For many, the Columbia River Gorge is a summer-only destination—a fantasy wonderland of endless bumps and guaranteed wind. But when the tourists leave and the temperatures drop, a dedicated local crew is just getting started. We recently sat down with Carter Albertini, who runs the Five-O logistics and operations hub in Stevenson, to discuss what it means to be a year-round foiler in the Pacific Northwest.
Winter in the Gorge means gray skies, wet conditions, and snow, but for the locals, it’s entirely worth it for the uncrowded water. During the summer, popular spots like the Hatchery can get so packed they turn into the “Packery,” requiring an early arrival just to find parking. In contrast, the winter Easterlies offer a peaceful escape where you can find your own section of the river.
Once the wind hits 30 miles per hour, the river swell turns on, offering incredibly fun rides. Instead of struggling with massive wings, riders rig big foils, like the Code 1130, allowing them to glide and connect the winter bumps with ease. To survive the freezing 30-degree temperatures and 45 mph winds, the strategy is simple: modern neoprene, gloves, and the promise of a hot shower right after the session.
Even in the Gorge, the wind doesn’t blow every day. To keep the stoke alive during the dead periods this winter, Carter and the local crew turned to pump foiling. Armed with an Axis PNG 1300 foil, the learning curve wasn’t easy. It took three hours of practice every single day for three weeks—enduring countless falls into the freezing river—before it clicked.
But the grind paid off. Carter is now breaking the one-minute mark on dock starts, and the benefits have bled directly into his winging. Pump foiling drastically improves a rider’s feel for mast height, connects them to the swell energy, and trains the subtle toe pressures needed to glide effortlessly.
Perhaps the best part of foiling—in the Gorge and beyond—is the culture. Coming from a traditional surfing background, Carter notes how refreshing it is to be part of a community that has plenty of waves to share. At the Stevenson docks, there’s a group of retired riders ready to offer advice, talk gear, and cheer each other on.
This supportive environment is infectious. Carter shared the inspiring story of Mike, a 79-year-old local who spent a season getting relentlessly pummeled while learning to para wing. Today, Mike rides effortlessly, proving that with dedication and a cheering squad, anyone can master the foil. It’s a culture built on sharing the stoke—right down to keeping old beginner gear so the next generation can safely learn the sport.
At Five-O, we are avid consumers of media, from Instagram shorts to long form video and the longest podcast episodes, we just love to consume content and we hope you are the same… because we have launched our own podcast. This is not to push product or self promote but to explore the passions, both on and off the water, of some of the amazing characters in and around Five-O. We hope you like it.
Listen to the full episode below to catch the complete conversation, hear more about the Gorge’s unique river currents, and get fired up for your next session!
