Yesterday morning we made our way to Cascade Locks, our sailing venue for the week.  We arrived to the Columbia Gorge Racing Association  (http://www.cgra.org/) and started the rigging process.  We had packed the 29er inside the Sprinter van using a clever zip line system for the bow.  When we  backed the boat out of the van one of us just held the tension on a bow line that was connected to the zip line as the other pull the boat out.  It was very easy and a much more desirable way to drive up here rather then pulling a trailer.

We went out for two sailing sessions yesterday.  The first session was in a wind range of 15 to 20.  That turned out to be our light-air training for the day.  A few hours later we went out in over 25kts.  Suffice to say, we flipped more then a few times.  I was humbled by the group of 5 little girls who arrived to the CGRA for their sailing class.  They rolled their optis out rigged them up, and they were off - in 25+kts.  They sailed all over the place and stayed out for hours!  It was a very cool sight! 

Sailing the 29er here is going to be challenging, that’s for sure.  But I am looking forward to the fun and challenge of the experience.  Unlike the San Francisco City Front where the temperatures can be cold and brutal for small boats, the conditions here are like summer camp.  The water temperature is about 75+ degrees and in yesterday’s heat, which exceeded 100 degrees, the splash (and swimming) felt great!  After returning to the shore and putting the boat on its dolly, I jumped back in the water to cool off.

We were treated to the spectacle of watching a moth sail in yesterday’s conditions.  “Doogie”, a professional sailor who lives here in the Gorge had a brand new boat.  I have to say that watching him effortlessly sail off the beach was amazing.  He literally flew away - foiling above the water’s surface.  When he returned he told us he had reached a new top speed - 25.5 kts.... 

Following sailing we drove into Hood River which is about 15 miles east of Cascade Locks.  We found our way down to the shore where the kites and board launch from.  It was quite a scene with 100’s of people and their families and dogs.  The kites launch from a sand bar just to the west of Hood River Bridge while the wind-surfers launch from the huge lawn that reaches down to the shore.  It was great to see such vitality and enthusiasm for these sports.  That commitment carries on to the town where there is a kiting gear and apparel store on every block.  This is obviously the place where it’s all happening for these sports and people are participating in mass.  The town of Hood River is well manicured and developed but has maintained an historic charm.

Today we are at it again.  We start with boat work and then hit the water shortly after.  Today we are hooking up with a skiff clinic that is being put on by the Columbia Gorge Racing Association.  Stay tuned for more info.