Hood River: The Downwind Foiling Adventure
25.11.2025
Foiling the Gorge with the Appletree Crew
Located in the Columbia River Gorge on the border between Oregon and Washington, Hood River has become a favorite destination for foilers from around the world. With steady wind, strong current, and plenty of easy access points, it’s one of the best places to experience true downwind conditions surrounded by stunning scenery.
This past summer, by chance, several Appletree riders found themselves in (or around) Hood River. They seized the opportunity to turn it into a team trip, heading out together on the water at one of the world’s most iconic downwind spots. To make it even better, photographer and friend Caleb was able to join and capture the whole adventure.
Coming together from Europe and across the U.S. created its own kind of energy. With every mile traveled, the anticipation grew. By the time the team finally reached the spot, they were more than ready to hit the water.
And the Gorge delivered. Solid wind, lined-up bumps, and the kind of runs you dream about. Long glides, smooth connections, a few wipeouts, plenty of laughs. The perfect reminder of why we’re hooked on this sport!
Boards that can handle the shuttles
With countless put-in spots and take-outs along the river, the logistics of shuttling in Hood River are about as easy as it gets. But easy logistics don’t mean it’s easy on your gear.
Downwind runs involve constant loading and unloading, with everyone tossing their boards into the back of trucks. Scratches, dents, even breakages quickly become part of the game. And if you can’t push your equipment to the limit, you can’t push your body to the limit either. Many Appletree riders are known for riding their boards hard — which makes durability all the more important.
That’s why having a board that’s nearly indestructible isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s essential. After all, imagine traveling all the way to Hood River only to damage your board on the very first run.
Appletree boards are built with 50K closed-cell foam, making them completely waterproof. Even if you ding one in the middle of a session, you can keep riding without worrying about water damage.
Bringing the right gear
Because of the unique convergence of wind, current, and accessibility, there’s hardly a better place to learn the art of downwinding than the Gorge. And with a downwind board, a midlength, a wing, or a parawing in your quiver, you’ve got everything you need to experience the Gorge in different ways throughout the day. With a parawing as backup, riders of different skill levels are able to learn to paddle safely and join the downwind runs.
The Gorge delivered everything in a single day: surrounded by stunning scenery, chasing bumps, and sharing sessions with friends. Sending the crew home with tired legs, big smiles, and that familiar feeling: already dreaming about the next trip.
