Hood River blows -- and that\'s a good thing.
By nwkite.com.

Fed up with gusts you can't trust? Craving butter? Want to get a few rides in between parties? Don't just drift wherever the wind blows. Check out our list of the best kiteboarding destinations in the U.S.

HOOD RIVER, OREGON

The Columbia River Gorge is practically the Mecca of windsports, and Hood River is right in the thick of it. Kiteboarding in particular is synonymous with the Hood -- some of the first kiteboards in the world popped up on the Columbia. But there may be trouble brewing -- landslides from last winter have changed the formation of the town's riverfront, and it could be the kiteboarders who get the worst of it.

C STREET, VENTURA, CALIF.

Ventura, less than an hour's drive up Highway 1 from L.A., is one of the windiest spots on the West Coast from April to November. It's not exactly a secret, either -- expect to see plenty of kites on the water if the weather's decent. This popularity has its benefits, though, especially for the tailgating and barbecue scene.

KEY WEST FLATS, FLA.

Get a boat -- or beg your way onto one -- and head out to the flats if you like calm, warm water. Steady winds and inviting sandbars can make the days melt away. Bringing a snorkel and mask is a good idea, too, with water this clear. And the nighttime party scene? Just make sure to save a little energy for the next day.

MONTROSE BEACH, CHICAGO, ILL.

It is the Windy City, after all. Spring and fall are the best seasons to check out this beachside playground on Lake Michigan. Kiteboarders are required to carry a level-two PASA certification card, which makes this often-crowded destination a bad place to learn the basics. If you're comfortable on the water, though, Montrose is a great ride.

BANDON, OREGON

The Bandon Dunes golf course is one of the finest in the world, but the best action takes place at the base of the cliffs, on Whiskey Beach. Northwest winds stay consistent throughout the spring and summer. You don't have to schlep any gear, because all beaches in Oregon are open to the public, and you're allowed to drive on the sand. The golf course may be crowded, but the water isn't.

SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, TEXAS

Spring break! Wooo! Spring break! That'll always be the catch phrase in South Padre, but the wind blows here year-round. Bigger waves are available on the Gulf side of this skinny island, but the mud flats offer butter-smooth water that makes for great turns at high speeds. Go in the offseason to get in some solitary runs, or go in the spring if you like to mix in parties aplenty.

SKYLINE DRIVE, UTAH

If you have a kite and a board, but the water's frozen -- into nice powdery snow crystals, let's say -- does it still count as a water sport? We're gonna say yes, because it would be a crime to leave the Drive off any kiteboarding list. When all the beaches are mired in winter doldrums, it's a beautiful thing to drive up to 10,000 feet, park on the shoulder, and take off into the wild snowy yonder.