Naish Columbia Gorge Paddle Challenge Announced
2015 Naish Columbia Gorge Paddle Challenge
WPA National Race
The World Paddle Association, proudly announces the addition of the Naish Columbia Gorge Paddle Challenge to the 2015 WPA National Race Series and the Salt Life Cup to be held on August 22 & 23, 2015 in Hood River, OR. The Naish Columbia Gorge Paddle Challenge has been a premier stand up paddle event since 2011 and a WPA sanctioned race for three years. The Naish Columbia Gorge Paddle Challenge will also offer double points as a WPA National race and the Salt Life Cup for 2015.
“We are excited to have the Naish Columbia Gorge Paddle Challenge become a WPA National race for 2015”, stated Doug Hopkins, event manager. Hopkins continues, “The World Paddle Association and the Naish Columbia Gorge Paddle Challenge share the same goals with providing a great experience for the participants and sponsors that includes a very unique location everyone can enjoy.”
The Naish Columbia Gorge Paddle Challenge is conducted on the Columbia Gorge in Hood River, OR. Hood River provides a unique challenge for all levels of competitors given the wind and current. The location offers calm water in the early portion of the day and then the winds that can average 20-25 mpg in the afternoon that will challenge the advanced paddler. Since the wind can blow very hard and the current is flowing the opposite direction, this creates very good chop and swell for downwind conditions. There is also a protected portion of the race location that allows races to be contested in less current and wind.
The race committee runs all types of races and clinics during the weekend with the Open race (3-4 miles) being held in the morning on Saturday, Elite technical course (5-6 miles) in the early afternoon and then the downwind race (7-8 miles) on Sunday. Kids races and clinics will be conducted on Friday, August 21st. Race schedule can change given the conditions and on each day.
WPA partner PaddleGuru will manage the registration and timing for the Naish Columbia Gorge Paddle Challenge along with managing the points throughout the year with the Salt Life Cup and the WPA National Race Series. Please look for event registration and information to be announced on www.gorgepaddlechallenge.com, www.worldpaddleassociation.com and www.paddleguru.com.
| 2015 WPA/Salt Life Cup National Race Series (Tentative) | ||||
| Check your local WPA region for detailed information | ||||
| Date | Region | Event | City | State |
| 1/24/2015 | 1 | Hanohano Huki Ocean Challenge | San Diego | CA |
| 4/25/2015 | 6 | Carolina CUP National Race | Wrightsville Beach | NC |
| 5/2/2015 | 5 | 16th Annual Key West Classic National Race | Key West | FL |
| 5/21/2015 | INTER | Coconut Cup SUP Festival | St. Croix | V.I. |
| 5/30/2015 | 9 | Soundsurfer Waterman’s Challenge | Westport | CT |
| 5/30/2015 | 1 | Hobie-Hennessey’s Waterman’s Challenge | Dana Point | CA |
| 6/6/2015 | 7 | Wet Feet/Blue Planet Surf National Race | Oahu | HI |
| 6/6/2015 | 1 | Santa Monica Pier National Race | Santa Monica | CA |
| 6/13/2015 | 8 | Endless SUP Race | Ashbury Park | NJ |
| 6/21/2015 | 10 | SUP n Surf Challenge National Race | Elkhart lake | WI |
| 7/11/2015 | 1 | Hennessey’s U.S. Paddleboard Festival | Redondo Beach | CA |
| 7/18/2015 | INTER | Canadian SUP Championships | Toronto, Ont | CAN |
| 8/22/2015 | 3 | Naish Columbia Gorge Paddle Challenge | Hood River | OR |
| TBA | WPA Paddle Championships | TBA | ||
| Pending National Race Locations to be announced: | ||||
| Region 2- N. Cal | ||||
| Region 12- Texas | ||||
| Region 14- TN/KY/GA | ||||