I am moving to Portland from Cali in July. I was wondering what the wakeboarding scene is like up there? I don't have a boat and would be looking for pulls. Helping with gas of course!!! Any feedback would help. <BR> Thanks, Jenn

Lots of wakeboarders up here in Portland/Vancouver. I go most of the time up to a couple of lakes north of Vancouver water is clean and smooth couple of the boat dealers put on alot of tournments all summer long. There is Wet Wendesdays and Wakeboard Wars every week. You should have no problem finding a pull.

Yep it rocks up here but you are going to have to get used to colder water for sure. You will need to find some clean smooth parts of the river for those after work session's. But ya Merwin and Yale are nice. Yale is better.

Yale right now is about 72 degrees it's only about a 45 min drive from Vancouver. I won't go in the Columbia water is to rough and can go from semi smooth to rough in a matter of minutes Willamette river which go through middle of Portland can be smooth but is kinda dirty. I would rather go a little farther and be in crystal clear water. You will like it up here lots of cool people to board with.

I go to ridgfield and put into a slew that is 5 minutes from my house and it is always smooth and warm.

I will be living right on the wllamette river. How dirty is it? Can't be worse than the Delta!

You just want to make sure it is above portland or you will be in sewage. If you are above portland their is some good skiing.

The upper Willamette is cleaner than lower, and smoother. If you are living on the Willamette in Portland you are probably minutes from the restaurant Who's Song &amp; Larry's. That is where Wet Wednesdays are held. Guaranteed to meet wakeboarders there. <BR> <BR>Skiing made me board, <BR>Lyle <BR>Chrome Dome Industries

Well as far as how clean the water here in the Willamette. It has been ranked in the top 10 of the most polluted rivers in the USA for sometime now. I have been going in it my whole life and have never really gotten sick from it. If you drink some you may get a sore throat for a couple of days. <BR> Most people are pretty cool out pulling you, if you bring up the fact you have gas money. I usually ride on the Willamette around the West Lynn area and we always seem to find some smooth water, but that will depend on the time of day too. <BR>

That is from portland down though

Moving from California to Oregon.... this boggles my mind

I think you guys are mistaken regarding the cleanness of the Willamette. I saw a show on Oregon Public Broadcasting (which is an extremely liberal local broadcasting group)a couple of weeks ago regarding the river and how clean it was. They said that outside of the rainey (sewer overflow) times, the Willamette is the cleanest urban river in the United States. Also, most of the problems the river has is not from the sewer but from pestisides used on the farms from Eugene to Salem. This would indicate that the river is just as bad above Portland as it is below. The program ended by stating that as long as it hasn't rained hard in the past few days, the river is clean. Just some info I thought I would pass on. <BR> <BR>Thanks <BR>Tyler

Hey Portland area people. I'll be up the July 8-11th. If you have room for a third let me know. <BR> <BR>

Missflygirl. I live in the portland area, in lake oswego. We are always looking for a third, so if you want to ride our boat is your boat.

Thanks, I will be takin' you up on that!

Yellow Dog <BR>I hate to argue but I think you might be talking about the clackamas river. If you pay attention to the so called sewer overflow, it actually happens at several spots along the river from Portland to Newberg. Which occurs at, at least one of those locations once a month. In fact the Oregon Forest and Wildlife has done and doing studies of the pullution of the willamette and the effect its causing on the wildlife. Also not to mention the river flows directly into the Columbia which is also one of the most radio-active rivers in the USA. <BR>

Hey I agree with you guys it sounds like you guys read or investigate way more than me, I just speak of rumor. I appreciate the accurate info. Welcome to portland.

Uh wait we have non argreeing statements here. We need links to accurate info. On the double. hehe I am so excited I think I am buying boat in morning and I cant sleep. The guy that was ahead of me did not put his money down. I will post pics after the deal is complete.

They just said on the news last night not to go in the Willamette do to a sewer overflow and that if you do to shower asap. I will stick to the nice clean lakes in Washington. The extra 20 min drive is well worth it.

What is Wakeboard Wars?

Jason, <BR> <BR> Do you guys go during the week?

Jared, <BR> <BR>The show I saw was not on the Clackamas, it was discussing the sewer pipe that will parallel the Willamette and will end the combined sewer overflows that are a result of rain storms. The sewer overflows are only caused from rain; therefore, if it has not rained in the past few days the river should be safe to ride in. Also, the contaminants that are hurting the wildlife aren't from sewer but are from pesticide chemicals that enter the river above Salem. I am not saying it is safe to drink; however, I am saying it is safe to swim in as long as it hasn't rained in the past 72 hours. <BR> <BR>PS. I am not a scientist, I am just reporting what I hear. I also report what I hear, especially when it makes me feel better about getting in that water. . . <img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/happy.gif" border=0> <BR>

I see the pros are going to be at Wet Wednesday, I hope they are downstream of the discharge that happened yesterday, would not like to see them all sick for the pro tour this weekend. there is just no way I would go in that water when there is clean water close by. Oh by the way Miss fly girl I am always looking for a third or fourth so if you need a ride just let me know.

Oh man, you had me all excited I thought some riders were moving to Portland Maine!! <IMG SRC="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/sad.gif" ALT=":-(" BORDER=0> I will continue the wait for some die hard riding frineds... <sigh> <img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/sad.gif" border=0>

This "Wet Wednesday" Is at the Who's song &amp; Larry's...right? Is that where all the wakeboards get together and hang out? If so...that is really cool!! Where is this place located?

There are at several weekly wakeboard events going on this year in the Portland area. Wednesday(Calabria) and Thursday(Mastercraft/947 NRK) are at Who, Song and Larry's. Active is doing something at Koppert Lake in Washington, it's their private lake. And Bridge City Water Sports(Malibu) is doing Phat Tuesdays at Hebb park on the upper Willamette.

Wake Board Wars on thursday is the place to go. <BR>They will have the new 2003 X-STAR Pro Tour Boat there pulling the event. You know there isn't a bigger better wake. Beside they give like $100 cash to the winner!

I'm going to Oregon on Tuesday the 22nd. Are these events all weekly? Also does anyone know the times of these events?

Wet Wednesdays and Wakeboard wars (Thursdays) start at 6:00 pm. Who's song and Larry's is right off of Macadam Ave and on the Willamette River. Skyline Water sports has all info. Hey Miss Fly Girl you should compete. Last night there was only one girl and I think she one $100. A wakeskate the week before. <BR> <BR>Skiing made me board, <BR>Lyle <BR>Chrome Dome Industries

Lyle, why don't you compete? YOU SHOULD! Only one girl...so doesn't that mean she will win no matter what? I am so happy to hear that Portland Has all these events taking place! I was so scared that I was going to get there and have a hard time trying to ride. Lyle, if I compete... will you?

Or do guys compete in a separate competition?

I rode two weeks ago. I was in the middle of painting my board so I had to use my back up board: the skurfer. Ever see one? I am trying to get Jason to compete and wear his superman outfit. That would be so funny. <BR> <BR>Skiing made me board, <BR>Lyle <BR>Chrome Dome Industries

Hey Jenn, <BR> <BR>What are you doing on Sunday? We should ride before you leave us <IMG SRC="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/sad.gif" ALT=":-(" BORDER=0> Give us a call if you are open. <BR> <BR>Miss ya, <BR> <BR>Cory, Tammy and Zack

Lyle, I'll ride in my superman custome if you ride in a diaper.

Tammy, I am free on Sunday. Would love to ride with ya'! It would be great to see you! I will give you a call later on to night!

The Pro's are here this weekend. I get to ride with Gerry Nunn this afternoon.

WakeDad.... <BR>Where you on the upper or lower willamette? I was able to hook up with the Full throttle tour people and actually got to ride with Gator himself. We where at 10th street park in West lynn until about 9pm last night.

Mconly <BR>As far as the comps please support both of them. "Wet Wednesday" and "Wakeboard Wars". <BR>its about the riding and not who's putting them on. I am closely attached to "Wet Wednesdays" and will still tell people about thursdays because of the fun to ride. There will aslo be compitions on the upper Willamette on Tuesdays call "Phat Tuesdays". Starting in July. <BR>Jared

I'm moving out to portland for college in late august. I was just wondering if i should bring my board how late does the season usually go, does anyone ride all year, should I look for a dry suit? If i do is there anyone who would be willing to give me a pull i'll help pay for gas money

Well for you can't and can't ride all year long. To do so will require a lake. The river get to fast and cold during the winter months. I started in March with the water being at 42 degrees. This of course was with a drysuite and wetuite under the dry. There is also a lake in Toledo Washington that is owned by a local shop that they have open all year long. Its $6 for down and back. They also have comps up there as well. <BR>Jared

Well for you can't and can't ride all year long. To do so will require a lake. The river get to fast and cold during the winter months. I started in March with the water being at 42 degrees. This of course was with a drysuite and wetsuite under the dry. We usually ride until early Oct. <BR> There is also a lake in Toledo Washington that is owned by a local shop "Active Water Sports" that they have open all year long. Its $6 for down and back. They also have comps up there as well. <BR>Jared

Has anybody heard anything about this new company CDI fins? I hear they have some really sweet aluminum fins. Colin Wright is riding for them.

LOL Well I have heard of them.. and would love some contact info <IMG SRC="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/happy.gif" ALT=":-)" BORDER=0> Lyle if your out there. We spoke last "Wet Wednesdays" about the filming. Please shoot me an email so we can get together. <BR> <BR>thanks <BR>Jared <BR>NumSkull Productions

Jarad, <BR>you should come check out the competition this week on Lake Oswego. I think it is early afternoon. It was pretty laid back last year. <BR> <BR>Skiing made me board, <BR>Lyle <BR>Chrome Dome Industries

Lyle.. <BR>Can you send me the info to <a href="mailto:Jared@numbskullpro.com">Jared@numbsku llpro.com</a>. Such as time and date. Also, I am trying to get some of my loose ends tied up this week. When would be a good time to site down and talk about a possible sponsorship of CDI? <BR>Thanks <BR>Jared Schassen <BR>NumbSkull Productions