G'day Breezer's
Has anybody got a lot of information on Hood River Oregon - Me keen on doing a Red Eye Strike Mission.
This video looks like FUN.

So I'm after Where to Stay Accommodation at Hood River.
Car Hire.
I believe they have a Shuttle Bus ? if True.

Any information will be greatly Appreciated.

?si=N4BNISDpHUxxFlcs

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Downwinder said..
G'day Breezer's
Has anybody got a lot of information on Hood River Oregon - Me keen on doing a Red Eye Strike Mission.
This video looks like FUN.

So I'm after Where to Stay Accommodation at Hood River.
Car Hire.
I believe they have a Shuttle Bus ? if True.

Any information will be greatly Appreciated.

?si=N4BNISDpHUxxFlcs

Is this place the pinnacle for downwinding? Imagine going back ten years ago and telling us all that the hood river would be a popular overseas travel destination for surfers.

I'll be there in Sept for the foil conference , insane spot but accommodation is really expensive. You can fly to Vancouver and drive 5-1/2 hours or fly to San Fran > Oregan 1-1/2 hour drive (cheapest route). `I'll be there with the Foildrive crew not a good time to go when the conference is on as all the Air BNB 's will be gone. Chat to John at SurfFx he is all over it he lived in Canada and made the trip many times. You can actually DW and drift paddle back ( if you keep it short) as it's all wind against tide so can get away without a shuttle but that is well-serviced. Look into a camper van that would suit you. During Covid like the Gold Coast the place has exploded and never came back to normal pricing so don't just lob there without pre booked accom.

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Piros said..
I'll be there in Sept for the foil conference , insane spot but accommodation is really expensive. You can fly to Vancouver and drive 5-1/2 hours or fly to San Fran > Oregan 1-1/2 hour drive (cheapest route). `I'll be there with the Foildrive crew not a good time to go when the conference is on as all the Air BNB 's will be gone. Chat to John at SurfFx he is all over it he lived in Canada and made the trip many times. You can actually DW and drift paddle back ( if you keep it short) as it's all wind against tide so can get away without a shuttle but that is well-serviced. Look into a camper van that would suit you. During Covid like the Gold Coast the place has exploded and never came back to normal pricing so don't just lob there without pre booked accom.

Thanks Pirso "Legend" have fun over in Oregon the place looks SO FUN. Will catch up on the Goldie after August. Me over here on Maui learning Downwind Foiling it's challenging even the best Guys found Foiling punishing as first getting there a@se handed themselves when learning. I've had my a@se handed to me a few time just balancing on the board to get up on foil in 40 knot winds is a workout. BUT working out the "Glide is Bulk Fun" Kihei was all time yesterday, Kihei is easier to learn than Maliko BUT got this one bump on Maliko that went forever My Best Glide on the Foil to Date. I Love Maui, the people, the place and the vibe "it's the best" Going to Jeremy Riggs Pop-Up flat-water class soon then a Kihei run then off to Mark Raaphorst place later for a few beers & feed. BIG DAY. Every where I go on Maui, I run into so many People I know Good Vibes.

Kane DeWilde did a Milko Run in 27 minutes BUT there's a fun Story, why he went so Fast - But they are saying soon Guys will be doing a Maliko Run in like 25 minutes "LIKE WOW" how fast can one go on a Foilboard Downwind "LUV IT"

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Downwinder said..

BUT there's a fun Story, why he went so Fast -

I like fun stories!

Here's a link to the shuttle. You first have to take the 'Max' train four stops from the airport to 'Gateway' to catch it.
www.ridecatbus.org/columbia-gorge-express/

Gateway transit center is a Portland experience that shouldn't be missed. The bus stop to HR has been temporarily relocated (you can see it from the usual stop). It's next to that line of houseless folks' tents. Here in the US, you're either rich, or well on your way to living in a tent. If you're foil brained, of course you live in a van down by the river (probably a customized $100K Mercedes sprinter).

While downwinding is generally easier here than the ocean, most runs are REALLY short. The longer runs in the HR area will be a pump fest. The footage at the beginning of that video was taken 75 miles East of Hood River so expect a lot of driving. As a 41 year resident I'm baffled as to why this place has become so popular. Overcrowded, overpriced, dirty water with a lot of millfoil (a long stringy weed), and it's basically a two month season. The rest of the year is winter and it's unfit for human habitation.

But don't let any of that stop you, there's some fun to be had

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Thatspec said..
Here's a link to the shuttle. You first have to take the 'Max' train four stops from the airport to 'Gateway' to catch it.
www.ridecatbus.org/columbia-gorge-express/

Thanks for the info Thatspec

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Thatspec said..

The rest of the year is winter and it's unfit for human habitation.

why does it only work for two months? Why doesn't winter work, does the water freeze?

I'm guessing it only gets warm enough for a spring-type melt to generate the water flow around September. Even then you can Snowboard in the morning and have a lunch DW run.

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supguythesecond said..

Thatspec said..

The rest of the year is winter and it's unfit for human habitation.

why does it only work for two months? Why doesn't winter work, does the water freeze?

I spoke with a married couple from the mainland at Kanaha Beach the other day while they where Windsurfing - they go to Hood River every year - the reason why it's only good for a few months; it's due to the Isobars if you understand Meteorology Atmospheric pressure, it's to do with snow melting on the mountains that creates that strong wind draft/flow, that makes Hood River so good. Is what I am hearing.

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supguythesecond said..

Thatspec said..

The rest of the year is winter and it's unfit for human habitation.

why does it only work for two months? Why doesn't winter work, does the water freeze?

I'm mainly referring to temperatures, It's considerably windier in both spring and winter though generally nowhere near Hood River. Winter months the whole meteorological process reverses and the East winds are centered more to the West, closer to Portland. It's freezing of course, think drysuits and gloves.

Spring West winds are the strongest Westerlies and one would be better off locating themselves in The Dalles, Rufus, or even Arlington where that footage was shot. It's also warmer and sunnier out there though water temps in spring still require a hooded 5/4 and booties. We basically get July and August where you can wear a shortie and winds are centered closer to HR. That's also when it's nearly impossible to get parking.

There is really quite a bit of room to spread out here, unfortunately river access points are limited bunching folks up at the best spots. Intermediates tend to like to stay pretty close to where they launch, particularly lawn mowing windsurfers. Plenty of shouting matches.

I was cut off yesterday downwinding through the Hatchery, came off foil and spent the next five minutes in the middle of (and contributing to) the giant cluster f#ck that the Hatch has become famous for. I would have been through there in moments if the lawn mowers would just work with us and choose another of the myriad of course options they have to choose from.