Sports
There are many options when it comes to learning how to kite in Hood River, but for the 3rd season in a row vela has selected one school to work with: GOREG KITE! Gorge Kiteboard School has been a PASA certified school since 2003 and has earned a reputation as one of the most professional kiteboarding schools in the country. Owner and instructor, Mark Worth, maintains the school's strong reputation and your safety by teaching every lesson. When you sign up with Gorge Kiteboard School, you know that Mark will be your instructor. Your safety is his number one priority both during your kiteboard instruction and after you are on your own.
Gorge Kiteboard School uses a unique curriculum that is created for the wind/water conditions encountered in the Gorge: the curriculum focuses on teaching you to fly the kite well before putting you on the board. The kite is designed to lift you 40 feet into the sky, learning to keep it under control is the top priority. You will be taught a strong foundation of kite-flying skills help you learn to kiteboard safely at your pace. This will allow you to generate more power in light wind and maintain control and your safety in sudden gusts. Your kite flying skills will be combined with strong bodysurfing skills that will allow you to get back to your board easily or get safely to land. When you demonstrate strong control of the kite as you move through deep water we will add the board to the mix.
Generally because Gorge Kiteboard students have good kite skills, they learn to waterstart and ride in control without big crashes. These kite skills will speed your progress keep you safe through your kiting future. Gorge Kiteboard School uses a unique curriculum that is created for the wind/water conditions encountered in the Gorge. The Gorge Kiteboard School curriculum focuses on teaching you to fly the kite well before putting you on the board. The kite is designed to lift you 40 feet into the sky, learning to keep it under control is the top priority. You will be taught a strong foundation of kite-flying skills help you learn to kiteboard safely at your pace. This will allow you to generate more power in light wind and maintain control and your safety in sudden gusts. Your kite flying skills will be combined with strong bodysurfing skills that will allow you to get back to your board easily or get safely to land. When you demonstrate strong control of the kite as you move through deep water we will add the board to the mix. Generally because Gorge Kiteboard students have good kite skills, they learn to waterstart and ride in control without big crashes. These kite skills will speed your progress keep you safe through your kiting future.
All the equipment you will need for your lesson from your booties to your helmet and including kites and boards is provided, including Cabrinha Kites, Headzone Radio Helmets, Promotion Wetsuits (limited sizes available), Da Kine Shorts Harness, and professional instruction. Are you ready to kite?
With everything you need to help you learn from the beginning or to improve your current skills, Vela and Big Winds will have just the right program for everyone in your group. A huge selection of high-performance rental and demo equipment, an outstanding Kids Camp, specialized clinics, and the most knowledgeable staff around, you can trust us to help you get to where you want to be with your sailing.
DISCOVER THE BEAUTIFUL COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE BY PADDLEBOARDING!
Whether you are a windsurfer, surfer or neither, beginner or advanced paddle boarder; stand-up paddle boarding is an exciting way to take in the tranquil natural surroundings of the Columbia River Gorge. The breathtaking scenery teeming with bird and water-life provides a spectacular natural backdrop for your stand-up paddle boarding tour. Stand Up Paddling helps with your core balance, posture and is a great workout. With our instruction you will be having fun paddling the beautiful Columbia River Gorge while discovering all of its beautiful secrets from the water!
WHITEWATER RAFTING AND KAYAKING
If you have a whitewater kayaker in your group, odds are they can tell you all about the world-class whitewater around Hood River. For those of you who don’t, here’s the scoop...
WHITE SALMON RIVER
When going on a whitewater rafting trip, the closest (and one of the best) is the White Salmon. Experienced professional rafting guide services are available so that even the inexperienced can enjoy whitewater boating. Known for its breathtaking combination of whitewater and scenery, the White Salmon is designated for protection under the Wild and Scenic rivers Act. Glacial waters from Mt. Adams supplement the cold, clear spring water that cascades through narrow, shaded, cliff-lined basalt canyons before dropping into the warm sunshine of a dry, pine-oak wooded valley. In between the rapids you will have a chance to view lava formed rock walls and watch for wildlife in forests that are only accessible from the river.
When scheduling a trip on the White Salmon, be sure to ask if they use the put-in above BZ Falls and have the option of running Husum Falls (it’s really fun and you get to brag to your friends that you rafted a waterfall!).
The Farmlands section of the White Salmon is named for the rolling farmlands you will see on the bus ride to the put-in for this run. As you look around at the rolling hills and Mt. Adams in the distance, you’d never know that a cool, green canyon with volcanic walls coming straight up from under the water in places is just around the corner. An exciting run that plunges through a spectacular, vertical-walled gorge with numerous ledge drops that rate class IV-V, this is an advanced section and most commercial outfitters don’t even offer it. But if you want a unique challenge and are up for adventurous rock scrambling on the portages and climbing for the entrance/exit, you will have a special experience that not many get to see.
Wherever you go, request the morning trip so you can get back to the Columbia in time for the afternoon winds! If you are a solid intermediate or advanced kiter, be sure to complete your day on the White Salmon with a few upwind (on a westerly) tacks from Kite Beach to ride the swells “at the bridge”.
WIND RIVER
The Wind River is one of the most challenging commercial rafting runs in the Pacific Northwest. It flows freely down the southern flanks of Mount Adams, cascading through tightly spaced boulder gardens, towering cliffs and steep ledge drops in a series of class IV to class V rapids, to the Columbia River near Carson Hot Springs. The springs make a wonderful end to a day's paddle, with good food, lodging, and clawfoot tubs for soaking. Don't miss this "hot spot" on your way home.
Don’t be fooled by the mild start to a Wind River rafting trip, rafters on the Wind should be prepared for challenging whitewater and adventurous rock-scrambling on the portages! A perfect run for experienced paddlers seeking the next level of adventure.
KLICKITAT RIVER
The Klickitat River is another Wild and Scenic River (noticing a trend here?) that feeds the Gorge. It is one of the longest free-flowing rivers in Washington, with class II – III whitewater action. Descending from the snow fields of Mt. Adams and the Goat Rocks Wilderness, the Klickitat River passes through some of the most remote wilderness canyons in the Pacific Northwest. You will raft from pristine pine and oak forests to breathtaking desert valleys with possible sightings of deer, elk and osprey along the way.
