The Stevenson - Hood River downwinder

Dern · Since 11 Jul 2010 545 Posts Vancouver, WA Addicted

Some friends and I have been looking into this for the blowout etc.

What are the main things to really know about the route in order to make this a successful trip? Like kite size "strategy," outs, dead zones, etc?

tonyb · Sun Jul 07, 13 8:29 pm

We'll probably make a practice run or two sometime in the next few weeks after KB4C and before the Blowout on August 3rd. I'll post on here if it's something we figure out ahead of time.

Some general tips (learned the hard way) for practice runs.

- Leave Stevenson no later than 4 pm. Before 3 is even better, between 1 and 2 is best.
- Check the wind at both locations before leaving to make sure it's blowing. Even better is to drop a car in HR then drive back up the WA side and make sure you see whitecaps all the way.
- Generally HR blows 5 to 10 mph stronger than Stevie. Rig for HR winds if you can. For the actual race we generally rig for Stevie to Home Valley winds then hang on for the wild ride from Viento to HR.
- Probably best not to go if you're having to ride a 12m or 13m kite at Stevenson. Same for if you are on a 5m.
- Surfboards are a blast for the downwinder and work best in the chop. Twin Tips work as well and are easier to switch up your stance and rest your legs but they are harder to ride straight down wind.
- Get a carabiner and clip some flip flops to your harness in case you need to walk out somewhere along the way.
- If you have a dry bag for a cell phone bring it.
- Bring some cash in case you need to hitch a ride.
- Dress warm. You might be riding Stevie or HR without a wetsuit but wear at least a shorty or more for the down winder. You might be swimming a long way.
- Leave some dry clothes and a sweatshirt in HR.
- After Home Valley it's generally easier to get out on the WA side and get up to the road, even if it means a longer swim.
- First get out is Home Valley. If you don't see rollers and white caps down wind of HV think very hard about taking the next leg. If you aren't past HV by 4:30 or so probably best to get out. If it takes you more than 40 minutes to get from Stevenson to HV you should probably call it quits until you can ride down wind better.
- After HV most of the WA side is a pretty easy get out and easy hike to Hwy 14. Oregon side has more bushes and trees to get through and some bigger hills to get up to I-84.
- Viento is an OK get out.
- Watch out for the windsurfers when going past The Hatch! Stay well out in the channel and don't hug the WA shoreline.
- After the Hatch head towards the White Salmon bridge and stay out of the Wells Island wind shadow. Especially late in the day.
- Watch out for barge traffic, especially if the wind is getting iffy. If you're going to drop the kite try not to do it in the main traffic lane!
- If the wind starts to get light work nearer the shorelines more so than the middle (don't fight the current).
- When in doubt there is generally more wind in the center of the river. But sometimes you need to work one side or the other. If you're kiting along and all of a sudden it feels like the wind is dying make an immediate turn towards the shore. Sometimes just backing up wind 50 or a 100 yards can get you back in to wind and make it easier to pull the plug or switch to the other side of the river.
- Wind flows around the outside bend of a curve in the river faster than the inside bend. Keep that in mind when things get iffy.
- If the kiter in front of you suddenly has his kite fall out of the sky due to lack of wind change direction immediately! There are dead zones out there that will suck you in. Nice thing is they also go away after a short time.
- Watch out for the devil winds just past Wind Mountain. Direction can change 90 degrees in an instant. Try not to be too close to WA at this point.

For those of you who have never done this downwinder it is one of the most beautiful trips you can ever take. Simply amazing scenery and a fun challenge with all of the different wind and water conditions. You'll find smooth steady winds, gusty, punchy, swirly winds, light wind and nuking wind; you'll find smooth water, chop, and waist high rollers, sometimes all within a 1/2 mile stretch.

For those who want to do the Blowout race you need to have done this downwinder at least once and preferably a couple of times on your own prior to the race. You also need to be able to get from Stevenson to Hood River in under two hours. The top racers will be finishing in less than 40 minutes. Middle of the pack is an hour fifteen. Late pack is an hour forty to two hours.

Besides all the precautions and wild stories we've all told about this run it really is pretty fun and any intermediate level kiter who is ok at riding down wind can make the run. We've even done it a couple of times completely impromptu, arranged while we are out on the water goofing around. We've also had to swim a few times after careful planning and checking. Our success rate for practice runs is about 7 out of 10. Your mileage may vary.

Tony

jblum · Since 13 Jul 2008 306 Posts The Gorge Obsessed

That was an awesome post. Thanks for all the tips! I'm stoked on doing it just from reading your notes!

hilton · Since 15 Aug 2008 799 Posts Opinionated

This should be obvious, but you should be totally comfortable doing the Viento - Hood River run before attempting the Blowout from Stevenson. The run from Viento is half as far and at least four times easier since it is a straighter section of river with more consistent winds. It is also the most fun section since it has the best swell from just above Swell City to Wells Island.
The Viento downwinder is a great way to get away from the July crowds on the Sand Bar.

ldhr · Since 21 Jul 2009 1487 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

MikeZ · Mon Jul 08, 13 10:52 am **Re: Viento - Hood River**

flipper · Since 17 Oct 2011 320 Posts Obsessed

BeerKite · Since 29 Mar 2011 471 Posts Obsessed

Your totally capable Mike. Just go with a buddy. Give me a shout if ever want to hit it up. Great way to work on transitions and toeside riding.

Gorgegezzer · Since 14 Jan 2007 67 Posts

The bushes include poison oak

MikeZ · Tue Jul 09, 13 11:22 am

hilton · Since 15 Aug 2008 799 Posts Opinionated