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stringer
Since 31 Jul 2007
694 Posts
Chucktown
Flying Tomato
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 Sun Sep 09, 07 11:36 pm i need advice for easterlies in the gorge |
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as this is my first season, i haven't ridden east winds in the gorge.
does anybody have any advice about how this works?
it seems like things may be different with the wind blowing in the same direction as the current. |
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bulae99
Since 12 Jul 2006
1692 Posts
XTreme Poster
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| Mon Sep 10, 07 4:58 am Go to Stevenson on a 20 plus Day and Ask Grom |
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Stevenson is a great place to east wind it! No real trick except the tree.
_________________
Hey, I'm being hahahahahrassed! |
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Rico
Since 13 Mar 2005
1219 Posts
Vancouver
Photographer
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| Mon Sep 10, 07 5:42 am Rooster |
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Work your way upwind on every tack or find the huge flat water pond with no current.  |
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tonyb
Since 09 Oct 2006
973 Posts
Stevenson in the summer & SPI in the winter
Bolstad Clan
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| Mon Sep 10, 07 7:16 am |
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It's probably kind of obvious but I had to be reminded of it when I first started riding in easterlies, so....
Wind and current are running the same direction so to help get up wind on your first couple of tacks off the beach try to stay out of the main current and work your way up wind in the eddies near shore. At Stevenson this makes your first tack out pretty short but if you can come back in and get just above the launch point and make it into the bay by the boat launch area you will have a very easy time. There is very little current in the whole bay from the boat launch to the cemetery and it is really easy to stay upwind in there. Get out into the main channel and you'll be halfway to Cascade Locks after a few big jumps.
Also think ahead and look at your potential get out spots if something breaks. At Stevenson, from east to west, you've got the Rock, Bob's Beach, the house just before the railroad bridge, going under the rail road bridge (yes, I've used it!), then Cascade Locks. (dang! I've actually used all 4 of these spots over the years!!!  ) A self rescue from mid channel on an easterly can put you a long way down river in a very short time. Boards tend to take off and run when lost mid channel too. Best to kite with a buddy and keep an eye on each other.
Have fun!
Tony |
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pkh
Since 27 Feb 2005
6549 Posts
Couve / Hood
Honored Founder
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| Mon Sep 10, 07 7:20 am |
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When I first started riding easterlies I was pretty worried about staying upwind at spots like Stevenson, so we would do downwinders from Home Valley. The launch is a bit tough but its worth the struggle. Wind is usually very smooth and nice baby swell the whole way down.
Just make sure you start before noon, as easterlies have a nasty habit of (usually) dying in the afternoon. |
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