USA SUP - The 2025 Gorge Paddle Challenge

USA SUP NEWS

The 2025 Gorge Paddle Challenge

Mon, September 01, 2025 6:16 PM | Linda McCoy (Administrator)

The 2025 Gorge Paddle Challenge by a complete downwind Noobie!

by Tricia Lyons - NorthWest Regional Rep

I arrived early in the week to pick up my downwind board that I rented from Gorge Performance. I was invited to their local Wednesday night race that did NOT disappoint both in attendees (Christian "The Polar Bear" Anderson) and windy conditions! Over 2 dozen locals and some of us out of town-ers showed up for their Wacky Wednesday race, followed by an amazing SUP community pot luck dinner.

I was then invited by Kathleen Shaw and Dan Miller, to do a downwind run Thursday as practice before the race. WOW that was quite the experience! My first Viento run! Who better to coach me than The Sup Doctor himself?

He informed me that was some of the biggest wind he’d seen there in over a month. I went in many times haha, but was able to get going and catch some bumps pretty quickly. SO MUCH FUN!

The Gorge Challenge was held over the weekend August 16th and 17th in Hood River Oregon, one of the world’s most epic downwind locations, the Columbia Gorge.

The race offered Wing Foiling, SUP Foiling, SUP, Prone, Surfski and Outrigger Canoe divisions. With Pro divisions in Wing Foiling and SUP downwind as well as an Open Division in all races.