Recreational & Family - Things to do in Portland Oregon

I just move to Portland few months ago. This is going to be my first summer in here. I love the bike path system in Portland and cycling has become my mainstream sport. Beside cycling, I had been doing hang gliding sport for almost 15 years. I started flying hang gliders at 1991. Since then hang gliding has been my primary interest.

I would like to know what other activities you guys are into beside cycling in Porltand?

Anyone in to Windsurfing or Kitesurfing? Actually I'm just thinking of learning either kitesurfing or windsurfing at this stage. Anyone have experience in those water sports?

Thanks for your input.
Rick

There's a lot of kitesurfing and windsurfing going on up the Gorge in Hood River.
Other activities that are big around here that I do are snowboarding/skiing, kayaking, mountainbiking, hiking, wakeboarding, soccer....want to get more into rock climbing, just too much to do. :)

You'll find once the sun comes fully out that people here are generally very active compared to most places.

Hi gonesh9,
Thanks for your reply. Are you a windsurfer? Or Kite surfer? If you are, I would like to ask you or anyone, could you windsurf in the lake or river that near Portland (Willamette River)? I live in the Clackamas area and I don't see a lot of wind sport going on in the near by lake except fishing activities. Am I getting in to a sport I may not be able to enjoy in my immediate area? I would like to go to close by lake sometime after work without having drive to the Gorge or the coast.

Any info in the area will be appreciated. Thanks for the advice in advance!

rickbiker-

I actually worded my response wrong.... I meant to say that windsurfing and kitesurfing are both big in the Gorge, but I actually haven't got into them yet. (Although I'd really like to).
I do all the other activities I mentioned, though. :)

I'm not sure if the Willamette River would be good for either, as I don't see too many people riding it, at least not near downtown south to Sellwood where I live. I'm thinking there probably is some good water riding where the Willamette and Columbia meet, just a few miles North of downtown, and on the Columbia from there. I'm pretty sure I've seen people windsurfing there, and it really isn't that far from town.

Hi gonesh9

I just find out the closer spot for windsurf around Portland is call Sauvie's Island. Must be what you had mention (where the Willamette and Columbia meet).

Portland Oregon would be like to live in paradise compare with Los ANgeles. No traffic, no commute, a lot of tree, bicycle trial everywhere, fresh air all the time and got the best playgrounds in the world. The Columbia River Gorge is a unique and special place . I just learn that the Columbia River gorge is considered by many to be the best place in the world for windsurfing and kiteboarding.

Since I live so close to the world famous windsurf spot, I definitely want to get myself into this sport.

I was just wondering do you go windsurfing during wintertime? If you do, what kind of wet suit you put on in order to avoid hypothermia? 3-2 or 4-3 ?