The Columbia River Gorge - The Location For Water Sports You May Not Know About

Bondai Beach, Waikiki, the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon; do you know what they all have in common? All three locations offer some of the best water sports action in the world.

Although when you think of great water sports destinations Oregon may not be the first place that you consider, but it certainly merits such. In Oregon you will find the majestic Columbia River Gorge, a winding landscape that stretches for almost 80 miles and creates a physical border between Oregon and its neighbor, Washington. The winding Columbia River Highway provides the most spectacular drive for motorists, and avid motorcyclists make the trip from all over the country to ride along it.

But for those who would rather be on the river than simply admire it the Columbia River Gorge hosts all manner of great water sports activities. Whether you prefer a gentle row boat trip along calm waters or a hurtling ride through the wild white waters, you can indulge your desires all along the Gorge and on its surrounding waters.

Canoeing and kayaking are very popular pursuits all along the Columbia River Gorge, with guided trips available that range from quietly bobbing along calm backwaters to the thrill of crashing down through some of the best whitewaters and rapids to be found in the country, meaning that there is something for everyone, whatever their courage level.

For those whose sporting tastes run more along the lines of the X games than the Olympics the fact that the Columbia River Gorge is a kite surfing Mecca should be of great interest. Kite surfing - which can be best described as the product of Bart Simpson's wildest dreams - relies a great deal upon the direction of the winds, and the conditions in the Columbia River Gorge are considered to be almost perfect by enthusiasts, an opinion shared by legions of windsurfing enthusiasts in the U.S. who gather in the Gorge annually for the U.S. Windsurfing National Championships every August.

For the fisherman the Columbia River Gorge and its surrounding lakes and ponds is a real playground as well. From walleye to small mouth bass, wilderness lake trout to coho the variation in the fish population is sure to please even the keenest angler. Some of the sturgeons in the Gorge's waters have been known to grow up to ten feet, and catching them can be a real challenge, as they prefer to lurk deep in the waters, as they have for thousands of years.

However, if getting wet is not your idea of the best day out, the Columbia River Gorge is still well worth the trip. Along its path there are unique boutiques and gift shops to peruse and quaint restaurants to explore. Even the simple act of admiring the grandeur of the scenery all around the area is an experience in itself.

For those looking for great water sports action, missing out on the opportunities for aquatic adventure provided by the Columbia River Gorge would be a real mistake. This eighty mile stretch of water has something for everyone.

Lloyd Kessler
Lloyd H. Kessler Inc
http://www.bestlakefrontliving.com