The image of a windsurfing spot is often that of an exotic sun-kissed beach with swaying palm trees or a picturesque lake or lagoon. However, rarely do people think of a river gorge as a likely windsurfing destination. However, there are surfers who are especially inclined to practice canyon windsurfing. The Columbia River Gorge is the most popular windsurfing spot in the gorge and is swallowed by windsurfers every year. Although canyon windsurfing can be practiced with regular equipment, if the conditions are difficult, you will need strong wind equipment. There are a large number of windsurfing shops to buy or rent windsurfing equipment in the gorge.
Windsurf Gorge Shutters
There are many shops that sell self-made or other brand gorge windsurfing equipment. Some of the featured stores are:
- Wind: Windance offers a range of windsurfing gear and gear especially for throat windsurfing. Windance also manufactures surfboards themselves and is a brand to watch out for especially in the Columbia River area. The shop was established in 1984 and has since become synonymous with windsurfing in the gorge. Dave Nunn, the owner of Windance, is a huge windsurfing enthusiast and shares information about the various windsurfing events taking place in the Columbia Gorge, the city on the Hood River, and the latest windsurfing gear available in store.
- Gorge Surf House: Established in 1989, the Gorge Surf House is run by the famous Scott Freeman. Unlike Windance, the Gorge Surf House does not make its own equipment. As an experienced windsurfer, Scott understands the importance of selecting the right gear. He has therefore hired experienced surfers as employees of his shop so that they can guide buyers to buy the right equipment. In addition to top brands, Gorge Surf House also carries used surf gear for those who don’t want to spend too much on new gear.
- big winds: Based on the one stop shop concept for windsurfing, it is one of the most complete shops in the Columbia River Gorge. Not only does it offer windsurfing equipment and gear, it also provides windsurfing lessons for all levels of surfers. From basic windsurfing lessons to the most advanced levels, Big Winds provides guidance every step of the way. The store also hosts kids’ windsurfing camps every year in Hood River. Big Winds also offers gear and equipment rentals for seasonal surfers.
- wind wing: Another prominent windsurf shop in the Gorge, Windwing is one of the oldest windsurf shops in the Hood River area. The shop opened some twenty-five years ago and has since become a leading outlet for all windsurfing equipment and gear. One of the highlights of Windwing is the Bash sails. A bash sail would allow the surfer to use it for any type of windsurfing and helps eliminate the hassle of changing sails every time conditions change.
These are just a few of the largest windsurf shops in the Columbia River Gorge. There are several small shops and businesses in the Gorge area that supply all kinds of windsurfing equipment.