NORDAMERIKA & PAZIFIK
Kitesurfing at Hood River – Columbia River Gorge
A thermal channel effect: cool Pacific air is drawn through the Gorge towards the hot desert to the east, giving wind almost daily in summer. The centre of American kiteboarding, with a strong community and a slider park.
At a glance
| Water | chop |
| Wind quality | gusty |
| Typical wind | 22 kn |
| Usable directions | West, straight down the river (245–295°) |
| Season | May to September |
| Tide | no noticeable tide |
| Depth | deep |
Which kite size does this spot call for?
The table below is not copied from a chart. It is the same calculation the calculator on the front page runs, applied to this spot: chop and gusty wind both shift the size, and so does your body weight. The rule of thumb everyone quotes is calibrated to a 75 kg rider – above roughly 100 kg it drifts, which is why the table goes to 140.
| Rider | 17 kn | 22 kn | 28 kn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60 kg | 7–8 m² | 5–6 m² | 4–5 m² |
| 75 kg | 9–10 m² | 7–8 m² | 5–6 m² |
| 90 kg | 10–11 m² | 8–9 m² | 6–7 m² |
| 105 kg | 12–13 m² | 9–10 m² | 7–8 m² |
| 120 kg | 13–14 m² | 10–11 m² | 8–9 m² |
| 140 kg | 15–17 m² | 12–13 m² | 9–10 m² |
Work this spot out with my own numbers
What is it doing right now?
Forecast wind for this spot, and – in Germany – the value actually measured at the nearest DWD station. Nothing is fetched until you ask for it: press the button and your browser contacts the services, not before.
How often does it actually work here?
A wind statistic tells you how often the wind blows. That is not the same question. What matters is how many days your own kites carry you here – between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., for at least two hours, and only from the directions this spot can actually use (245–295°). The calculator works that out from five years of recorded hourly wind and tells you which size is missing from your quiver.
Count the rideable days for my quiver
What to watch out for
Strong river current, which pushes underpowered riders under the bridge or across to the far bank. Launch only from the marked spots.
All figures are researched regular conditions, not a forecast, and no substitute for a local briefing. Wind and water can look different here on any given day.