The Columbia River Gorge is world renowned for big wind, big wave windsurfing. With change of seasons, summer to winter, the Gorge draws a different windsurfer. A seeker of the true extreme in high wind, extreme weather windsurfing. Stevenson, Washington is the center of this niche extreme practice of the sport.

In the fall most windsurfers leave the Gorge for warmer climes—Baja, Maui and other such venues. On the heels of that exodus comes the sailing season a small core of sailors relish. The East Wind Days in Stevenson. A diet of steady 40-45 knot winds pushing 5-foot waves turn the river into a windsurfer’s ideal playground, except the temperatures. Air temps in the 40’s are considered balmy. The water temp hovers in the 30’s and snow often lies on the banks of the river.

A combination of geography and predictable weather conditions create the Gorge winds. In the summer, the hot air of the Great Basin desert rises drawing the cooler air over the Pacific Ocean inland seeking to equalize pressure. Hitting the crest of the Cascades Mountains, the air is forced through the relatively narrow slot where the Gorge breaks the mountains. The westerlies pump and the crowds follow.

In the winter, the same geography sets the stage for Stevenson’s epic east winds. Cold arctic air drops into the Great Basin from Canada. As the warmer air off the Pacific rises, the cold interior air is drawn toward the ocean to equalize the pressure. Unlike the summer winds, which emulate a sea breeze, growing stronger as the day warms, the easterlies blow hard all day and all night driven by major weather systems. It is not uncommon to have strings of 45-knot days one after another with rolling waves of 6 feet in the river.

Heavy wet suits or dry suits are de rigueur. Bootees, gloves, and hoods are mandatory. Small sails and smaller boards. With water temperatures hovering in the 30’s, gear busting epic waves and wind, the easterlies leave no room for mistakes. Stronger. Colder. Bigger waves. And a special breed of windsurfer.

The easterlies may not be the track you seek, but watching those who come from afar to rip the waves will give you an up close appreciation for the extreme side of windsurfing in the Columbia River Gorge.

Make Tracks to Stevenson where hardcore windsurfers play for keeps.

For real time Stevenson weather—www.cityofstevenson.com/weather.html

For more information:

www.cityofstevenson.com/eastwind

1-800-989-9178

509-427-8911

info@cityofstevenson.com

For Photos: www.cityofstevenson/eastwind
Please credit photographer if used.

Other Links:

www.cityofstevenson.com
www.skamania.com
www.cgriversidelodge.com
www.econolodge.com
www.skamania.org