Doug's Hood River — Local services in Hood River

Rhyme called I’m Sorry: This is a song dedicated to Doug's, and it’s aimed at working out their bugs. We went in hoping we’d be in their club, but when we weren't felt the snub. It started one Saturday and we bought some shoes, tried them on and they seemed so true. We picked them up thinking they were great, but when we wore them one day they felt like weights. So we called up Doug's from out of town, and the rep told us to come on down! Down to Hood River as the only way to return, and we mentioned clearly that the shoes were worn! The shoes were worn for maybe two hours, they said with a receipt we had the power, to return the shoes, just bring them in, so we headed back to Hood River and it would begin, We got in the store, and were directed to line, we observed their products and all seemed sublime.

We waited in line until it was our turn for service, and another was rushed to the counter and curbed us. We looked at the rep and I thought she saw me, but realized we weren't in the club when they said "I’m Sorry!" I'm Sorry, you were in line, I'm sorry, you don't get served, I'm sorry, we know this guy, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry.

So we thought little of it and would wait a bit longer, but the snub we felt only got stronger! When it was our turn, we brought the shoes, and with our receipt expected no bad news, We asked for an exchange and without looking, they took us to the back like all was cooking. We got back for one size smaller, and right there, the tale got taller... we got an apology...they said "I'm sorry!" They didn't have the size in stock, and we got to the front with one more shock. We had been told to come in, we had been told it was fine, but when we got back to the front of that line? Well, you might guess this line is getting as old as an Atari; they looked at the shoes and said "I'm sorry!" I'm sorry we told you to come in, I'm sorry we didn't clear up our policy, I'm sorry we were fine with the shoes before, I'm sorry we are not fine with them anymore!

That’s the end of the song, and what we learned about Doug's; you get great service only if you're in their club!

Public note: We called indicating that their receipt subjectively said they wouldn't accept returns that were "unsellable" but they sent multiple indications that the shoes were fine. We wouldn't have come back into Hood River if there was any indication that we might not be able to...

I had a Wing Foil (Progression) lesson at Doug's yesterday. Ava was my instructor. From the start, the Doug's folks were so great. Since the wind was a bit inconsistent, they gave me the choice to reschedule if I preferred and were very flexible and accommodating. We decided to proceed with the lesson (via Jet Ski) with a plan to go further east on the river to find the stronger wind. Ava handled the jet ski logistics like a pro, despite the ingress / egress being quite busy with wingers. During the lesson, using in-helmet ear buds, she advised me and coached me as needed and I was able to ask questions. She was a great scout for the wind gusts as well, watching upwind and letting me know when to get positioned to go. While the wind lulled, Ava and I had a chance to chat and I learned of her accomplishments in Wing Foiling in a relatively short period. Based on her competence as an instructor, I was not surprised to learn that she is a Team Rider for Slingshot. Very impressive! Ava was calm and cool throughout the lesson, speaking when necessary, responding to my questions and otherwise letting me ride. She's a great teacher - talented, knowledgable, calm and poised. My wife and I agreed that if we could clone Ava, we'd love a daughter like her as well! Get out there and take a lesson -- Ask for Ava. She'll turn you into a competent winger quickly! Thanks Doug's and Ava! See you...

We've now taken several lessons from Juan for both Wing Foiling and eFoiling and I am not being hyperbolic when I say that my entire family now wants to move to Hood River and live the Columbia River life to be closer to him and the amazing sports he taught us! His stoke is constant and real and he loved passing it on to all of us; regardless of the mind state we came in, Juan and the entire team always put us in a better one, made us feel excited to learn more, and a part of a community, which is no easy feat when you are just learning a new sport! I cannot say enough good things about Juan's tutelage, his ability to adapt to multiple physical ability levels on the fly, or how we feel like we've learned from one of the best in the biz! If you have any hesitation; drop it and book some lessons with Juan. He's the best, and Doug's is the best! we loved everything so much we walked away with a full kit to try back at home. Hoping to come back for more lessons next year, to show how much we've learned, because we know Juan and team will be stoked to see our progression; they love getting people out...