[Under construction – please join in and edit]

• Easy access, consistent wind, warm water, and great town.
• The river flows to the west and the wind blows to the east.

To orient yourself, use the map here. Following are the downwinder routes.

1. Bob's Beach to Home Valley (5.5 miles)
   1. Putin and takeout on Washington side of the river.
2. Home Valley to Drano (7 miles)
   1. Putin and takeout on Washington side of the river.
3. Viento to Hood River (8 miles)
   1. Putin and takeout on Oregon side of the river.
   2. Work the Oregon side for the first half of the run and then ease over to the Washington side for the second half for the fastest runs.
   3. Remember that you are paddling upstream so the biggest runs are often stacked in the strongest opposing current and**the fastest line is usually somewhere between the biggest runs in the current and the flatness over to the side.
   4. The lower part of the run near the Washington side is known as Swell City. Very large waves. Smaller waves in the center and near the Oregon side.
4. The Hatchery
   1. An excellent place to practice by doing laps. Ride downwind and use the eddy to easily paddle the upwind section of your laps.
5. The Paddlewheeler
   1. When the wind isn't blowing the paddlewheeler is out you may hop on its wake and ride it up and down the river.

• The Gorge Downwind Championships

• Extreme winds. Must have a dependable remount in big conditions.
• Watch for kiteboarders, windsurfers and large barges.

• The Gorge is My Gym The best wind forecast for surf skiing the Gorge.
• Strava Automatically tracks your routes and compares your time to other paddlers.

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[All the local dealers may be reached through the Whatcom Paddler's listserv. They are free to post their contact info here.]​​​​​​​

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