The Columbia River Gorge is a geological formation carved by glaciers and the Columbia River, running roughly 80 miles between Oregon and Washington, and Tom Anderson explained why it has become a magnet for outdoor athletes. Anderson owns Burnewiin, an outdoor apparel company he founded in 2015, and he moved to the Gorge in the mid-1990s for its world-class windsurfing before staying for the fishing, mountain biking, and skiing. In this conversation he breaks down the wind, the fishery, and how a personal gear problem turned into a brand.
Watch the full conversation on YouTube or listen to the episode now.
The Columbia River Gorge is a natural wind tunnel where the river flows through and the cliffs funnel the wind. When there is a pressure differential between the Pacific and the interior of the continent in summer, phenomenal west winds blow at 20 to 50 knots, which is what makes the Gorge one of the world's premier windsurfing destinations.
The Columbia River is one of the most prolific salmon and steelhead fisheries in the world. Anderson can target Chinook salmon, Coho salmon, Chum salmon, and steelhead through the year, with different species running in different seasons: Coho and Chum in fall, steelhead in winter, Chinook in spring, and summer steelhead runs.
Burnewiin is an outdoor apparel company founded by Tom Anderson in 2015, specializing in technical gear designed for Pacific Northwest conditions. The company makes base layers, insulated jackets, wind and rain shells, gloves, and hats using merino wool and synthetic materials for the wet, cold, windy environments of water and mountains alike.
Tom Anderson moved to the Columbia River Gorge in the mid-1990s, in his early twenties. He was drawn initially by the world-class windsurfing but stayed for the incredible fishing, mountain biking, and skiing the region offers, and he was there before the area's development boom.
The Gorge offers world-class windsurfing and kitesurfing, salmon and steelhead fishing, hundreds of miles of mountain biking trails, skiing near Mount Hood, rock climbing, kayaking, whitewater rafting, and trail running. The area has built a vibrant outdoor recreation economy with guides, outfitters, breweries, and retail supporting all of it.
Anderson started Burnewiin because he could not find base-layer shorts designed for windsurfing and other water sports, so he made his own. When people saw what he was wearing and asked where to get them, he realized he was onto something, and the line expanded organically into other base layers, jackets, shells, and accessories.
What struck me most about Anderson is how he has built a life around the things that matter to him: being outside, challenging himself, and creating products that solve real problems. I wanted him on because he saw a problem, inadequate base-layer shorts for water sports, and instead of complaining about it, he solved it and built a business. The way he talks about balancing work with outdoor pursuits is something a lot of us can relate to and aspire to, and the Gorge itself sounded incredible.
Most people do not think about geography when they think about windsurfing, but Anderson explained that the Gorge's formation makes it one of the world's premier locations. The cliffs funnel wind through the river corridor, and when there is a pressure differential between the Pacific and the interior, you get phenomenal west winds. He described days with 20, 30, 40, even 50-knot winds combined with a gorgeous river and all the amenities. Hear what first drew him to the Gorge in the episode.
Anderson's passion for windsurfing started around age ten, visiting cousins in Southern California, and he remembers thinking it was the coolest thing he had ever done even though he was not very good. The feel of the wind and the challenge grabbed him and never let go. Growing up in California gave him access to world-class spots, but when he realized the Gorge was the premier destination, he moved his whole life there. Listen to the full story of his windsurfing journey.
Watch the full episode or listen now to hear the rest.
Anderson founded Burnewiin in 2015 after years of planning, and it started because he could not find base-layer shorts designed for windsurfing and other water sports, so he made his own. When people asked where to buy them, a business was born, and it expanded into other base layers, long underwear, shirts, insulated jackets, shells, gloves, and hats. Everything is built for wet, cold, windy Pacific Northwest conditions using merino wool and synthetics. Hear his vision for the brand.
Windsurfing brought Anderson to the Gorge, but the fishing made him stay. The Columbia is one of the most prolific salmon and steelhead fisheries in the world, with Chinook, Coho, and Chum salmon plus steelhead running across the seasons, all within a morning's trip from home. He fishes by boat, from shore, and by wading, using spinners, spoons, plugs, and the fly rod, and he admits fly fishing holds a special place for its meditative quality. Hear him describe the fishery.
The day after this one, what I appreciated most about Anderson was his authenticity. He is not trying to be something he is not. He saw a problem and solved it, and that entrepreneurial spirit is what builds lasting businesses and strong communities.
If you are interested in the Pacific Northwest, outdoor recreation, building a business around your passion, or world-class fishing and windsurfing, this episode delivers. Anderson gives you a complete picture of what makes the Gorge special and what it takes to thrive there. Listen to the whole thing.
Listen to the entire conversation here.
The Tom Rowland Podcast brings you long-form conversations with the most accomplished anglers, hunters, conservationists, and outdoor professionals in the game. Listen to every full-length Tom Rowland Podcast interview.
Tom Anderson is the owner of Burnewiin, an outdoor apparel company based in the Columbia River Gorge area of the Pacific Northwest. A lifelong outdoor enthusiast born in Colorado and raised in Northern California, Anderson moved to the Gorge in the mid-1990s drawn by the world-class windsurfing and stayed for the incredible fishing, mountain biking, and skiing. He founded Burnewiin in 2015 to create technical apparel designed specifically for wet, cold, windy Pacific Northwest conditions. You can learn more at burnewiin.com or follow @burnewiin.
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