Compete with the worlds best athletes and at one of the worlds best downwind locations at the 2023 SIC Gorge Challenge, Presented by Salt Life will be held on July 21-23, 2023.  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.

As in past years and with Steve Gates vision of evolving the event and sport, the 2023 SIC Gorge Challenge will offer all paddle divisions, Foiling and Wing Foiling for the third 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 with a minimum of $7,000.00 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. Wing Foilers, Please NOTE, if the forecast for wind is not good 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 and his team’s vision, we would not have had this great event to enjoy.

If wind conditions become excessive and a competitor may feel that they are not confident to compete, go to the registration area and we will refund your entry fee, no questions asked. We want everyone to have a great experience at the SIC Gorge Challenge. Please go to the Gorge Paddle Challenge Facebook page and Instagram page for updates with the race schedule and event information. We are excited to see everyone July 21-23, 2023!