2022 SIC Gorge Challenge Dates!

We are happy to announce the new dates of the 2022 SIC Gorge Challenge, Presented by Salt Life will be held on July 22-24, 2022.  We are especially excited to conduct the SIC Gorge Challenge to celebrate the life of Steve Gates and the event that he brought to life.

There will be a few changes with the event, one being the event name, now the Gorge Challenge given the addition of the Wing Foiling and foiling divisions. We also moved up the date with the SIC Gorge Challenge to July since the wind is typically more consistent and it also allows for those competing the week before in the Gorge to stay in the Gorge. The SIC Gorge Challenge will also offer a Pro division in the Wing Foiling races along with a Open division in Wing Foiling with course heats to be conducted on Friday, July 22^nd.  The top finishers in the Pro and Open heat races will advance to the Finals on Sunday along with a consolation final. Prize money will also be offered with a minimum of $5,000.00 total prize purse for the Pro Sup and the Wing Foiling races.  Prize money may increase given the total number of entries in the Pro classes.

We are also excited to 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 and his team’s vision, we would not have had this great event to enjoy.

Please go to the Columbia Gorge Paddle Challenge Facebook page and Instagram page for updates and Paddleguru.com to registration. We are excited to see everyone July 22-24, 2022!