Gorge Windsurfer accident

[Paul F]

I saw this on the news while at the gym:

Hood River windsurfer Jeffrey Young found dead next to Columbia River

Three Mile Canyon is a very wide spot in the river way east of Hood River that has amazing rolling swells when it is on, but you often sail far from shore and far from other surfers because it is so wide.

[GrahamMansell]

that family is in my prayers.

[Randy]

Jeff was one of many native Minnesotans who traveled to the Gorge years ago. This is a very sad story given the unexpected death of his wife six years ago. We can't imagine the suffering their sixteen year old daughter, Hannah, is going through, so please send your loving prayers and energy to her and to their family. All who knew Jeff had a rare treat to a great spirit who's physical presence will be sorely missed. If there is a Minnesota memorial we'll try to post it here for those who want to honor this great rider.


http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ss ... ffrey.html

[Paul F]

I didn't know Jeffery and that he was from Minnesota. I thought I knew all the Minnesota transplants out here. It is a sad family story.

An article today in the Hood River News says the river was very very intense out east on the day it happened.

http://www.hoodrivernews.com/News%20sto ... 0young.htm

Obituary and guest book:

http://andersontc.frontrunnerpro.com/ru ... mId=461458

[Geo]

I purchased my first helmet for windsurfing the day that we arrived at Doug's and another rider had just died hours earlier. No matter how good you are, there are still things that happen, sometimes beyond your control. We've all been there, so it is awful that it went too far for Jeff.

[Randy]

Here's information on Jeff's Minnesota Memorial Service tonight.


May 14, 1961 May 3, 2010 Drown accidently while doing one of his favorite sports, wind surfing, in the Columbia River Gorge, Hood River, Oregon. Preceded in death by loving wife Connie. Survived by precious daughter Hannah; loving mother Carole (Schnaith); brother Scott (Nancy) & father Terry. 1979 Johnson H.S. Graduate. Memorial Service 7PM Monday at OUR REDEEMER LUTHERAN CHURCH, 1390 E. Larpenteur Ave., St. Paul. Family will receive friends 1/2 hour before the service and a fellowship meal will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred. Anderson Funeral Home 651-776-2761

[Paul F]

I was following Tighe's link to the SPI trek and spotted a Jeff Young sticky.

http://www.nwkite.com/forums/t-17502.html

There was video of the launch site at Three Mile Canyon. I remember one day I was at that very spot and didn't go out because it was too windy for me and it was much less wind than the video. I got the same scared feeling watching this video.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6M_S_kSA1I[/youtube]