Columbia River / Hood River Sandbar, Oregon (USA)

Spring: March to May, light winds 12-20, somewhat finicky. Summer: June to early September, windy, 15-35, pretty solid. Fall: September to October, light to moderate winds, but very steady: 13-25. The wind is usually gusty, sideshore. Go upwind for stronger and less gusty wind. It's all about the Westerlies, Easterlies usually don't find their way to Hood River (and it's usually too damn cold by then anyway).

Weather in the summer can be 90+°F with water temperatures warm enough for board shorts only in July and August. Shorties come in for June and September. Full wetsuits the rest of the year. Winters are not really kite-able here, with the bitter, blustering Easterly winds bringing snow, hail, and rain.

The Columbia River, which cuts through the Columbia River Gorge to the Pacific Ocean. The Hood River mouth meets the Columbia River here at the Sandbar. Best from May to September, the The mouth of the Hood River is a wonderful smooth-like-butter riding spot if you are advanced enough to fight for the narrow space with the pros in the summertime. The water is shallow out to the channel, which is clearly noticeable by the dark water line. The channel on the north side of the river can be choppy, but can also have good swell. Wind in the sandbar area can be gusty. The current pushes you upwind on a westerly (W, SW, or NW), making it easy upwind-riding. The farther upwind (west) you go, the cleaner the wind, especially by the White Salmon Bridge on the north side of the river.