Overview

The Bridge is a kitesurfing spot on the Columbia River in the Gorge, on the Washington side, near the White Salmon bridge. This area is at the heart of the most powerful thermal wind zone in the Gorge, directly across from Hood River (Oregon). The river offers flat water to formed chop with powerful westerly thermal winds. It's one of the most renowned spots in the Gorge for kitesurfing with reliable conditions from June through September.

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Spot forecast for The Bridge / Columbia River

Sunrise 07:29 · Sunset 18:11

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< 7 kn7–12 kn13–20 kn21–30 kn31–40 kn41+ kn Gusts Your minimum: 7 kn

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The Bridge / Columbia River: when to go?

Rideable days and hours computed for a minimum wind of 7 knots · log in to set your own (foil, twin-tip…)

Season · peak

369h

in July · 29 rideable days

The season runs from April to September, peaking in July: 25 rideable days a month and 369 hours of usable wind, at 26 °C. The low point is January, at 5 days.

Rideable days per month

Wind strength when it is rideable

7-12 knots · 77%13-20 knots · 23%

When the spot works, wind sits mostly between 7 and 12 knots — 77% of rideable hours. Big-kite territory. The coldest month is January, at 4 °C. The wettest month is December, with 236 mm.

Monthly averages: The Bridge / Columbia River

Monthly averages — The Bridge / Columbia River — averaged over 2 years of records — Weather data by Open-Meteo.com — How it is calculated
Month	Rideable days	Usable wind	Temperature	Rain
January	5.0	37 h	4 °C	173 mm
February	8.5	51 h	7 °C	94 mm
March	16.5	121 h	13 °C	69 mm
April	21.0	211 h	17 °C	19 mm
May	24.5	299 h	21 °C	20 mm
June	27.0	340 h	26 °C	9 mm
July	29.0	369 h	31 °C	0 mm
August	25.5	282 h	30 °C	2 mm
September	23.0	233 h	28 °C	26 mm
October	14.0	110 h	18 °C	45 mm
November	9.5	54 h	11 °C	115 mm
December	9.0	49 h	8 °C	236 mm

Photo gallery of The Bridge / Columbia River

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Technical details of The Bridge / Columbia River spot

The spot works with winds from SW, WSW, W, WNW.

Rideable Not rideable

Spot opening date · Required level

Spot opening date: Open all year round
Required level: Intermediate

On the water

River riding on the Columbia with cool fresh water (12-18°C/54-64°F in summer). A 3/2 to 4/3mm wetsuit. Flat water to formed chop from powerful thermal winds (20-35 knots common). Moderate to strong current in the channel. Rocky to sandy bottom. Wide riding area allowing good runs.

Hazards

Very powerful thermal winds with gusts that can exceed 35 knots. Columbia current can carry riders downstream. Barge and boat traffic — the Columbia is a major commercial waterway. Submerged rocks. Busy spot — watch for other riders. Bridge proximity — keep safe distance from pillars.

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Hood River Waterfront1.5 kmsource windy

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Additional stations

CW8248 Underwood0.6 km

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Webcams near The Bridge / Columbia River

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Nearby spots

All spots: Washington

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The Bridge / Columbia River kitesurf, wingfoil and windsurf spot