Water recreation in Portland (Seaside, Hood River: health, house, resort)

[deegers]

I decided to spit my main CHciago thread to a few thread because there were just too many good questions on there to be just one thread!

-HOw is the ability to go sailing or go to the beach?
-Is the water cold usually? Is there any surf out there? What water sports do most people do out there?
Do you see lots of people swiming in rivers and water holes?

Thanks!

[MtnSurfer]

Ok,

I will preface this with I do not live there yet either. But I have a friend who surfs in Seaside with a nice wetsuit of course. And as a surfer and ocean lover from birth I have looked into this quite a bit. So here are some of the Surf Spots.

Of course the gorge is world famous for wind surfing! The water temps are really cold but doable with the right gear. Have you ever surfed or swam in cold waters? It seems like to average beach goer thinks the water is too cold if you can't just jump in with a swim suit. But I have surfed in cold winter water in N. Cal. near Humboldt. So I am familiar with this kind of cold water experience. You have to prepare for it just like the snow, etc... Also the water temp warms up in the summers (low 60s vs. 50s the rest of the year).

[deegers]

Thanks Mtnsurfer! Know much about sailing? I noticed a picture of boats on the river by downtown. Any one know alot about their sailing clubs or anything?

[Nell Plotts]

There is/was the Willamette Sailing Club close to down town. That is where my son really developed his competitive skills. (He went on to attend CA Maritime and sail competitively in their program- on a team that won significant races). There used to be a sailing club that was like a co-op with their own boats on the Columbia.

Ocean sailing can be really challenging for much of the year. Many boaters in the Columbia-Wmt have sail boats but most don't have the skills to go blue-water.

There are some (damn fools IMHO) who surf in Oregon waters. Windsurfing is VERY popular in the Hood River area on the Columbia River.

Mariners Mom

[Nell Plotts]

Oh yes, the water is COLD, really cold. The rivers are snow melt, there are a few locations where under the right conditions you can catch the "Japanese Current" (which is relatively warm) in the Gulf Islands.

If you want warm water go sit in a tub fed by a warm spring (Warm Springs Resort, Bagby Hot Springs,.. and others).

[deegers]

Wow, thanks everyone! I heard about the wind sailing is really popular out there. It makes sense that the water would be cold. But, there's always those who love the challenge!

[tiffela74]

theres another couple water sports that seem to be popular from what Ive heard,
Kite Boarding...Looks like a blast! I taught private lessons to a guy who wanted to learn how to flip w/his. Wild guy! lol We saw a whole ton of people doing this down on the beach last summer, theyre a kick to watch!
I see lots of people go by w/surf boards on their rigs. I do believe each and everyone of them wear the wetsuits. Theres a big ole difference between our water temps and those in per say..So.Cal. but...we have less sharks I think.
Another thing I hear people going nutso about is this Kayaking. Criminy, I think about ever 1 out of 3 people around here is a fanatic! Made a friend via this board who moved here from Az, and she and her husband are so into it, theyve already bought their own personal crafts and are out doing this all the time!
I know several people here too, that do sailing. Some are into it big time! Iknow theres a few that do this every weekend PLUS a couple times a week! Sheesh! each to their own. lol They seem to enjoy it! theres a good sized group of kidlings that do this too. My daughter has a little friend who is into it in a big way, getting quite competetive as a team w/her dad, and she just turned 6!!! Of course, the are all into water skiing too. Even my inlaws water ski (the live on a lake though) they take my kids out on those funky donut things behind the boats. Not me man! I dearly love living by the water, i could stare at it all day long, but no way is anyone getting me IN the water! DOnt you people watch JAWS!?!? Revenge of the giant Jellyfish!?!? What Lurks Under The Water?!!? Hungry Hungry Turtles?!?!? LOL
There are a lot of people that go in the rivers and waterholes too. Theres a lot to chose from here in Oregon! lol What you really really have to watch for though, is 1)those days when it hits 95degrees, and people jump in the river thats still running cold w/the snow runoff. not healthy... 2) the drunks, usually the younger crowd, beer+water=drowning
If youre smart about it though, it can make for a wonderful day.
Unless youre like me, then you can just be happy w/sticking just your feet in CLEAR water w/no dark areas nearby where mean hungry things lurk.
Tiffany

[EnricoV]

Or there's always the Dragon boats.

[PNW-type-gal]

Lots of sailing on the Columbia River, too, with everything from an "official" sailboat racing season to the Wednesday night beer can races.

Portland Yacht Club - Portland, Oregon - On the Columbia River

[deegers]

Originally Posted by tiffela74

theres another couple water sports that seem to be popular from what Ive heard,
Kite Boarding...Looks like a blast! I taught private lessons to a guy who wanted to learn how to flip w/his. Wild guy! lol We saw a whole ton of people doing this down on the beach last summer, theyre a kick to watch!
I see lots of people go by w/surf boards on their rigs. I do believe each and everyone of them wear the wetsuits. Theres a big ole difference between our water temps and those in per say..So.Cal. but...we have less sharks I think.
Another thing I hear people going nutso about is this Kayaking. Criminy, I think about ever 1 out of 3 people around here is a fanatic! Made a friend via this board who moved here from Az, and she and her husband are so into it, theyve already bought their own personal crafts and are out doing this all the time!
I know several people here too, that do sailing. Some are into it big time! Iknow theres a few that do this every weekend PLUS a couple times a week! Sheesh! each to their own. lol They seem to enjoy it! theres a good sized group of kidlings that do this too. My daughter has a little friend who is into it in a big way, getting quite competetive as a team w/her dad, and she just turned 6!!! Of course, the are all into water skiing too. Even my inlaws water ski (the live on a lake though) they take my kids out on those funky donut things behind the boats. Not me man! I dearly love living by the water, i could stare at it all day long, but no way is anyone getting me IN the water! DOnt you people watch JAWS!?!? Revenge of the giant Jellyfish!?!? What Lurks Under The Water?!!? Hungry Hungry Turtles?!?!? LOL
There are a lot of people that go in the rivers and waterholes too. Theres a lot to chose from here in Oregon! lol What you really really have to watch for though, is 1)those days when it hits 95degrees, and people jump in the river thats still running cold w/the snow runoff. not healthy... 2) the drunks, usually the younger crowd, beer+water=drowning
If youre smart about it though, it can make for a wonderful day.
Unless youre like me, then you can just be happy w/sticking just your feet in CLEAR water w/no dark areas nearby where mean hungry things lurk.
Tiffany

Tiffany, you make me laugh! I can understand your view about just enjoying the view! I remember visiting Tahoe and going on the water with a waverunner. It was a blast, but I couldn't get off the waverunner..my hands were frozen to the handles!!! I kid you not! I had to sit there and let the sun thaw out my hands! That water was cold! It was so worth it though!

That's a ton of stuff to do that you listed. Wow, I'd probably be one of those who go gaga over kayaking too. I know others who have as well. LOL

Tif, you sound like you have the perfect spot of a house. Do you live on the river? I bet it's so much fun just siting in your backyard watching the boats go by.