In da Hood

Andre: Hood River is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever shot kiteboarding. The light there is just special – soft, clean, and full of depth. It might be the most beautiful light I’ve seen at any kite spot.

What makes it even better is the variety. There are several different spots along the river, and each has its own character. And since Hood River sits right on the edge of a desert, a 40-minute drive can take you to a completely different landscape. It’s one of those rare places where you can shoot in totally different environments on the same day – very different from where I grew up shooting kiteboarding in Brazil.

This season I finally got to spend some real time there – almost two months. It’s something I’d wanted to do ever since my first visit back in 2015. Now that I live in California, it’s much easier to just drive up and stay for as long as it makes sense.

Even with all that time, we didn’t get many sunset sessions. The wind usually dropped before the best evening light, so I didn’t use my flashes much. But honestly, with light that good, I didn’t really need to.

Shooting with Noè is always a pleasure. His tricks look amazing, and he has a great sense of space – when I ask him to hit a specific line or position for the background, he always nails it. This season I pulled him out of the park for a bit so we could shoot some freestyle at one of my favorite spots. The wind didn’t last as long as we hoped, but we still got some shots I’m really happy with.

The vibe in Hood River is always great. It’s one of those places that’s hard to leave. But when the temperatures start to drop and the mornings get cold, I know it’s time to head back to Brazil. And as we always say, it’s good that we didn’t get all the shots we wanted – that keeps us stoked for the next season.

Noè: This summer in Hood River was another reminder of why I keep coming back year after year. For the past decade, it’s been my second home – a place where wind, water and good friends all come together. It all started because of the kite park – the only public one in the world – and that’s what first brought me here. Over the years though, Hood River has become much more than a destination. It’s where I reconnect with people I’ve known for years, and where I get to enjoy all the different sports the Columbia has to offer: kiteboarding, downwind foiling, paragliding and trail running.

The first image that always comes to mind is the incredible backdrop of the Gorge. It’s unlike anywhere else we travel – those steep, rugged cliffs and the river cutting through make every image more special. This summer, one memory that stands out was a session at Viento with Andre. The light and the images we captured made it very memorable. As a videographer, I’m often the one behind the lens on shoots around the Gorge, but having the chance to ride in that scenery is extra special.