Hi Everyone!
Road bikers, motorcyclists (Ben D) and golfers (Tim and Janice) are going to take the brunt of mother nature's fury again today as west winds continue blasting their way through the Gorge Wind Funnel. This windy streak is bordering on ridiculous; all the kiteboarders and windsurfers are clearing out the town's ibuprofen supply. Team Advil's going to have to shop in The Dalles for their stash.
As you may have guessed, the westerlies will ruffle your feathers again today. A solid marine push overnight started us off with low to mid twenties in the corridor. Depending on where the cloud line ends up, either Doug's or the Hatchery could be the strong spot today. By afternoon, Doug's and the Wall will be blowing in the 28-32 range. I'm really hoping these clouds burn back for the epic Hatch session. With high pressure off the coast, a heat low in the desert and no pernicious weather influences, winds will be less gusty than yesterday.
Best corridor wind yesterday, by the way, was off Wells Island, where it was blowing solid 4.2. Don't make the mistake I did and try to get back to the hook around the south side of the island. The current is ripping there right now. I thought I was going to have to abort the mission and swim back in the other way.
If you're a kiter looking for less wind, I heard a rumor that Bingen is the new kite mecca. There's a long lawn for stringing lines and a beautiful, glassy inside area for high-speed carving and throwing big airs. I wouldn't be pushing this, but I heard of another close call involving an upwind kiter and a downwind windsurfer at the Hatch on Sunday. And believe me, I'm not anti-kiting. Kiting is cool and fun and looks beautiful. But kiters, you're scaring the s*$t out of the windsurfers at the Hatchery. Negative vibes don't go well with fun sports; we don't want anyone unhappy (that means windsurfers or kiters) on the water. I'm proposing we work out some sort of compromise. I'm open to any and all suggestions... please post them at the blog so others can see them and respond. If you post, please put your name down. Anonymous posts will be deleted: Post at the bottom of today's forecast.
Wednesday continues the windy streak. A weaker morning marine push still throws enough juice into the wind tunnel wind generator to give light dawn patrol and a midday mid-twenties blast. We may even see winds climb into the upper twenties again. Thursday and Friday continue the windy run.
If your hands and feet hurt and your muscles are sore, raise your hand (if you can).
Have a great day on the water!