by Tricia Lyons - NorthWest Regional Rep
The 2026 Gorge Downwind Champs was an absolute masterclass in extreme conditions, community spirit, and personal triumph. Held from July 13 to 18 at the Skamania County Fairgrounds in Stevenson, Washington, this iconic event drew over 850 elite competitors across SUP, surfski, and outrigger canoe disciplines. With its trademark combination of warm summer temperatures, fresh water, and ferocious 50+ mph gusts, the Columbia River Gorge proved exactly why it is widely considered one of the premier downwind paddling destinations on earth.
As a paddler who primarily trains on flat water, stepping into the Gorge during one of its most violent weather windows was the ultimate test of nerves. I entered the competition with zero expectations, simply wanting to immerse myself in the community and challenge my limits alongside the sport's finest athletes.
Mother Nature delivered a wild ride on Thursday’s race day, serving up the heaviest winds of the entire week. Listening to the race director outline the intense conditions and safety hazards on the shore forced a moment of serious self-reflection. The risks were real, but my confidence held steady: I knew I was capable.
The race got off to a chaotic start when the green flag flew 11 minutes earlier than expected, leaving many of us scrambling to realize we were officially on the clock. Not long into the chaotic start, my board struck a dense patch of river weed, instantly throwing me into the water. After recovering and working my way into the main current, the true scale of the river became clear. By the halfway mark, the conditions had built into an absolute beast.
In the midst of the chaos, the true spirit of the paddling community took precedence over any clock. Spotting an outrigger canoe (OC) paddler who had capsized and was visibly struggling, I paused my own race for roughly 10 minutes to assist. As 6-to-8-foot rollers continually knocked her off balance every time she attempted to remount, I stayed firmly positioned to provide a safety buffer until she successfully climbed back in and caught her glide.
Navigating those massive 8-foot bumps was an intoxicating mix of pure adrenaline and absolute joy. Whether standing tall or dropping to a safer kneeling position, catching a massive ridge of water and flying down the river brought out sheer, unadulterated "woo-hoo" screams. The extreme wind pushed my board forward with effortless velocity. While my flat-water background meant I didn't connect the glides as seamlessly as the local downwind specialists, the pure fun of the environment was unmatched.
The final stretch presented one last grueling obstacle. The wind howled so fiercely away from the finish gate that I was forced to drop to my knees just to claw my way across the line—a humbling, exhausting moment fully captured on the official race video. Cold, spent, and profoundly grateful to hit dry land, I was rescued at the shoreline by a fellow paddler, Meryl, who grabbed my board so I could escape into a warm car to dry off.
The final surprise came at the awards ceremony. Not only had I survived the massive conditions, but I actually landed on the podium, securing 2nd place in the highly competitive Women's Masters 50+ division.
The week was an unforgettable, beautiful reminder of why it is so rewarding to step outside of your comfort zone and learn something entirely new. This event belongs at the very top of every paddler’s bucket list. A massive thank you goes out to the incredible army of volunteers who coordinated the seamless gear shuttles all week, as well as the organizers who kept everyone safe on a historic day on the river. I am already counting down the days until next year's return to the Gorge.
