GORGE WINDS THE COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE is a source of phenomenal beauty and enjoyment, providing a playground for just about every kind of recreation. The river’s canyon-like walls create a natural wind tunnel, making ideal conditions for windsurfing, kiteboarding and sailing. In fact, some call Hood River, just 20-minutes east of Stevenson, the windsurfing capital of the world, thanks to the incredible gorge winds that blow from Rooster Rock in the west to Arlington in the east. In the early 1980s the “boardheads” discovered the high and steady wind that blew through the Gorge. Windsurfing shops began to spring up all over the area. Summer saw an annual migration of windsurfing enthusiasts from all over the world who came to challenge what soon became affectionately labeled the "nuclear winds" of the Gorge. For some real entertainment, drive down to the Spring Creek Fish Hatchery on Highway 14 in Washington and watch the windsurfers jump and loop in the large waves. Kiteboarding was discovered in 1989 when Corey Roeseler strapped his feet to stock water skis, and with three rectangular colorful kites, took off across the Columbia into a crowd of surprised windsurfers. Today, kiteboarding is one of the fastest growing water sports in the world and you can find the mecca of kiteboarding enthusiasts right here in Skamania County. A great spot for viewing this exciting sport is on the riverfront at East Point in Stevenson, Washington. The Bridge of the Gods Kiteboarding Festival is held on the waterfront in Stevenson each summer. Athletes from all over the nation travel to this event to compete in the nation’s longest running kiteboarding contest. Skamania County is your home base for all the fun, excitement and scenery the Columbia River Gorge has to offer. Enjoy your visit and don’t forget your camera!
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2010 SKAMANIA COUNTY VISITORS’ GUIDE
www.skamania.org