Nick Allen

My name is Nick Allen, I grew up in Ohio and moved out to Oregon in my van when i was 17 to windsurf every day! Been here ever since.

:: Nick Allen video clip - (C) by coldwater productions ::

How is life in Hood River with the Columbia River Gorge as your local playground in summer and nearby Mt. Hood in winter?

Now (13 years later) life has improved alot, I have really grown to love it here. I work in the snow sports industry, allowing windsurfing every day in the summer, and snowboarding every day in the winter. The mix of seasons will keep me from ever getting burned out of one thing. Plus there are a ton of other hobbies outdoors i love here, fishing, mushroom hunting, golfing, the list goes on...

:: shove-it - (C) photo Jock Bradley ::

Please tell us a bit about your passion for freestyle windsurfing, why you love & practice the sport and if you have any idols on the water?

Well i have to say the feeling of learning new tricks windsurfing fuels me everyday to go out there and practice. It really doesn't get any better than a day out there with your buddies throwing down tricks in each others faces!! haha :) thats what keeps us all motivated out there. My friends are my biggest idols on the water because they are always down to load up the van and organize a fun day on the water!

:: Flying high at the Pistol River Wave Bash 2010 / Oregon Coast (C) photo by Richard Hallman - FreelanceImaging.com ::

What are you favorite freestyle moves and what moves are you currently working on?

My favorite moves are anything that you come out of fully planning, although as of right now I love to try burners every reach if i could!

What boards and sails do you ride and why?

I am really stoked, I just got on RRD sails and boards!!! for the newer tricks the gear has really helped me progress, and it looks rad on the water too!

:: stylish cliff drop with the Gorge in the background - (C) photo by Richard Hallman - FreelanceImaging.com ::

Your favorite playgrounds are?

Hatch, Bingen, Dougs, Avery , Wall , Arlington. Especially in the cold offseason when its just you and your buddies on perfect untracked water! thats when we learn the most!

Your latest magic moment while windsurfing the Gorge ?

The first day on my new RRD gear with all my friends on the water!

Either/or?

Twinser or Quad?	twinser river, quad waves
Kauli or Gollito?	Kiri
Barefoot or booties?	If i had a choice barefoot, but booties save me all the time if its cold, i have an annoying cut, or slippery duck tape on my foot
RAP or Rock?	Miike Snow/Pandora - try it out
Tatoo or not?	not
Mac or PC?	Mac, but normally i have a cheap-o pc

What goals and plans do you have for the near future - any trips, contests etc.?

All the local contests for sure, really focusing on unique places for photo and video opportunities with my new gear this fall.

:: Nick is riding RRD boards & RRD sails - (C) photo by Nick Allen::