Looks like Dale's having a good time, the Hucker is designed for big jumps and power freeride sailing.
"Hucker. One who throws himself/herself wildly through the air and does not land on his/her feet"
Actually the border between states Oregon and Washington, runs right up the middle of the river.
Nice vid.
Love the looooong jumps, "travel air" we call them.
Here's an interesting write up from Phils Blog, philswindsurfingblog.blogspot.com/2013/09/sail-discussion-vandal-addictsailworks.html
This is Dale Cook flying his Hucker in the Gorge. Imagine the explosive acceleration required to propel him to these heights. Imagine also, the control required from the sail to enable one to maintain one's trim while flying in heavy air.
Dale Cook is able to take a break from these jumps, sail round the corner to what they call a speed strip (but is actually just a flattish piece of river interspersed with river traffic and reed beds) and hit speeds of over 40knots in his baggies, his waist harness and this equipment! Absolute magic and a testament to what this type of sail is capable of.
Yes its the Columbia River which is the state boundary between Washington State and Oregon. I've been there once, stayed at the Dalles which is a bit up river from Hood River. Its a great area, about 500kms from Canadia.
The sail and board look like a fantastic set up for those conditions. I like the wording 'power freeride'.