Hi Dave, You're gonna love it!
There are some moderately safe places to learn in the Gorge.
The Dalles is a pretty good place. If you are rank beginners,
I'd recommend inside at the Hook. Plenty of safety there
in a fully enclosed shallow area. You'll also find learning
kit rentals there. Outside between the Hook and Wells island
is a great place to learn your water start. The launch is a pretty
ugly scramble down nasty rocks, but the wind blows you back
into the beach for a safe and rewarding water start experience
away from the main river. Also, the Hood River Sail Park just East
of the Event Site, though not protected from the main river is shallow
and typically lighter wind with nice grass, a sandy beach, and beach
side rentals and instruction.
Ready for a little more excitement? There's a really cool
bay way out East which is the launch into the main river
called 3 Mile canyon. When it blows out there it can be double black
diamond sailing, but the bay is totally enclosed away from the river,
and the break waters don't obstruct the wind, so you can get a
taste of real Gorge wind in the bay, but not have to deal with the current,
swells, or getting blown any farther than the end of the bay. It's a great
place for your first "extreme wind" experience. Just take lots of water,
and ask around town as to when it's going to blow out there, because
it is a long drive (1.5 hrs) from Hood River (but it's right on the way
in if you're driving from Salt Lake so check it out).
Have a look at the top 20 launches on line
http://www.rowenashores.com/top20/ or any of the Gorge Info page
(link is at the top of this page). That will give you some insight.
Also give us more details on your current level of experience, the gear
you currently use and own, where you currently sail and what conditions
you like best, and what thing you'd like to learn next, and we can give
more details.
The Tribe and I are up there most of the summer and would be happy to give you the insiders tour if we're up at the same time. Just email me your plans, and we'll see if we can't get together.
If you've got more specific questions ask'm
-Craig
Dave Obzansky wrote:Hope all you Gorge travelers can help with this one!!
Eileen and I are planning at least one Gorge trip this summer and wanted to check out some of the best beginner lauch sites. Eileen is just getting started so she likes big stable boards with very small sails. The Dalles sounds good, but are there other to check out?
Thanks
DaveO