Windsurfing board tricks, relay races, tandem sailing and attempted acrobatics on the boards are just some of the fun that goes on at the Columbia Gorge Windsurfing Association’s King of the Hook event.
This year's King of the Hook is once again Steve "The Heat Miser" Hawk, but two young brothers from Wyoming took the grand prize of a new boom from Chinook for their overall outstanding performances and costumes.
Queen of the Hook was Erin Sutherland, as she put on a show with all of her tricks.
“Best Costume” was won by Barb Ayers, and alongside her was her dog Noodle who won the “Best 360 Around the Mast."
Fiona Wylde and her partner Martin won "Best Gymnastics and Headstand,” and cheering them on during their tricks was “Most Enthusiastic,” Daisy Dolan.
The “Best Old School Trick” was done by Ben Vorster with what is called the “Railride,” is a move Bryer Strand didn’t have to pull out of his bag of tricks to win the "Best Youngster Trick." Strand also won the "Best Hitch Hiker with Somersault Dismount” award.
Strand’s brother, Owen Strand, won the "Best in Show” prize.
In the mother and daughter division, Jody Petty and her daughter won the “Dry Duo” event.
Unlike previous years, “this year it was almost all kids who entered,” said Jul Dolan, who helps put on this event.
But like other King of the Hook events, “It was fun time with a lot of laughs.”
Bart Vervloet, executive director of the CGWA, agreed that, “All in all it was a ton of fun!” There was not only wind for the windsurfers, but hotdogs, watermelon and prizes for everyone afterwards provided by local companies Big Winds, Gorge Surf Shop, Andrew's Skylight Theater, RBS Battens, Promotion Wetsuits, and Chinook Sailing Products.
After this year’s crowning of a king and queen of the hook, Vervloet is “looking forward to next year already!” he said.
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