Gorge Downwind Champs

• July 11th to 16th 2022

• Skamania County Fairgrounds

• Unused Deferrals Good

• Registration live in January 

Gorge Downwind Champs

Quick Reference – Map Links - Download here

• Race HQ , Downwind Village, Vendors, Camping - Skamania County Fair Grounds

  • 11:00 to 3:30 Check in

  • 3:30 to 7:30 Beer Garden

  • Camping is first come first serve.

  • Wednesday – 4:00 to 7:00 Number Hand out – mandatory.

  • Saturday – 5:00pm – Awards Ceremony

​​

• Race Start and Daily Shuttle Pickup – Home Valley Park

  • 11:30 to 4:30 Daily. Buses pick up here and will drive you back to race HQ at the fairgrounds

  • Race Day – 9:00am to 10:30 check in

  • 10:30 Mandatory pre race meeting

  • 11:15 ish Race heats start

​​

• Race Finish – Hood River Waterfront Park

  • Finish the Race. Get your Pizza, then head back to Race HQ at the Fairgrounds.

  • Preset your shuttle. No Bus or post party permits issued for Hood River. So Sorry :(

​​

• Race Bail Out – Drano Lake

  • Go to the Boat ramp. Bus here.

​

NOTE: Our permit at the Race finish in Hood river is no Party, no busses, no reserved lots. We are acutely aware this is a bummer. We cannot provide race day or daily shuttles to Hood River. Please do not beat us up with suggestions to have shuttle busses after race or daily there or an after party/awards there..... Took many miracles to make this happen in Hood River at all. 

Daily Schedule

Monday

• 11:00am – 3:30pm – Skamania County - Race HQ – Racer Check in

  • You must check in before you can ride the busses or partake in the event

• 11:30am to 4:30pm – Shuttles running

• 3:30pm – 7:30pm – Skamania County Fair Grounds Beer Garden Tent – Beer Garden Open

​​

Tuesday

• 11:00am – 3:30pm – Skamania County - Race HQ – Racer Check in

• 11:30am to 4:30pm – Shuttles running

• 3:30pm – 7:30pm – Skamania County Fair Grounds Beer Garden Tent – Beer Garden Open

​​

Wednesday

• 11:00am – 3:30pm – Skamania County - Race HQ – Racer Check in

  • You must check in before you can ride the busses or partake in the event

• 11:30am to 4:30pm – Shuttles running

• 3:30pm – 7:30pm – Skamania County Fair Grounds Beer Garden Tent – Beer Garden Open

• 4:00pm – 7:00pm – Skamania County Fair Grounds Beer Picnic Shelter – Racer Number Handout

  • THIS IS MANDATORY – You will not get timed if you do not pick up your chip. A friend can do it for you if you need.

​​

Race Day – THURSDAY

 

• 7:45am - Partner up with your buddies and set shuttle. Leave a car in Hood River

  • See Map. It will take you 30 minutes to drive from Hood River to Home Valley.

    • You will need to use City Parking. Make sure you pay. They do ticket

    • There should be many spots in the AM

    • Do not park behind the business.

• 9:00am – Arrive at Home Valley for Pre Race check-in – See Map

• 10:30am – Mandatory Safety Talk – Home Valley

  • You MUST wear your Jersey – This is our primary way to find you on the river.

• 11:15ish – SUP Start from the Beach

• 11:25ish – Water Start – All women OC and SKI, All Double OCs and SKIs

• 11:35ish – Water Start – All male Skis

• 11:45ish – Water Start – All Male OC’s

• 1:00 to 3:00 (when you finish in Hood River)

  • Mandatory – Hand in your race number at the takeout

• Permits were extremely limited at Hood River. When you finish the race. Get your piece of Pizza and a drink of water at the finisher tents, then head back to Skamania Fair Grounds for proper party.

• Because we cannot stay in Hood River. The Awards ceremony will be 5:00pm On Saturday regardless of what day the race is held. Results will be posted race day.

 

Friday

• 11:30am to 4:30pm – Shuttles running (if not race day)

• 3:30pm – 7:30pm – Skamania County Fair Grounds Beer Garden Tent – Beer Garden Open

​​

Saturday

• 11:30am to 4:30pm – Shuttles running (if not race day)

• 5:00pm – 7:30pm – Skamania County Fair Grounds Beer Garden Tent – Awards Ceremony

​

Race Awards / Payouts

• The Top 5 paddlers in each division (M/F. OC, SKI, SUP) are removed from age groups. 

• The Top 5 finishers in Male / Female SKI and OC each get $300

• The Top 3 Finisher in Male / Female SKI, SUP and OC get free 2022 entry

• The Top 5 Paddlers in Male / Female SKI, SUP, OC all will be permanently honored in our best trophy ever.  #Priceless 

• Breaks our hearts, but, there are only 6 SUP paddlers confirmed.  A division needs 1 craft sponsor and 20 entrants to qualify for cash prizes. We truly hope to achieve this in 2022.

​

Maps

The Gorge Downwind Champs is a week-long festival of downwind paddling held annually in the Columbia River Gorge which is conveniently located 1 hour from Portland Oregon. The main solo event will be held  either Thurs, Fri or Saturday based on best wind. 

 

Participants must arrive Wednesday night or early Thursday AM to ensure they do not miss the main event. There are divisions for OUTRIGGERSs, SUPs and SURFSKIs. 

 

Consistent summer winds, Simple fast shuttles, variable terrain from insane to beginner, hot temps and fresh water make it one of the top downwind locations on the planet. It is no accident the Columbia River Gorge is already the #1 wind surfing and kite boarding destination in the world.

 

Outside of the event there are endless other opportunities for world class family fun including horseback riding, cycling on and off road, downhill skiing in July, hiking, white water rafting, fishing, mountain climbing, vineyards, micro brews, windsurfing, kite boarding, hot air balloons, zip lines and a lot more.

 

​​