The picture of a windsurfing location is usually that of an exotic sun-kissed beach with swaying palms or of a picturesque lake or lagoon. However, rarely do people think of a river gorge as a probable windsurfing destination. However, there are surfing enthusiasts who are specially inclined to practice gorge windsurfing. The Columbia River gorge is the most popular location for gorge windsurfing and is thronged by windsurfers every year. Although gorge windsurfing can be windsurfing practiced with the regular equipments, if the conditions are difficult then you would require high wind equipments. There is large number of windsurfing shops to purchase or rent gorge windsurfing equipments.
Gorge Windsurfing Stores
There are many stores that sell self-manufactured or other brands of gorge windsurfing equipments. Some of the prominent stores are as follows:
Windance: Windance offers a range of windsurfing gear and equipments especially for gorge windsurfing. Windance also manufactures the surf boards by itself and is a brand to reckon with especially in the Columbia River area. The store was established in 1984 and since then has become synonymous with gorge windsurfing. Dave Nunn, the owner of Windance, is a keen windsurfing enthusiast and shares information on the various windsurfing events to be held at the Columbia gorge, the Hood river town and the latest windsurfing equipments available at the store.
Gorge Surf House: Established in 1989, the Gorge Surf House and is run by the famous Scott Freeman. Unlike the Windance, Gorge Surf House does not manufacture its own equipments. An expert windsurfer himself, Scott understands the importance of selecting the right equipment. Hence, he has recruited experienced surfers as his store employees so that they can guide the buyers to purchase the precise equipment. Apart from all the top brands, Gorge Surf House also offers used surf equipments for those who do not want to spend too much on a brand new kit.
Big Winds: Based on the concept of one-stop-shop for windsurfing, it is one of the most comprehensive stores in the Columbia River Gorge. It not only offers windsurfing equipments and gear but also provides windsurfing lessons for all levels of surfers. From basic windsurfing lessons to the most advanced levels, Big Winds provides guidance at every step. The store also holds children's windsurfing camps every year at the Hood River. Big Winds also offers equipments and gear on rent for the seasonal surfers.
Windwing: Yet another prominent windsurfing store in the Gorge, the Windwing is one of the oldest windsurfing stores in the Hood River area. The store opened about twenty five years back and since then has emerged as a leading outlet for all windsurfing equipments and gear. One of the highlights of Windwing is the Bash sails. A bash sail would allow the surfer to use it for windsurfing any type of windsurfing and helps in doing away with the trouble of changing sails every time the conditions change.
These are just a few of the largest windsurfing shops in the Columbia River gorge. There are several small shops and companies in the Gorge area that supply all types of windsurfing equipments.