Windsurfers cannot resist legends. And, when it comes to wind, the Columbia Gorge in the Pacific Northwest of the United States has been generating legendary tales nearly since windsurfing began.
Why? The massive canyon that cuts through the Cascade Mountains creates a wind tunnel that sucks hot air from the inland desert to the cool ocean. At a small town called Hood River, the cliffs come the closest together. This results in a venturi where winds rip through at speeds up to 40 mph and the flow of the Columbia River against the wind spawns galactic waves. The result? Perfect conditions for world-class windsurfing and kiteboarding. Experts catapult off white-capped waves into high, whirling jumps.
Combine this with the rugged natural beauty of the Cascade temperate forest and hot summers and you have the makings of a legend.
Why? The massive canyon that cuts through the Cascade Mountains creates a wind tunnel that sucks hot air from the inland desert to the cool ocean. At a small town called Hood River, the cliffs come the closest together. This results in a venturi where winds rip through at speeds up to 40 mph and the flow of the Columbia River against the wind spawns galactic waves. The result? Perfect conditions for world-class windsurfing and kiteboarding. Experts catapult off white-capped waves into high, whirling jumps.
Combine this with the rugged natural beauty of the Cascade temperate forest and hot summers and you have the makings of a legend.
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