The 13th edition of the iconic SIC Gorge Challenge, presented by Salt Life, will be held on 19-21 July at one of the worlds best downwind locations – Hood River, OR.
The SIC Gorge Challenge is celebrating the life of Steve Gates and the event that he brought to life. To continue with Steve Gates vision of evolving the event and sport, the 2024 SIC Gorge Challenge will offer all paddle divisions, Foiling and Wing Foiling for the fourth consecutive year.  Pro divisions will be offered in the SUP Pro races and Wing Foiling races and there will be an Open division Wing Foiling in the downwind and course races. Prize money will be offered to the Pro Sup and the Pro Wing Foiling divisions.
Wing Foilers, Please note: If the forecast for wind does not look favourable for the Sunday course races, be prepared to race at 3:30pm on Saturday.
The SIC Gorge Challenge will also offer an overall Open class SUP award that combines the downwind and course races for Men, Women and Juniors (15-17). The Open overall award will be included with the Steve Gates memorial award for the overall winners.
In 2011, Steve Gates and his team at Big Winds brought the Columbia Gorge Paddle Challenge to life in Hood River. Since then, the SIC Gorge Challenge has become one of the most beloved and competitive races in the country and the world. If not for Steve’s vision, we would not have had this great event to enjoy.
Please note: If wind conditions become excessive and a competitor may feel that they are not confident to compete, please go to the registration area to claim a refund for your entry fee with no questions asked. The organisers want everyone to have a great experience at the SIC Gorge Challenge.
LOCATION: Waterfront Park- 650 Portway Ave, Hood River, OR 97031
The venue for the SIC GPC is Hood River’s Waterfront Park. The park features a crescent-shaped beach for the starting and staging areas, great stadium style viewing area for spectators, large grass area for the vendor tents, onsite restrooms, and plenty of parking. It is also a great place for children, with a play site, marimba, and climbing wall, all within walking distance to downtown Hood River.
Schedule: All times and events tentative until Saturday, 20 July at 8am
Friday, 19 July
12 – 2pm – Kids Event, led by Fiona Wylde & Team SIC
3 – 4:30pm – BIG WINDS Registration & packet pick-up
6-9pm SIC Welcome Party @ Kickstand Hood River: Competitor packets can also be picked up on race day
Saturday, 20 July
8:00am – Registration Opens/Check-in – All Classes – at Waterfront Park
9:00am – Registration Closes – All Classes
9:00am – Wing Foil/Paddlers Skippers Meeting – All Classes – Waterfront Park at Stage
10:30am – Pro/Open Wing Foiling Downwind Start – Viento State Park
10:35am OC-1, OC-2, SurfSki, Prone Start – Viento State Park
10:40pm – Open Men/Juniors/Groms Open Downwind Start – Viento State Park
10:45pm – Open Women/Juniors/Groms SUP Downwind Start – Viento State Park
11:15am – Elite Men/Women SUP Downwind Start – Viento State Park
2:00pm – Sup Foil Downwind Start – Viento State Park
Wing Foiling Course Races – Pending Wind on Sunday
3:45pm – Open Wing Foiling Course race – Waterfront Park
4:30pm – Pro Wing Foiling Course race – Waterfront Park
5:30pm – Awards Ceremony – Waterfront Park Stage
Sunday, 21 July
8:00am – Registration Opens – All Classes – Waterfront Park
9:00am – Registration Closes – All Classes
9:00am – Course Race Skippers Meeting – Waterfront Park Stage
1:30pm – Open Wing Foiling Course race – Waterfront Park Beach
2:15pm – Pro Wing Foiling Course race – Waterfront Park Beach
3:30pm – SIC Relay – Waterfront Park Beach
4:30pm – Awards Ceremony – Waterfront Park Stage
Register for the event here
Courses:
Downwind Course
Downwind distance: This event shows of the beauty and excitement of the Gorge. Racers will be challenged by the mighty Columbia with howling winds, waves and current in an 8-mile downwind leg from Viento State Park to the Waterfront Park. The course will take approximately 1ÂĽ hours for the leaders. The finish line will be on the beach at the Waterfront Park.
Downwind race, competitors must stay to the north side or left of the 1st turning mark, the  buoy 32, on north side of Wells Island, and then the final mark in front of the Waterfront Park on their right shoulder and proceed to the finish line on the beach.
The Elite SUP downwind race will be for the top athletes. There are no age categories, just Men’s and Women’s classes. Elite competitors are restricted to a board length maximum of 14′ & under with a fixed fin.
The parking lot at Viento State Park — the start for the Downwind Races — has limited parking, we strongly suggest carpooling boards to the start for the Downwind Races. There will be an opportunity for competitors to arrange shuttling immediately after the Skipper’s Meeting on the morning of the race.
Leashes and PFD’s are mandatory for all competitors in the downwind race. PFD’s are required by law for all racers at all times in all races. Failure to comply with these rules will result in disqualification from the race. Race jerseys are required for all competitors.
Elite Course MapÂ
The course race will be held at the Waterfront Park providing a great chance for spectators to see the world’s top athletes, friends or family compete in a multi-lap course race. Competitors will make several laps around an approximately one mile course, all visible from the Waterfront Park. The prevailing wind is from the west making this course challenging for the competitors and exciting for the spectators. The finish will be on the beach inside the Waterfront Park.
The Elite Course Race is open to all athletes who want to compete at the highest level and for the cash purse. The Elite Class shall be restricted to a maximum board length of 14′ & under with a fixed fin. Competitors may use different boards for the Downwind Race and Course Race.
PFD’s are mandatory for all competitors at all times in all races. PFD’s & LEASHES are mandatory for all competitors entered in the Downwind race.
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The 13th edition of the iconic SIC Gorge Challenge, presented by Salt Life, will be held on 19-21 July at one of the worlds best downwind locations – Hood River, OR.
