With over 1000 Days of sailing the Gorge, I have the experience to find the best wind and swell conditions for you!
For the last 10 years I have sailed the gorge every day that the wind blew from mid-April through mid-November.In 1996 I founded Gorge Wind Guide Service. Most days I work with advanced sailors, improving their short board sailing.
We focus on stance, balance and jibing as well as jumping and swell riding. When the wind blows hard we work on high wind control and jumping.
When the wind is light I will show you how to use the swell to bring your short board up onto a plane and sail more efficiently.
My experience with dozens of first time Gorge sailors each year allows me to help sailors enjoy their Gorge vacation and reduce the frustration of that first week in the Columbia River Gorge. As I work with my students I focus on teaching an understanding of the basic concepts of sailing. I have found that once a sailor understands what they are trying to do and why they need to make a change in there technique, that the change is much easier to accomplish.
For example:
If you are having trouble waterstarting in overpowered conditions,
I might explain that you are going over the front because you have too much power in your sail as you come out of the water.
I would demonstrate that you cannot sheet out if your front arm is straight because you can't reach far enough with your back hand.
Then I will show you that if your front elbow is bent, you can sheet out as you come out of the water.
If I can teach you to identify the problem (too much power),
you will be much more likely to remember the solution (sheet out),
and be able to apply the proper technique (keep the front elbow bent as you come out of the water).
If I only told you to bend your elbow you would not know why it works or when to do it in the future.
My goal is to teach an understanding of the sport which you will never lose or forget.
