Level: Intermediate, Expert
Type: River
Water type: Chop, Small wave
Water hazards: Ships
Water quality: Cloudy
Infos: Chop and small waves.
Beach type & size: Sand - Small
Infos: Very long, sandy beach, about 120ft wide. Look out for driftwood.
Identified hazards: Concrete, Other
Beachgoer: None
Weather specificities: Warm water from late May until September/October. Full wetsuit 3-4mm from October to late May. Shorties in the summer months. Possible all year.
Wind type: Thermal
Best months: May, June, July, August, September
Access description: by Car - From Portland drive northwest on 30 towards Saint Helens. Turn off to Sauvie Island. By a pass if you have none. After you crossed the bridge the street curves left, after the curve turn left onto NW Gillihan Road and follow the street for a while. Once the street ends and you can go only left or right, turn right. This is the NW Reeder Road. Follow it for about 6 miles. Then you will find a parking to the left. Park here, and walk to the beach.
Accommodations: Food, Parking
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Level: Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean
Water type: Small wave, Medium wave
Water hazards: Swimmers, Currents
Beach type & size: Rocks - Big
Identified hazards: Rocks
Beachgoer: June, July, August, September, October
Weather specificities: The water temperature is around 4-6C in the mid-summer.
Wind type: Frontal
Wind specificities: Do not ride here with offshore winds.
Best months: June, July, August, September, October
Access description: by Car -
Specific rules: None
Nightlife: Go to Rimouski and you will have all what you need.
Accommodations: Rooms, Camping, Rescue, Toilet, Food, Parking
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Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean
Water type: Shallow, Flat, Chop, Small wave
Water hazards: Shells
Water quality: Clean
Infos: Excellent flat water.
Beach type & size: Grass, Sand - Medium
Identified hazards: None
Beachgoer: May, June, July, August, September, October
Wind type: Thermal, Frontal
Wind specificities: The wind blows a bit stronger here due to a channel effect.
Best months: May, June, July, August, September, October
Access description: by Car - Drive onto Ile Lameque and follow signs to Petite-Lameque.
Specific rules: None
Accommodations: Rooms, Camping, School, Shop, Repair, Rental, Rescue, Shower, Toilet, Food, Parking
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Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Expert
Type: River
Water type: Flat, Chop
Water hazards: Currents, Ships, Stakes
Water quality: Cloudy
Infos: Columbia River. Pretty flat on the sides, big chop in the middle. Watch for shipping traffic (lots of it through here.) Current pushes you upwind on dominant wind direction (NW). River runs SE to NW. Trojan nuclear reactor (shutdown now) is about 2 miles up river. Flat and choppy. Not too much swell or big chop.
Beach type & size: Sand - Small
Infos: Half mile of sandy beach, few obstacles. Not very wide. Watch for fisherman/kids playing. Parking right next to beach. Sand is less dusty/dirty than Jones, and no vehicles on the beach.
Identified hazards: None
Beachgoer: July, August
Weather specificities: Usually not as warm as Portland, but not as cold as the coast either. Check St. Helens temps.
Wind type: Thermal
Wind specificities: This spot benefits from some of the strong west winds that Jones Beach gets, but its a little closer to Portland than Jones (by about a half hour). It also benefits from the North wind that Sauvies Island gets, in the afternoons in the summer this is what fills in and makes the place solid. The winds are stronger than Sauvies, but also gustier. I've been powered on a 12m here when Sauvies was still flat. Good any time NW wind is blowing. Check NW Weather forecast for Jones. You can also check the Scappoose sensor to see how strong the North wind is. The wind usually starts at 3pm and goes till 8 or 9pm. You can usually count on wind if there is a 10 temp difference between Astoria and Portland.
Best months: May, June, July, August, September
Access description: by Car - On highway 30, about 1 hour west of Portland. Look for sign that says Prescott Beach (will be on the right if coming from Portland.) From Portland go down Highway 30 past St Helens and Goble, you will see the Trojan reactor, that means your getting close.
Specific rules: Fees
Extra: $2.00 day use fee. Don't upset the fisherman, they were here before us! The guy who runs the place is real nice and we'd like to keep him happy with the kiter crowd.
Accommodations: Toilet, Parking
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Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Expert
Type: Lake
Water type: Shallow, Flat, Chop, Small wave
Infos: On N, NW winds the water is choppy and smooth on NE, ENE and E winds.
Beach type & size: Sand - Medium
Infos: It is a fairly big beach length and width wise. The sandy beach has some broken glass so care should be taken for your gear and feet.
Identified hazards: Other
Beachgoer: July, August
Weather specificities: Water temp. in summer is around 65F and fall season (October and November) is around 50F.
Wind type: Thermal
Wind specificities: The beach is good for wind directions that are: N, NW, NE, ENE and SE winds. The Chicago winds are lake effect thermal winds which are more difficult to predict vs. trade winds. They are also gustier and change direction instantaneously. Kiters and windsurfers will normally be out when the winds are blowing 10-20 knots. Chicago winds are also more dense making them stronger then warm winds. Summer is generally offshore due to SW/W winds. Fall/spring is generally on/sideonshore and winds are 10-20 knots in average. About 2-3 riding days every 10 days.
Best months: March, April, May, September, October, November
Access description: by Car - Head towards downtown Chicago. Head east towards the lake. The Lake side highway is called Lake Shore drive (LSD). Head towards the north side of the city using LSD and exit Montrose Ave. Head east until you hit the beach. There will be a big flag pole which will give you and idea of the wind direction. Approx. just under 20 miles from both airports.
Specific rules: License
Extra: New rules for kitesurfers (test phase): 1. Only PASA or IKO Level II (Intermediate) Certified Kiteboarders will be allowed to kite at Montrose Beach. This prohibits teaching kiteboarding or flying `traction` kites with students on Montrose Beach. 2. All Kiteboarders will follow generally accepted Kiteboarding Safety Practices and use attached Kite Safety Leashes. (No grab handles) 100 Foot Safety Zone from Occupied Beaches, Piers, and other Facilities while riding. 3. Kiteboarding allowed when bathing areas are closed. 4. Kiteboarding may be allowed by the Captain of the Guards at other times. This will apply if the Test Plan is approved.
Accommodations: Shower, Toilet, Food
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Level: Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean
Water type: Medium wave
Water hazards: Animals
Water quality: Clean
Beach type & size: Sand - Small
Identified hazards: None
Beachgoer: None
Wind type: Thermal
Best months: May, June, July, August, September
Access description: by Car -
Specific rules: None
Accommodations: Toilet, Parking
View spot
Level: Intermediate, Expert
Type: Lake
Water type: Shallow, Flat, Chop
Water quality: Cloudy
Beach type & size: Grass, Rocks - Small
Identified hazards: Rocks, Stones, Trees, Road
Wind type: Frontal
Best months: January, February, March, April, May, September, October, November, December
Access description: by Car -
Specific rules: Zones
Extra: .
Accommodations: Shop, Repair
View spot
Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Expert
Type: Lake
Water type: Shallow, Flat, Chop
Water hazards: Swimmers, Ships
Water quality: Clean
Beach type & size: Sand - Small
Identified hazards: Bystanders
Beachgoer: June, July, August
Wind type: Frontal
Access description: by Car -
Accommodations: Rescue, Shower, Toilet, Food, Parking
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Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean
Water type: Shallow, Flat, Chop
Water hazards: None
Water quality: Cloudy
Beach type & size: Sand - Tidal
Identified hazards: None
Beachgoer: June, July
Wind type: Frontal
Best months: April, May, September, October
Access description: by Car -
Specific rules: Fees
Extra: Fee for parking at the campground.
Accommodations: Camping, Parking
View spot
Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Expert
Type: River
Water type: Flat, Chop
Water hazards: Ships
Water quality: Cloudy
Infos: Swells are usually fairly smooth and across the river there is a big slick behind a jetty.
Beach type & size: Sand - Big
Infos: Huge and sandy beach. The beach is so large you'll have to hike down to the water. The biggest hazard is the ATVs and the dirt bikes. Look out for driftwood.
Identified hazards: Cars
Weather specificities: Water temps from November to March in the 40'sF. May to July in the 60'sF and summer in the low 70'sF. Air temps from November to February in the 40'sF, March/April and October in the 60'sF, May/June 70'sF, July to September in the 80-90'sF. It's usually like 5 or 10 degrees cooler than Portland.
Wind type: Thermal
Wind specificities: Very gusty wind. Still it's not as bad as Hood River. The best wind is when you get a large temperature difference between the coast and the Gorge. Check for a large temp. gradient between Hood River and Astoria, that's when it starts nuking. Also only go during the westerlies. Early season starts in April or early May and lasts through August. West wind is most common with many windy days. Late season starts in September and goes through November with West and East wind days and more no wind days. The Jones Beach area near Clatskanie gets good wind when the Gorge shuts down. It is an afternoon sailing location so plan on starting in the middle of the afternoon and sailing until dark.
Best months: May, June, July, August
Access description: by Car - Cross the Lewis and Clark Bridge into Oregon and head west. Look for signs to Jones Beach near Woodson after you pass Clatskanie. 1.5 mile off of HWY 30 between Astoria and Longview. Park on the beach with a 4x4.
Specific rules: Other
Extra: Watch out for ship freighters (stay clear of bank fishermen spring and fall).
Nightlife: Go to Portland for good nightlife.
Accommodations: Toilet, Parking
View spot
Level: Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean
Water type: Small wave, Medium wave, Big wave
Water hazards: Rocks
Water quality: Clean
Infos: Waves can get very big.
Beach type & size: Sand - Big
Infos: Wide beach with soft sand, big rocks upwind.
Identified hazards: Rocks
Beachgoer: None
Weather specificities: Cold water the whole year, warm summer, mild winters.
Wind type: Thermal
Wind specificities: Wind can get very strong, accelerated by Cape Sebastian. Best wind during summer months (northerly winds).
Best months: April, May, June, July, August, September, October
Access description: by Car - From Portland drive south on 5. Then get on 101 and until you hit Gold Beach and further south Pistol River.
Specific rules: None
Accommodations: Parking
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