Hood River Tips and Facts

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ARE YOU READY FOR A VACATION IN HOOD RIVER?

BELOW ARE LOADS OF DETAILS THAT YOU'LL WANT TO KNOW IN ORDER TO HELP MAKE FOR A SMOOTH VACATION EXPERIENCE. MAIN TOPICS INCLUDE:

WHAT TO BRING
GENERAL INFO
AIRPORT TAXI/TRANSFER SERVICE
HOTEL CHECK-IN/CHECK-OUT
VELA HOOD RIVER @ BIG WINDS
WINDSURF LESSONS
KITESURF LESSONS
BEFORE RETURNING HOME

WHAT TO BRING

It's always nice to pack light, but there are a few things we don't want you to forget. Due to the possibility of lost luggage we recommend that you carry-on important items whenever possible, we recommend that you carry-on important items whenever possible.

- Unless you aren't from the US, leave you passport at home!
- A printout of your email invoice confirming full payment and this Tips & Facts webpage.
- Harness, lycra, dry, full or shorty wetsuit (check with us on conditions during your travel period) booties, gloves.
- Sunglasses and chums, a visor or hat.
- High SPF (25+) waterproof sunscreen lotion (oil makes board slippery)
- PFD and/or helmet (if desired)
- Sweater or a light jacket / windbreaker just in case.
- Slacks for dining out in restaurants (most are casual, though you could have a night on the town...)
- Extra spending money (see "Currency/credit cards" below)
- Paperback books for flights and evenings (Our staff appreciates current newspapers / magazines - especially windsport related!)
- Ear Plugs, a good idea if you are a light sleeper and if you're practicing those forward loops!
- Aspirin or Ibuprofen for muscle aches
- Medical tape for tired hands.

What we have:
Our partner-center at Big Winds has a huge selection of gloves, hats, caps, booties, harnesses, sunglasses, sunscreen, wetsuits, lycra tops and shorts, plus windsurf and kitesurf gear. For each pre-booked rental you are invited to use our stand-up paddle boards during open hours, great in the morning or on a light-wind day.

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GENERAL INFO

Location:
Hood River, Oregon is in the Northwest of the US, about an hour's drive from Portland, right in the heart of the Columbia River National Scenic Area and on the southbank of the Columbia River, a natural border separating most of Oregon State and Washington State, and playground to wind-sports enthusiasts for decades.

Language:
English. Some instructors will have a varying grasp of foreign languages (Spanish, French, and German)

Weather:
Summertime in the Gorge is so BEAUTIFUL that most of us locals find it hard to leave town anytime between mid-May and mid-September. Sure, this is the Northwest and we sometimes will get some rain, but typically the micro-climate in Hood River - just a short ways east of the Cascade range - will have dry and warm days somewhere in the high 70's to low 90's. Evenings are often warm enough to leave the sandals and shorts on, though some nights call for a light sweater and jeans.

Water:
Delicious!

Currency/credit cards:
Everything you can think of inlcuding cash, ATM machines, and credit cards. Traveler cheques might be the only less convenient option as you'll need to stop into a local bank first to turn them into cash, but still a totally acceptable wayto bring your traveling money.

Electrical voltage:
110 volt.

Email / Phone Services:
COMING SOON!

Meals:
COMING SOON!

Other Activities available:
COMING SOON!

Tipping:
Typical US practices are the norm, anywhere between 10%-20% for service that you feel deserves it.
 

Emergencies:
Should an emergency necessitate an early return home, we will do all we can to get refunds for you. Standard hotel cancellation fees usually exceed any unused balance, but hotels are quite often understanding of emergencies. To assist us in this you must get written verification of check-out date from your hotel front desk and also from the windsurf staff.

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CAR RENTALS FROM THE AIRPORT

Airport Arrival:
COMING SOON!

Car Rentals:
COMING SOON!
 

Transportation during your vacation:
COMING SOON!

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HOTEL CHECK-IN / CHECK-OUT

Hotel Check-In:
The normal check-in time is at 3:00PM for all properties, although we can request early check-in if available. Vouchers are not required for check-in. Simply arrive at the front desk and give the agent the last name of the person who made the reservation. If there are any questions, please show them the email invoice that you should print and take with you. NOTE: If you are arriving after 9:00 PM, you must call us with your arrival information immediately and no later than one week prior to arrival at 800-223-5443 / 541-387-0431 (unless you have already given us this information). The hotel's front desk may be closed after 9:00 pm unless Vela is able to notify them of your late arrival.

Hotel Check-Out:
Check out time is normally around 10:00 for all properties. Make certain to go over your final bill carefully. Personal charges such as bar tabs, laundry, telephone calls, and such are your responsibility. DO NOT let the hotel charge you any tax or service fees on accommodations prepaid by Vela. We always prepay tax and service charges for you. Should an emergency necessitate an early return home, we will do all we can to get refunds for you. Standard hotel cancellation fees usually exceed any unused balance, but hotels are quite often understanding of emergencies. To assist us in this you must get written verification of check-out date from your hotel front desk and also from the windsurf staff. Important note: If you have an early flight, make arrangements for a taxi to the airport the day before your departure and leave plenty of time to get to the airport. If you are leaving on a late flight, sometimes there is a courtesy room available for storing luggage and taking a shower.

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VELA HOOD RIVER @ BIG WINDS

Getting To Vela Hood River at Big Winds:
COMING SOON!

Checking In To Get Started:
COMING SOON!

Windsurf Equipment:
COMING SOON!.

Getting On The Water:
All procedures and safety concerns will be explained during the orientation. Please note that equipment fee is per person and not transferable.

Getting Your Gear:
COMING SOON!

Sailing Conditions and Safety:
COMING SOON!

Rig Adjustments:
Since you will be rigging your gear all around the different spots throughout the Gorge, you can dial things in exactly as you want them. If you are uncertain about anything, make sure to check with the center staff in advance. If sailing from the Event Site, stop by the Beach Shack for help making any adjustsments you are unsure of.

Damage to equipment:
You will be asked to leave a credit card as deposit when you take out equipment. Once you sign out a board and sail, it is your responsibility to return it in the same condition! To minimize the possibility of damage, please choose equipment that suits your ability level and conditions, and handle equipment carefully when launching and coming in to shore. Items that need replacing such as fins, sails or mast will be charged at cost plus 10% for parts and labor. For items that can be repaired, standard charges will apply. This must be paid directly to the center in full upon return of the damaged equipment. If you purchased travel insurance through Vela, you can claim any charges ($1,000 coverage limit, less a $100 deductible) for equipment damage or loss upon your return.

On-Site / Walk-Up Rentals:
If you have not paid for equipment as part of your vacation, note that rentals will only be available after the staff is satisfied that all pre-paid guests have had their first choice and will be at a higher rate.

Gear Storage: 
There is no storage at the center, but you will likely have space at your guest house or worst-case on the racks of your car.

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VELA HOOD RIVER WINDSURF LESSONS

Lesson Program:
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. For more information on this program please contact us.

Guided-Of-The-Gorge Days:
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. For more information on this program please contact us.

Group 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.

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.

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DARE2FLY HOOD RIVER KITESURF SCHOOL

Kitesurfing Lessons:
COMING SOON!

Kitesurfing Equipment:
COMING SOON!

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BEFORE RETURNING HOME

Make sure to say goodbye to our staff before you go. Check to see if you have left anything at the center or if you have taken care of your final tab for additional services you may have purchased. If you have had some bad luck in the wind department, make sure to get you No Wind Claim Form before you go, and we hope that you have still had a great vacation overall in spite of Mother Nature!

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READY TO GO? ARE YOU SURE? PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOU HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS BEFORE YOU DEPART. HAVE A GREAT TRIP AND DON'T FORGET TO WRITE!