Anybody live in Portland, OR?

GCSurfer80 · Newbie Joined: 08 Sep 2005 Posts: 31

I may be moving to Portland in the next month or so and just wondering how the wakeboard world is out there. I'm coming from Houston and we have a couple of good lakes and rivers we hit every weekend as possible. So any info weather, lakes/river spots would be appreciated.
Thanks

Tyler T · Posted: May 23, 2006 8:47 am Post subject:

Welcome. Portland is a pretty cool city. I've only been here a few years and have been so busy with going to school and trying to pay for it that I haven't gotten much time on the water the last year or so. Sad

The upper Willamette is a pretty great area though when it's not too crowded. There are several other people on the board in or around Portland that I'm sure will chime in here.

Ian_82 · Addict Joined: 24 Mar 2005 Posts: 803 City: Longview, WA

im not so sure on all the "lakes" and stuff around Portland, or where most people ride at, but i believe the Willamette river seems to be pretty popular. i ride a couple lakes up here (Longview is about 30 minutes north of Portland)

as far as weather, well, youll be pleased with our summers, our winters are mild, rarely snows, but the occasional blanket of white does happen. and we dont get too extreme in the hot/cold departments. its rare to get down to single digits in the winter, and we get our occasional 100 degree day pretty much each summer. however, it is pretty normal to get a week or so at a time in the 90's each year. last summer we had a good week and a half of 80-90 degree weather.

one thing you will notice around here in the summer as opposed to houston, is when its Hot, it isnt a sticky heat. and when it does decide to cool off, we dont get tornadoes, and HUGE thunderstorms. we simply get a west wind which blows cool air in off the ocean.

just keep an eye on the weather and youll be fine. since the weather here can change pretty fast.

there are quite a few guys on here from the portland area, and a few up north around seattle and bellingham, and down south around eugene. Eastern WA has some great lakes in the "desert" area of the state, and im sure eastern oregon has some decent lakes too.

one thing about up here... you can take up surfing and snowboarding, along with the wakeboarding and never be more than an hour away from riding a board. well the ocean might be a bit longer of a drive than an hour but you get the idea.

joedirt00 · Posted: May 23, 2006 8:50 am Post subject:

Portland sucks, stay away, there is nothing to see or do up there. That is the last place you want to move. Rolling Eyes

Ian_82 · Addict Joined: 24 Mar 2005 Posts: 803 City: Longview, WA

GCSurfer80 · Newbie Joined: 08 Sep 2005 Posts: 31

Awesome, thanks for the info, this is excatly what I am looking for. Ian sounds like you have been to Houston before. The humidty is killer out here, but you get use to it. Joe, I never have thought about moving to Portland till I recently got a job offer there that is to good to pass up. It's still pending so I'll see what happens.

If anyone else has anything they want to add, please go ahead.

Tyler T · Posted: May 23, 2006 11:28 am Post subject:

Just bring a boat so you can give me a pull this summer. Wink

GCSurfer80 · Newbie Joined: 08 Sep 2005 Posts: 31

Eric Golsan · Posted: May 23, 2006 3:24 pm Post subject:

Portland area - Willamette River, mostly upper ( above the falls ) some ride out of Willamette Park in downtown Portland.
Also Columbia River is good in some spots.

Eastern Oregon - Cove Pallisades / Billy Chinook or Prineville. Both are lakes.

Salem area - Detroit Lake

You'll find a pretty good sized wake community. Most people looking for 3rds in the spring and fall. You can also hit up Active Water Sports. They have a private lake in Washington where you can ride or get lessons.

Not sure about this year, but Wet Wednesdays are a local wakeboard contest every Wednesdays in Portland. I think it is supposed to be at the Ram resturant in Lake Oswego. Also Phat Tuesdays at Hebb Park on the Willamette. That is put on by BridgeCity Water Sports ( Malibu Dealer ).

And the Pro Tour comes in July at Blue Lake Park.

GCSurfer80 · Newbie Joined: 08 Sep 2005 Posts: 31

Damon · Posted: May 23, 2006 4:36 pm Post subject:

check out wakeboardnorthwest.com ... they keep NW events updated, stuff like NW Sessions and clinics.

Ian_82 · Addict Joined: 24 Mar 2005 Posts: 803 City: Longview, WA

so wet wednesdays isnt at Whosong and Larrys again this year?

wetirish · Criminal Joined: 17 Apr 2003 Posts: 56

Ian 82

Where in Longview do you ride? I am just south of you aways.

I love the guy on your myspace page with the flaming mouth!! Too much!

Ian_82 · Addict Joined: 24 Mar 2005 Posts: 803 City: Longview, WA

we usually ride the columbia river. theres a (usually) wind protected cove across from the Willow Grove boat launch just outside of town thats usually empty. and we have a couple other "spots" that arent more than a couple miles either way.

other than that we go riding a lot up at Mayfield Lake.

joedirt00 · Posted: May 24, 2006 3:05 pm Post subject:

Tracktor · Posted: May 24, 2006 3:20 pm Post subject:

More places-
Merwin
Yale
Swift
Lewis River

North-
Mayfield
Riffe

South-
Green Peter
Foster

East-
Prineville res.
Cultus Lake

There are many more smaller places..........