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Family ActivitiesHood RiverSportsTarvel & Vacation

The Heart of the Country’s Windsport Community

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A place for windsport enthusiasts to gather, connect, and collect!

Business Feature: Windance
By Dennis McNabb, Active Media

It is no exaggeration to say that the Columbia Gorge (and Hood River, in particular) is the premier destination in the continental United States for windsport enthusiasts. Known for its consistent wind patterns, supportive infrastructure, easy accessibility, and thriving windsurfing community, there is no place better to indulge your windsport fantasies, regardless of your experience level. And within that community, there is no place more equipped to get you in the air and on the water than Windance!

Anyone already involved in these activities will be familiar with the name. Windance has been a cornerstone of The Gorge scene since 1983! It has affectionately been considered a place to “hang out” as much as it is a place to gear up. A favorite amongst the locals as well as those who are just getting into it, their vast inventory of both new and used equipment offers many alternatives for those seeking to save money where they can. “We have the largest used selection in town,” owner Nick Caccavo stated, “And that really helps people who are just getting started to pick up some high-quality equipment without breaking the bank.” Since 90% of their used inventory is sold on consignment, they also offer established riders a unique opportunity to clear out the garage, recoup some of their costs, and get the gear into the hands of excited buyers.

Nick is an incredibly knowledgeable and enthusiastic lover of all things related to windsports. He moved to The Gorge in 2008 to be a firefighter and discovered this vibrant community. He himself got his start “hanging out” at Windance and purchasing equipment at one of their swap meets. He fell in love with the people just as much as he fell in love with the various disciplines within the sport, and Windance has been a central pillar of his entire experience. When it came up for sale in 2022, he jumped at the opportunity.

“There was no need to fix what wasn’t broken,” Nick said. “The shop’s character and casual vibe have always drawn people in and I don’t want that to change.” What he has done is update their in-store technology to better serve customers, especially online. He also recently added Foil Drive Assists to their inventory – a revolutionary new technology that converts Foils into E-Foils. He will continue to focus on strengthening their position at the forefront of the industry’s innovation — offering cutting-edge gear while maintaining continuity with the past. He wants every customer who enters to “feel the magic,” to comprehend that they are visiting the epicenter of an entire sport, and hopefully be inspired to become a part of the Windance legacy.

Nick is eternally grateful for this opportunity and hopes that Windance can continue to be the beating heart of the windsport community for decades to come. Whether you are a salty old pro or a beginner, Windance is the one-stop shopping mecca for all your windsport needs!

For more information, check out their website: windance.com. Better yet, come down to the shop located at 108 Highway 35 in Hood River. Their knowledgeable and enthusiastic staff never fails to inspire!