Windsurf Lessons

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With everything you need to help you learn from the beginning or to improve your current skills, Vela and Big Winds will have just the right program for everyone in your group. A huge selection of high-performance rental and demo equipment, an outstanding Kids Camp, specialized clinics, and the most knowledgeable staff around, you can trust us to help you get to where you want to be with your sailing.

QUICK LINKS: Local Guided Day-Trips / Beginner Lessons / Intermediate Lessons / Private Lessons / Specialized Clinics / Kids Camps

LOCAL GUIDED DAY-TRIPS AROUND THE GORGE

Advanced sailors looking to enhance their experience in the Gorge won't want to miss our Guided Day Trips each week to try out those great spots you've always heard of, but never actually sailed. Experience The Hatch, Doug's, Rosevelt, Celilo, or The Wall with a group of like-minded adventuring sailors with the comfort of local knowledge and coaching from a guide who will accompany you on the session.

Plan for a full-day excursion starting with a meeting at the Big Winds shop between 9 and 10 AM. From there, your guide will discuss the day's trip and pick a spot to go to, factoring in the group's average ability level and the current wind forecast throughout the Gorge. From there, participants will stock up on gear for the day and carpool to the spot and get ready to rip!

Make sure to arrive in the morning with a full breakfast in your belly plus a picnic lunch, snacks, and water prepared as there may be limited services where you are going.

Cost is $195 per person in a group of at least 3 participants. If you prefer a more intimate group, a Semi-Private trip can be scheduled for $275 per person. For more information on this program or for a customized package please contact us.

Beginner Lessons

Get up and get started with the three-lesson beginner program, which will introduce all of the skills you will need to progress to an intermediate level. Introducing all of the skills you need to progress to an intermediate level. These 2-hour group lessons are all-inclusive, and come with an hour of practice time immediately following the lesson.

Level I: Intro to Windsurfing
This class is a recipe for instant success! If you have never taken a lesson before or want to review your basic skills, this is the class for you! You will be on the water in no time, learning sailing stance, steering, and basic turning.

Level II: Building Skills
This class refines the stance, steering, and turning skills you learned in Level One. You will learn fast tacks, and your instructor may introduce the use of a harness. This is a fun class to build your new skills!

Level III: Fine-Tuning
Move closer to shortboard sailing with this class designed to solidify your basic skills. You will practice pivot jibes and polish your fast tacks, while exploring foot steering and using a harness.

Cost: You can take each lesson individually ($65 each) or combine all 3 in our Learn to Windsurf Package ($180).

And don't worry: if you sign up for this package you aren't expected to take all three lessons in the same day! We encourage you to spread them out over a couple days, or over a long weekend. Plus, if you signed up for individual lessons, you can upgrade to the Learn to Windsurf Package at any time.

Intermediate Lessons

Our Intermediate Lessons focus on teaching you how to waterstart, a skill that once mastered will unlock sailing locations across the entire Gorge! Each group lesson is 2 hours long and includes the use of our performance rental equipment during the lesson, plus an additional hour of practice immediately following the lesson.

Cost: $85 each or purchase 2 lessons as a package for only $160.

Private Lessons

You and your expert instructor will plan an individualized curriculum based on your current windsurfing abilities and goals. Whether you're just getting started with the sport, or working on your loops, a private lesson could be just the boost your skills need! Whether you are just starting with windsurfing or are working on your loops, our expert instructors can tailor a lesson to your needs. What you learn is up to you; the possibilities are endless! Individualized instruction with one of our experienced instructors will accelerate your sailing to the next level.

Cost: $175 one or two people with 2 hours of instruction time. Reservations required.

Specialized Clinics

FREESTYLE CLINICS WITH TYSON POOR

Led by professional windsurfer and instructor Tyson Poor, our freestyle clinics are a killer way to learn that ‘move’ that has been eluding you! Whether you're just getting started with freestyle or working on perfecting a big aerial, the Big Winds Freestyle Clinic can help you get to that next level.

Our clinics are designed for sailors that are able to jibe a short board consistently in light wind and in high wind. Tyson and his team of instructors will cover a variety of skills including, jumping, freestyle moves, loops, wave sailing and more. Wrap up the day on Saturday with a complimentary wine and beer social at Big Winds and brag about the sweet moves you learned that day.

The location of these clinics will depend on daily wind conditions, but wherever you’re sailing, you will get first-rate instruction and an unforgettable experience.

Schedule: TBA. All clinics meet at 8:30 at Big Winds and run until 4:00 each afternoon.

Cost: 2 days, $250 (does not include equipment) Space is limited, so call soon!

INTERMEDIATE CLINICS

If you want to take your windsurfing to the next level than this clinic will get you there! These 2 day clinics place a strong emphasis on instruction in a small group environment stressing the fundamentals of windsurfing necessary to master a wide variety of skills. Lead by our full time professional instructors, you will receive expert coaching designed meet your sailing needs. Designed for sailors who already have a bombproof water start and are looking to develop other aspects of their sailing. The instructors will cover a variety of skills including stance, harness and foot straps, jibing, and high wind sailing skills. Participate in a clinic if:

You want to improve your harness technique
You want to increase your jibe completion percentage
You want to get in the straps and onto a plane more quickly
You want to sail more efficiently in lighter winds
You want to sail faster
You want to improve your wave riding

Each clinic is comprised of two full days on the water. In the morning you will meet the instructors for coffee and bagels at the Big Winds shop (8:30 am) to see where the best place for wind is that day. Once the sailing site has been established the group will carpool/caravan to the sailing location. Bring your lunch pail as you will be spending the whole day at the beach. With all day instruction you will receive rigging and sail tuning tips along with the opportunity to try some great new demo gear from Big Winds if you so desire

Schedule: TBA

Cost: 2 days, TBA (does not include equipment) Space is limited, so call soon!

WOMEN'S CLINICS

Come join us for a day of playing around on the water with just the girls! These clinics, lead by long time instructor Heidi Chapel, will change your sailing for ever and give you the opportunity to meet some new friends to sail with. Whether you are looking to learn how to jibe, jump or just get into the footstraps and harness these clinics will be a great starting point to take your sailing to the next level. With a small instructor to student ratio you will be guaranteed to receive individualized attention and instruction as you move at the pace that best suits you. With all day instruction you will receive rigging and sail tuning tips along with the opportunity to try some great new demo gear from Big Winds if you so desire.

Each clinic is comprised of two full days on the water. In the morning you will meet the instructors for coffee and bagels at the Big Winds shop (8:30 am) to see where the best place for wind is that day. The sailing locations used most for the women's clinics are the Event Site, Rowena or Viento because they offer easy beach access and a good variety of sailing conditions for the intermediate to advanced sailor. Once the sailing site has been established the group will carpool/caravan to the sailing location. Bring your lunch pail as you will be spending the whole day at the beach. Then at the end of your first day, take the time to share all your fun stories and what you learned as you receive complimentary wine and cheese supplied by Big Winds.

These clinics are a great way to improve your skills while having fun with the girls. Whether you are looking to cross the river for the first time or wanting to learn how to rip up the swell you can advance your skill level in this two day clinic. The only requirement to join in on the fun is to have a bombproof water start. If you do let us show you the rest!

Schedule: TBA

Cost: 2 days, TBA (does not include equipment) Space is limited, so call soon!

Kids Camps

"What? My kids can sail in THE GORGE?!?!" Yes, absolutely! Our Kids Camp by Big Winds is a 4-day program that is ideal for introducing kids to windsurfing in a fun and encouraging camp setting. Our camp is specially designed for children ages 7 to 13 and takes place at our private beach inside the Hook, a windy yet protected lagoon right here in Hood River.These camps will fill up quickly, so sign up soon!

Beginners and Intermediates

Our instructors have developed a fun and positive environment for teaching kids how to windsurf. We use the latest specialized, lightweight gear to guarantee success. The camp teaches all skill-levels, including basic sailing, harness use, footstraps and waterstarting. Big Winds Kids Camp is a blast!

Children must be at least 7 years of age, enjoy being in the water and be able to swim a minimum of twenty feet.

Schedule: Camp runs Monday through Thursday, every week from June 20 - August 18, 2011. Choose from either a morning 10:00-1:00 or an afternoon 2:00-5:00 session. Kids will be provided with all equipment, life vest, wetsuit, helmet, snacks, and a souvenir t-shirt.

Cost: $240 for 4 days

Advanced Junior Camp

Our Advanced Junior Camps are designed for kids at least 10 years old who have a significant windsurfing background already. The focus of these camps is on waterstarting and higher wind techniques such as harness use, footstrap use, and jibing. All equipment is included and these camps take place on the outside of the Hook in deeper, more open water.

Are you ready for this camp? You must be 10 years or older, a strong swimmer, and an experienced windsurfer (are waterstarting or are close to it, and have experience using a harness).

Schedule: June 27-30, July 4-7, July 11-14, July 25-28, and August 1-4. All camps run in the afternoon from 2:00 - 5:00

Cost: $265 for 4 days