Situated at the foot of Mount Hood and nestled at the confluence of the Hood and Columbia Rivers, Hood River is today one of the most important destinations on the North American SUP circuit. A water sports hub par excellence, Hood River has historically been a haven for kiteboard, windsurf, kayak and whitewater enthusiasts, and it has more recently become the training ground for Stand Up Paddle racers like Fiona Wylde and Dan Gavere, among others. Indeed, Gavere calls Hood River home and has long since used it as his Whitewater SUP paddling playground, contributing to the local paddle scene by engaging in whitewater activities on Columbia River in a breathtaking pine forest canyon setting so typical of the American Northwest. Wylde, a top international woman athlete is a Hood River native, practicing for all major competitions in the changeable and exciting downwind conditions of the Columbia River and the wooded Oregon waterways.
Famous for the recreational activities and healthy lifestyle of its inhabitants and visitors alike, Hood River attracts outdoor sports fanatics from all across the country. Though not a native Riverite herself, SUP professional and NRG Founder Nikki Gregg calls it home. She is famed for vaunting, among the many merits of living in the Oregon town, the sheer wealth of outdoor activities it is possible take part in in Hood River, from SUP to kayaking, not to mention sternwheel, which is something Hood River is particularly known for. Reflecting the growth of water-based sports in the locality in recent years, there has been a noteworthy proliferation of stand up paddle board purveyors and manufacturers in town, as well as SUP rental shops and vendors of all kinds of water sports equipment and apparel.
Local training programmes and regional players have been instrumental in promoting SUP, and perhaps none more so than Big Winds. Founded by Steve Gates 30 years ago, the Hood River-based windsurfing, kiteboarding and stand up paddle accessory store also runs junior programs for youngsters interested in improving their paddling skills. This has even produced some of today’s elite racers, including Fiona Wylde herself and Sophia DeWolf, to name but a few. The local SUP scene truly reaches its climax with each edition of the annual Columbia Gorge Paddle Challenge. Every year, hundreds of national and international SUP racers descend on Hood River to take part in the various races and challenges involved in the competition, which includes downwind distance races and several elite courses in which participants compete for a cash purse. The whole community is brought together to admire the sporting talent on show, all against a stunning and bucolic backdrop that Hood River natives have become so accustomed to.
Welcome to the dedicated 2024 ICF SUP Worlds page! Here, you’ll find the latest updates on one of the year’s biggest SUP events, taking place in Sarasota, Florida, from 20 to 24 November. As the official media partner for this landmark event, TotalSUP is here to keep you updated on all the action, from thrilling […]
With downwind foiling booming all across the globe, Starboard has unveiled two groundbreaking products just in time for two major international Downwind SUP Foil events in France – the Crozon Foil Festival and LAST Les Ailes de Saint Tropez. The Ace Foil Lightning board and the Foil Blade are designed to push the limits of […]
Anik Wild, the co-founder of Tahoe Watermans Landing, provides an insightful glimpse into Lake Tahoe’s allure as a premier destination for Stand Up Paddling and other paddle sports. With its stunning alpine landscapes and crystal-clear waters, Lake Tahoe offers a unique setting for paddling enthusiasts year-round. Anik’s journey from a career in ski racing to […]
Jay Wild, a prominent figure in the US paddling community for close to 20 years, offers insights into the thrilling 2024 Tahoe Downwind Championships, set for August 17. This event, the second stop of the prestigious Tahoe Waterman Paddle Racing Series, promises an exhilarating challenge for all ocean paddle craft enthusiasts. With the breathtaking backdrop […]
As the 2024 SUP racing season reaches its midpoint, we sit down with Hoichan Kwon, head of SUP Racing at the International Canoe Federation (ICF). Reflecting on a thrilling first half of the year, Hoichan highlights the successful integration of opportunities for juniors and the significant turnout at key events, such as the Spring SUP […]
As an industrial engineer with a passionate love for the ocean, Mark Travers the current owner of Honu paddle boards believes that the lifestyle of stand up paddling creates something magical that everyone should be able to experience. Every product is designed from the ground up, carefully considering every detail, component and construction method. Each […]
The 2024 Infinity Speedfreak squad has been boosted with several new singings for 2024 including a young, ambitious racer from North America, Campbell Carter. If you do not recognise his name then Chris from TotalSUP can help you get to know this future SUP star. Hi Campbell, welcome to TotalSUP! Thanks, Chris. It’s great to […]
The long anticipated wait for Starboard’s 2024 new race SUP line up is finally over! We welcome back Starboard’s SUP Brand Manager Ollie O’Reilly to reveal the new and improved race board models – the beloved All Star and Sprint boards. The Tiki brand continues to thrive going into the 2024 season especially with these […]
Presenting the formidable lineup of the Starboard Dream Team for the 2024 SUP season, where champions collide and new talents emerge. Anchored by seasoned SUP Race and SUP Surf World Champions Esperanza Barreras, Fiona Wylde, Connor Baxter, Michael Booth, Noic Garioud, Benoit Carpentier, and Zane Schweitzer this powerhouse ensemble promises thrilling competition and unparalleled skill […]
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