“I loved parawinging with the crew and Rufus runs - those classic Gorge downwinders where the river carries you,” said Ashlon, one of our North American sales reps. Similarly, Mike claimed that the parawing downwinders were his highlight, saying that “the best day on the water came at Rufus, linking a long run from the silos to the boat ramp. That session mixed teamwork, adventure, and a whole lot of Naish stoke.”
Known for creativity both on and off the water, Ewan laughed about decorating Lauren’s car at the Hatchery car park. He also lit up when talking about creating a new parawing. “It’s been cool getting to use the gear we’ve built and seeing how it performs in real-world Gorge conditions - living proof of the innovations that fuel every Naish ride.”
Ryan, one of our graphic designers, took a huge personal step this summer. He said that he got on foil for 14 seconds at the Hook! In his words, “I did it! Those first foil seconds were unforgettable and the Gorge was the perfect place for it.”
Avrie said that learning to parawing was her highlight. "Trying a new discipline felt super rewarding and was such a fun challenge." When talking about her favorite session, she said, "My best session of the summer was up at the hatch in 30 knots. I rode the Pivot 7m and landed my biggest frontroll!"
What makes Hood River summers special isn’t just the sessions, it’s the lifestyle. The post-session burritos, pink river sunsets, and endless laughs shared between teammates. It’s about pushing each other on the water and celebrating the small victories, like the first few seconds on foil or the perfect downwinder.
Looking Ahead
This summer reminded us why we ride: not just for performance, but for the joy of it all. The Gorge is more than a training ground; it’s a playground, a community hub, and a place where our gear and our people come alive.
As the season shifts, we’re already looking forward to what’s next: more progression, more adventures, and more memories with the crew. But for now, we’ll carry the spirit of summer in Hood River into every session ahead.
