Windsurfing and Kite-Boarding
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Windsurfing conditions near the town of Hood River have made the Columbia River Gorge world-famous. In recent years, kite-boarding has become almost as popular. Other than the San Francisco Bay Area, no other place in the continental United States boasts summertime air flows as consistently strong as those in the Gorge. Championship events and top competitors have coalesced on the shores of the river here, 60 miles east of Portland.
The Columbia River runs in the opposite direction of the westerly air flows, which can cause large waves to stack up and allow sailboarders to maintain their positions relative to the shore. In short, the area offers the perfect marriage of optimal conditions and scenic beauty.
Some coastal waters are also gaining popularity for sailboarders. Floras Lake, near Port Orford, and Pistol River State Park, near Gold Beach, are top destinations. The latter hosts the Pistol River Wave Bash National Windsurfing Competition each June.
by Judy Jewell and W. C. McRae from Moon Oregon, 8th Edition, © Elizabeth & Mark Morris and Avalon Travel
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Moon Travel Guides make independent travel and outdoor exploration fun and accessible. With expert and adventurous travel writers delivering a mix of honest insight, first-rate strategic travel advice, insider travel tips and an essential dose of humor, Moon Travel Guides ensure that travelers have an uncommon and entirely satisfying experience. Each travel book is filled with unique trip ideas, easy-to-use maps, and detailed information on sights, restaurants, and accommodations. Moon Travel Guides not only point you in the right direction, they inspire new ideas and adventure. Whether you are seeking a relaxing beach trip to Hawaii, or an adventure travel trip to the rainforests of Costa Rica, Moon guidebooks—and Moon.com—are with you every step of the way. Founded in 1973, the Moon Travel Guides series includes Moon Handbooks, Moon Outdoors, Moon Metro, Moon Living Abroad and Moon Spotlight travel books. Moon is based in Berkeley, California and is a proud member of the Perseus Books Group.