Gorge Downwind Champs
USAORCA Champs OC1 / OC2 National Champs
2025 USA ICF Canoe Ocean Racing (COR) Surfski National Championships
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CLICK HERE FOR WAIT LIST
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SOLD OUT - 1015 in the first 24 hours of registration. We will open the waitlist​​​​​
once if number drops below 850
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** Remember if you purchased the refundable ticket it must be exercised before 6/30/2025 **
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Gorge Downwind Champs
Locations
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Race HQ , Downwind Village, Vendors, Camping - Skamania County Fair Grounds
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10:00 to 2:30 Check in
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3:30 to 7:30 Beer Garden
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Camping is first come first serve.
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Wednesday – 4:00 to 7:00 Number Hand out – mandatory.
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Awards Ceremony race day
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Daily Shuttle Pickup – Home Valley Park
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11:30 to 4:30 Daily. Buses pick up here and will drive you back to race HQ at the fairgrounds
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10:30 Mandatory pre race meeting
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11:15 ish Race heats start
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2024 - TBD - Race Finish – Targeting Hood River Waterfront Park
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Finish the Race. then head back to Race HQ at the Fairgrounds.
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Preset your shuttle. No Bus or post party permits issued for Hood River. So Sorry :(
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Go to the Boat ramp. Bus here.
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Daily Schedule
Monday
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10:00 to 2:30 – Skamania County - Race HQ – Racer Check in
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You must check in before you can ride the busses or partake in the event
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11:30am to 4:30pm – Shuttles running
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3:30pm – 7:30pm – Skamania County Fair Grounds Beer Garden Tent – Beer Garden Open
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Tuesday
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10:00 to 2:30 – Skamania County - Race HQ – Racer Check in
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11:30am to 4:30pm – Shuttles running
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3:30pm – 7:30pm – Skamania County Fair Grounds Beer Garden Tent – Beer Garden Open
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Wednesday
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10:00 to 2:30 – Skamania County - Race HQ – Racer Check in
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You must check in before you can ride the busses or partake in the event
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11:30am to 4:30pm – Shuttles running
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3:30pm – 7:30pm – Skamania County Fair Grounds Beer Garden Tent – Beer Garden Open
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4:00pm – 6:30pm – Skamania County Fair Grounds Beer Picnic Shelter – Racer Number Handout
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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.
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There is no race morning pickup​
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Y
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RACE DAY (NOTE: May be Th, Fr or Sat)
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7:45am - Partner up with your buddies and set shuttle. Leave a car at race finish
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Full Details coming soon
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8:30am – Arrive at Race Start to get ready
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10:00 – Mandatory Safety Talk - Pre Race Meeting
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You MUST wear your Jersey – This is our primary way to find you on the river.
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11:00ish – No Time Start from the Beach:00
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11:10ish – SUP Start from the Beach
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11:20ish – Water Start – All women OC and SKI, All Double OCs and SKIs
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11:30ish – Water Start – All male OC’s
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11:40ish – Water Start – All Male Skis
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1:00 to 3:00 (when you finish in Hood River)
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Mandatory – Hand in your race number at the takeout
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Afterparty 6:00 to 730 PM - After the race. - Skamania Fair Grounds
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NOTE: Awards are Saturday 5-7pm
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Thursday - if not race day
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​11:30am to 4:30pm – Shuttles running
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3:30pm – 7:30pm – Skamania County Fair Grounds Beer Garden Tent – Beer Garden Open
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Friday - if not race day
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​11:30am to 4:30pm – Shuttles running
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3:30pm – 7:30pm – Skamania County Fair Grounds Beer Garden Tent – Beer Garden Open
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Saturday - if not race day
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11:30am to 4:30pm – Shuttles running
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3:30pm – 7:30pm – Skamania County Fair Grounds Beer Garden Tent – Beer Garden Open
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5:00pm - 7:00pm - Awards and Closing Ceremony
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Race Awards / Payouts
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The Top 5 paddlers in each division (M/F. OC, SKI) are removed from age groups and are eligible for cash payouts. - Pro division
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1st and 2nd place pro finishers in the Male / Female SKI and OC each get minimum $500
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3rd, 4th and 5th place pro finishers in the Male / Female SKI and OC each get minimum $300
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As we get more sponsors, we hope to grow this number. Stay tuned.
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Maps
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Events at the Gorge Canoe Club Beer Garden
COMMING SOON
Exhibit Hall at the Skamania County Fairgrounds, Stevenson, WA
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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.
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