Pepi and Erica Gerald are the Co-owners of 2nd Wind Sports (we specialize in new and consigned windsports, snowsports, mountaineering and camping equipment).
We live, work and play in the town of Hood River, Oregon, located right on the Columbia River Gorge and a 30min drive from Mount Hood.
Our credo is "local knowledge, local service, and local prices". We take pride in learning it, living it, loving it, and sharing it, when it comes to our sports that we and our staff represent.
Our staff :
Pepi Gerald - Pepi brings to our shop over 15yrs of sales experience from the snowboard, kiteboard and windsurf industry, both in international and national sales. After spending many years travelling and working for other business owners, Pepi and Erica felt it was time to take a stab at running their own business and personal destiny. AKA "The Cleanup Crew" for his persistence in always trying to get in an evening 'session' on the water after closing time at 2nd Wind.
Erica Gerald - Erica brings to the shop a decade of sales and marketing experience in sailing, snowboarding and skiing. Her passion for sharing the outdoors experience with others is uncompromised and is the force that pushes our staff to help others enjoy the sports we represent.
Mike Snedecor - Can anyone love snowboarding more than Mike? I think not. Mikes one of our original staff who lives to snowboard, kiteboard and windsurf. The only thing that you need to know about Mike is that he's local and loves to share his knowledge Hood River's better secret spots, be it for wind, snow or just a good camping spot.
Matt Luchsinger - AKA"Suds". Suds will have you know that he's kind of a 'big deal' around town(yeah,right). Suds is our other original staff. When not behind the counter at 2nd Wind, Suds can be found on the skihill as a Tech Rep for Rossignol or at our local Sandbar with his Lab Desiree, testing the breaking threshold of our shop demo gear.
Anna Weber - Snowboarding is what brought Anna to Hood River (Mt Hood that is). Her accomplishments in boardercross and as a Level III Coach have set Anna apart from the rest of us, plus her ability to quickly pick up new sports such as kiteboarding (where she getting close to surpassing her boss's skills). Ask Anna about any item in our shop, she's either touched it, tagged it, worn it or ridden it.
Alex Nielson - AKA'Shop Grom'. Alex grew up snowboarding, but truly loves windsurfing, whether it's on the race course or just trying to pass his old man at the Event Site. If it has anything to do with windsurfing Alex will know how to ride it, tune it or repair it. We're pretty proud of how Alex has been developing his shop skills under the apprenticeship of Mike and Matt.
Tara Zwink - A longtime windsurfer and snowboarder, Tara brings over a decade of professional snowboard competition experience to our shop. Tara's the newest addition to our crew, and is easy to find due to her constant smile and her ability to put you at ease when helping you with any questions or advice you need.
Jill Boyer - Accomplished River Guide, world traveler and snowboard instructor, Jill joined our staff this winter to help us deal with our ever increasing workload as a fast growing local shop. You'll be seeing Jill out on the water this Spring learning to windsurf and, along with Tara, paying her dues learning to kiteboard.
OUR KITE/WINDSURF TEAM :
Arla Funk - If you've ever spent time at the Sandbar or at the Hatchery, it's a given that you've met Arla. On the beach or on the water she's always overflowing with positive stoke, and riding the kite or sail as big as the "guys".
Brett Newcomb - Brett's been a gorge local for sometime now , either on the water, in a shop or at the Sandbar teaching newby kiteboarders. When he's not on the water, it probably means that it's nighttime and he's probably sleeping.
Forrest Rae - Anywhere you see flat water and a slider, you'll likely find Forrest tearing it up. Forrest is one of the Slider representatives for the Columbia Gorge Kiteboarding Assoc, and as such is volunteering much of hsi time this summer to help develop and maintain a world class slider park for our kiteboard spot.
THE INFAMOUS COOK BRO's
- Joby Cook - Our magazine ad posterchild Joby is working hard to leave his mark in the kiting community by competing at a few slider events for 08'. Along with Forrest, Joby will be found anywhere there's flatwater and a slider. Keep an eye out for Joby this summer!
- Jake Cook - Keeping the pace with Joby and Forrest will be Jake. This team of guys will all be representing Liquid Force Kiteboarding in full force at the Sandbar for 2008. A Sandbar regular, Jake will be a fixture you cannot miss if you spend anytime down on the water.
OUR SKI/SNOWBOARD TEAM :
David Rovianek - David's not hard to miss at Meadows, he's either stoking out other riders with his talent in the park or with his support for making better riders out of anyone he rides with.
Brent Rovianek - Following in his brother's footsteps is not an easy thing to do, especially if you are 3rd in a solid line of accomplished riders, but Brent is setting his own pace at the park and one to watch for the future.
The Hood River Snowboard Team - Along with the support of Atomic Snowboards and Rossignol Snowboards, 2nd Wind has had the privilege of being able to support riders on Oregon's state champ team.
LOCAL FRIENDS AND ALLIES :
Columbia Gorge Windsurfing Assoc - Water Safety and Access
Columbia Gorge Kiteboarding Assoc - Water Safety and Access
The Alpinees - Alpine climbing club
The Cragrats - Mountain Search and Rescue
Mt Hood Meadows Ski Patrol - The guys that make it happen!
NW KITE - WWW.NWKITE.COM
Myspace Layouts - Myspace Editor - Image Hosting
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Who I'd like to meet:
People interested in windsports, snowsports and any boardsports.
Hood River locals to expand our locals network and get the word our about our products, events, services, and parties.
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