Canadian Weekend Kicks Off The Season – May 23, 2012

Every year the weekend before Memorial Day, our friends from north of the border come to the Gorge to help kick off the summer sailing season.  British Columbia license plates filled the parking lot and streets surrounding the Windance Swap Meet on Sunday morning.  Shop owner Dave Nunn enthusiastically hosts the annual event in the parking lot.    I think it would be a safe bet that the Hood River swaps are the largest and most attended swap meets in the windsurfing world.  Gear was plentiful; from the latest and greatest to the “it should be in a museum”, it was hard not to find a treasure that you just had to have.

The Windance Swap Meet:  A Gorge Institution

The Columbia Gorge Windsurfing Association always participates at the swaps, and if you are looking for the best deal in town just talk to Bud Budworth (the handsome guy with the big smile).  He’s helping Gregory Villain our Facebook friend and Ezzy sailor from British Columbia, search for that something special he just can’t live without.  Gregory and his friends make the trip to the Gorge several times during the summer and are keeping the stoke alive!

A Gorge Icon at the swap meets, Bud Budworth will great you with a smile and the best deal in town.

The wind and weather for the past two weeks had been warm and windy, but unfortunately it turned cool with only light winds for the weekend.  Compared to last spring and early summer which was abnormally cool and wet, this year has a much more normal feel, with some great winds and even a couple of days near 90 last week.  And the spring run off is more normal this year compared to last years’ record high water and strong currents that lasted into July.  I’m predicting a great summer of sailing here in the Gorge.  Today it’s sunny and blowing 25-30 at Dougs Beach with 8 cars in the parking lot.  It’s pretty much locals only this time of year, but we love to share, so come early and stay late!  See ya on the beach, Gary