First time to Gorge.

I going to go to Gorge this summer. What best time for such trip? What best spot to start with? Any place to stay? Rent or bring my own staff (Fanatic Cross 100)? I'm on East Coast, intermediate sailor, 190 lbs..

Any info highly appreciated!

I'd bring my own staff...the locals at the Hatchery would be impressed to watch them rig for you and take your gear down to the water and help you launch. Many kiters at Stevenson bring their own staff to help them launch.

How old are you? There was an 18 yearold girl from Santa Cruz heading up there this Summer and was looking for a hookup and/or pals of similar age to hang with. I think her email addie was gustqueen or shredbetty...you could search the archives on Google groups http://www.google.com/grphp?hl=en by typing in gorge...as in gorge washington...

WARDOG

I'm 42 )), and my girlfriend think - that's not good idea.

<<> Rent or bring my own staff

I'd bring my own staff...the locals at the Hatchery would be impressed to watch them rig for you and take your gear down to the water and help you launch. Many kiters at Stevenson bring their own staff to help them launch.>>

I agree with Wardog, bring your own staff, and don't forget the aerial photographer.

You didn't say that you were bringing your girlfriend, is she part of your 'staff'?... Does she sail? I hear you can 'rent' girlfriends in Portland.

WARDOG

I have been sailing here since 1980, developing with Mistral, Hood River windsurfing the first rental and school programs.

Bring stuff for light wind so you can sail every day, just like we did when we sailed the Gorge alone and could not even find cars with boards on them anywhere. Being alone we never had to deal with wind snobs.

We were hard core skiers who skied no matter what,( thank god the just say no to 5.0 crowd had not arrived yet or even stepped on a board)

You can count on one thing: bring your light wind stuff, then the wind will blow so hard, you will not even consider a 4.5 at the windy sites. If you do not bring your light wind stuff, then naturally the wind will be light

Bill Kline Gorge Sport USA Curtis Performance Fins, Orca Fins, Orca Kite Fins Hood River, OR USA

ph/541 387 2649 fax/541 386 1715

yeppers...

My first time back to the Gorge after many years was last year, and we sat on our hands for three days waiting while light winds did their thing. But all was not lost, Mt. Hood, the waterfalls, and the surrounding area are worth the sightseeing. I wished the whole time I had brought a Formula board and giant sail. We proved Bill's theory that time. Finally giving up, we went on to Portland and found the old neighborhood where I was

Bill That's a good one, the hard core vs wind snobs. Puts things in perspective. Thanks,

I've always equated the two.

Mike m/