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Fellow windsurfers find sail, Coast Guard locates body

By ADAM LAPIERRE

News staff writer

Conditions Monday in the eastern Gorge were nearly unsailable, with sustained winds reaching 60-plus miles an hour east of Arlington. Only a handful of windsurfers braved the high winds and massive swell, and among them 48-year old Hood River resident Jeff Young was one of the strongest.

Young was last seen sailing around 3:30 p.m. at the area east of Arlington known as 3 Mile Canyon. With about 10 other windsurfers in the water at the time, Young disappeared and his board and sail washed up on shore shortly after. Those who were sailing with him quickly began a search, but he was not found until around midnight, by the crew of a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter using night vision devices. His body was found approximately three miles down river from where he was last seen.

“We pulled his board in and started looking for him right away,” said Dayna Reed, who was sailing with Young that day. “Jeff was one of the most consistently nice guys in the Gorge, and one of the strongest sailors out there. It was so windy and so cold that, under those conditions, in that location, there’s very little chance of rescue.”

Reed said that while fellow sailors were searching for Young, police and rescue personnel showed up to help. It was too windy for boat operations, so units from Morrow County Sheriff’s Office, Columbia Intertribal Fisheries, Oregon State Police, Morrow County Health District and Klickitat County Sheriff’s Office searched from the shore.

“Jeff was a very solid windsurfer,” said Temira Wagonfeld, who was also on the water with Young. “But he wasn’t wearing a helmet and it was by far one of the windiest days I’ve ever sailed. I’d guess it was blowing in the 40-60 range, with gusts higher than that.”

“I think this is a reality check about how dangerous it can be out there at times,” Reed said. “This is a tragic reminder of the decisions we make, and the risks we take by going out in those conditions.”

According to the Morrow County Sheriff’s office, Young’s cause of death will be determined by the Gilliam County Medical Examiner.

Young is survived by his daughter, Hannah, who is a sophomore at Hood River Valley High School. In 2003 Hannah’s mother, Connie, passed away suddenly at their home.

Funeral arrangements for Young are pending and will be handled by Andersons Tribute Center.