ◆

*Paddle Sports at East Cove only

Very large swells, for experienced sailors only.

Not family or dog friendly, close to highway.

Owned by CGWA.

» LOCATION: SR 14, near milepost 56

» FEE: CGW2 Members Only Annual and

Day-Use Guests Pass – cgw2.org

» AMENITIES: Porta-potties, sail drying

rack available, picnic tables

CHEAP BEACH, WA W ◆

Good swells, less crowds than the hatchery.

Limited parking, difficult launch. Not family or

dog friendly, close to highway.

» LOCATION: SR 14, near milepost 56

» FEE: Free

» AMENITIES: None

SPRING CREEK FISH HATCHERY, WA K PS W ◆

Hot spot for pros and advanced windsurfers.

Swell can get very big. Difficult launch. Great

spectator spot for watching freestyle experts.

» LOCATION: SR 14, near milepost 56

» FEE: $11.50/day – $35 season pass –

discoverpass.gov.wa

» AMENITIES: Pit toilets, picnic tables, grassy

rigging area

THE HOOK, OR PS W ● ■

The best place in the Gorge for beginners.

» LOCATION: I-84, exit 63, western most point

on the waterfront in Hood River.

» FEE: Free

» AMENITIES: Porta-potties, changing rooms,

access ramp for intermediate sailors,

picnic tables

JENSEN BEACH, OR W ■

Rustic launch conditions along Hood River

Waterfront.

» LOCATION: I-84, exit 63

» FEE: $2.50/hour – kiosk on site –

portofhoodriver.com

» AMENITIES: Use Waterfront Park amenities

EVENT SITE, OR K PS W ■

Very user friendly, grassy rigging, rocky

launch, booties recommended.

» LOCATION: I-84, exit 63

» FEE: $15/day for vehicles up to 20 ft – over

20 ft, $25/day – $200 season pass for vehicles

up to 20 ft – $350 season pass for vehicles

over 20 ft – portofhoodriver.com

» AMENITIES: Flush toilets, grassy rigging

Living the Dream.
windsurf-express-gear-rental-about-us.jpg

Hi! We are Randy and Angela Rhodes. We are so excited to help you get on the water this summer!

 

Randy started windsurfing at age 9 in the Florida panhandle. He was immediately hooked, and started racing one design, while working at his local windsurfing shop. After college Randy made his way to Hood River for the first time. For seven epic Hood River summers, Randy taught windsurfing lessons for all levels from beginners to advanced, and even a few loop lessons. A few seasons working at windsurfing resorts in Aruba and Baja, and Randy found himself teaching windsurfing, and managing the local windsurfing shop in Corpus Christi, TX for the next 15 years. Now more than 2 decades since he first splashed into the Columbia River, Randy is stoked to be living in Hood River with his family full time.

 

Angela grew up with windsurfing in her blood. Childhood summers spent at Colorado reservoirs hanging around while her family rented windsurfing gear, and weekends traveling to local windsurf club races. In high school she joined Team USA, a youth formula windsurfing development team, and had the incredible opportunity to travel to huge windsurfing events in Portugal, Thailand, and Canada. Around the same time Angela started teaching windsurfing lessons at her local lake, and continued to teach windsurfing lessons of all ages even after becoming a registered nurse.

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