As the grand state of Oregon has four great seasons, clearly we can’t cater to snowboarders all year round. Well, Westbound Boarder is finally unveiling the one-stop-shop that can definitely outfit you each and every season, without exception!  With expertise in all snow, surf, skate, windsurf, kite board and now SUP (Stand-Up Paddle Boarding), Gorge Performance really caters to what the location externalities of Oregon has given to her board sport enthusiast’s.

Est. back in 1983, Gorge Performance has earned their hardcore reputation, through their humble attitudes, by offering the right service and guaranteeing the lowest prices. So we’re going to break ‘em down real nicely for ya. Gorge offers you expertise in the following areas:

• Snow
  
• Surf
• Skate
• SUP
• Kite
• Windsurf

Along with their variety of expertise, Gorge Performance offers what no one else in town does:

• Killer Classifieds: Have a board to sell? Want to try a new sport, but don’t want to pay all that cash for brand new gear? Gorge offers the best consignment, trade-in and resale opportunities in town.
• Equipment Rentals: Snowboards, surfboards, body boards and wetsuits are all available for rental. Check out their website for rates.
• Shape Shop: Gorge offers a shaping shed and board repair center on site. Whether it’s your surfboard, kite board, NoBoard, or any board, Gorge can likely fix it for you.
• Video Rentals: Gorge Performance will even rent you the latest board video (snow, surf, kite and windsurf etc…), a reason all in its self to stop by this board shack.
• Online Store: As if Gorge does not already have it all, check out their online store too!
• For the Ladies: Gorge has all the gear, for the women and the men. From wetsuits to boards, Gorge is ready for you board driven ladies!

This place stands out in a crowd as they are in no way a ‘big box’ store. Gorge throws epic events for their customers. Be sure to check them out:

• 2nd SUP Wednesdays: Want to learn the latest about Stand-Up Paddle Boarding? Join Gorge Performance at Willamette Park boat ramp the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 5pm. This is an opportunity for you to improve your technique, skill’s, or just explore! Eventually Gorge Performance hopes to turn this event into a race. So bring your board if you have one, otherwise Gorge has plenty of demos available. Don’t forget your wetsuit, which you can always rent at the shop.
• Kite Nights: Look out for Kite-Nights later on in the season when the winds are just right. Gorge gets everyone together to kite board out at Sauvie Island. Demos available!
• Rail Jam: Each snowboard season Gorge brings in the snow and throws a rail jam contest right at their shop. With prizes, music and downtown Portland snow, this rail jam is a must attend. Rad events like this take place throughout each season so keep checkin’ in with us for the details.

On top of all these elements which have made Gorge performance the Portland area’s favorite local board shop, they have deals, sales and steals to offer you too:

• Snowboard sale: Right now 2009 Snowboard gear is on sale from 40-50% off.
• Surfboards on sale! For a limited time, you can pick up one of dozens of boards, short and long, marked at $101 off!

As Gorge put’s it themselves, ‘I like to think we’re just right…the right size, the right service and always a guaranteed low price. Stop in. We’ll do ya right.’ With all of this said, it is no surprise that Portland area’s favorite local board shop successfully transforms their focus with the changing seasons- all the way from snow to surf to skate to wind, skim and SUP - so stop by and get your board on at Gorge Performance.

Related Posts

• Shop Review: Gorge Performance
• PROfile: Bud Valian and His Ski Shop
• ‘SUP with your board?