Bodie Von Allmen made himself a name in the SUP Sport as the Junior that does not paddle in the junior division. We remember meeting the Hoodriver local at the ICF Worlds in 2021 in Poland. The kid was fast and could have easily won junior divisions, instead he wanted to measure up the pros.
Fast forward to 2024, Bodie Von Allmen is building his career as competitive SUP Athlete and just qualified for Team USA go to the ISW Worlds in Denmark. Besides racing internationally Bodie also has a deep passion for the famous “Viento Run” in his hometown of Hoodriver. This renowned wind destination was home to one of the most iconic SUP Racees in History: The Gorge Paddle Challenge. This race attracted the global SUP elite for years and was one of the most important races for athletes to make podium.
Bodie grew right into this time and started competing there in 2015, pretty much at the height of SUP Downwind Racing. (SUP Race lovers can look at the results here. You will find some names you have not seen in a while).
Now 9 years later the beloved event had to be cancelled due to lack of… well that is what we are trying to find out and reached out to Bodie Von Allmen to hear what is going on and how he and some other people are not taking NO for an answer.
Aloha Bodie, thank you for your time. As we heard in the intro you competed the first time there in 2015. Can you give us a bit of your background at Hood River and how this event has shaped your passion for SUP Racing.
Living so close to such phenomenal downwind paddling conditions has been very influential in my love for the sport. The Gorge Paddle Challenge used to be one of the biggest races of the year and that allowed me to see all of the worlds best compete in my home state. This was very motivating, watching all of the pros race influenced me to want to get to that level one day. My first year competing in that event, I was one of the last kids to finish the kids race which I did illegally on my dads 14ft raceboard. I stuck with it and now almost 10 years later, I am where I’m at today.
As we heard, the 2024 event had to be canceled and you are in the process to pick up the pieces and hold an event regardless. Can you explain this a bit?
We appreciate your help spreading the word about our upcoming race very much! I`ll start by giving you some background on the history and significance of the event in years past. Pre-Covid, this beloved event was one of the most popular events for both pro and recreational paddlers alike. Formerly dubbed the Gorge Paddle Challenge, it was one of the biggest SUP races of the year attracting top paddlers from around the world.
In 2020 the event was cancelled due to the pandemic. The following year SIC sponsored the event but participation numbers were low, largely due to travel and vaccination restrictions. In 2022 and 2023 participation continued to dwindle and this year the race was cancelled altogether.
As a local who has loved competing in this for many years, I was deeply disappointed to hear the news (along with many other avid paddlers in the Portland/Gorge Area), so I decided to partner with fellow NSP rider, Dan Miller, Owner of Stoke on the Water, to salvage the event. That said, we will be hosting a double downwinder during the same window as Downwind Champs July 8-14. I have always thought it made a ton of sense to coordinate the timing for these two events as many of the same athletes come to the Gorge every year to enjoy the amazing downwinding conditions. Â
What do you think has caused the demising participation?
I believe the Gorge Paddle Challenge lost participants when foiling was added to the event. The double downwinder was eliminated which was by far the most unique and challenging aspect of the race. We want to get back the SUP roots of the event and provide the paddlers with the focus and attention it deserves. While foiling is growing in popularity in the Gorge, SUP is still a thriving sport ever growing in popularity, particularly internationally. Our community deserves an event focused solely on SUP and that is what we aim to do. The Gorge is one of the best places to downwind on the planet and it would be a shame not to host a “Grand Slam” style paddle event here. Perhaps with the proper funding next year we can help return the Gorge Paddle Challenge to its former glory.
Now looking at what you and your friends have in store, can you give us a quick update on what you guys are doing exactly?
Yes these are our specific plans:
Race Window: July 8th-14th.
The first race will start at 12:00 pm and the second at 3:00 pm. Both races are the same course, starting at Viento State Park from the water and finishing at waterfront park on the water. Race day will be called at least 24 hours in advance based on the wind forecast/conditions. Note: Race will not be on the same day as Downwind Champs.
Safety/Permits:
This is an unofficial event without permits or a safety team. Participants are to race at their own risk and should not go out in conditions they aren’t comfortable paddling in. Participants should not rely on a safety crew to be there if something goes wrong.
No Awards/Official Gathering:
Unfortunately since we had little time to raise funds or garner permits we will not be able to host an official gathering or awards ceremony following the race. If there are enough race entries, I`m hoping to give out prize money to the top finishers and gorge performance has agreed to provide additional prizes.
Thank you very much Bodie, we are all looking forward to your report after the race. Here at the Stand Up Magazin we always loved the Gorge Paddle Challenge and hope to be part of its rebirth.
History of “The Gorge Paddle Challenge”
The Gorge Paddle Challenge has a rich history. Our first records date back to 2011, sadly we missed a few years or at least can’t find them. Either way, The Gorge SUP Race comes from a time when Downwind Racing was the gold standard. Traditionally in August, the world SUP Elite migrated to Oregon after having spent July on Maui in anticipation of the M2O. After “The Gorge” most racers stuck around the US West Coast for the Battle of the Paddle in September.
Looking at the results below, we see that “The Gorge” produced some of the biggest names in the sport and created a legacy in SUP like only a few races have. The Double Downwinder became legendary and was a unique format as paddlers raced the “Viento Run” twice.
We had the privilege to be in Hoodriver back in 2019, pretty much the last year before the foil started its dominance in downwind destinations.
2020 CXL due to Covid.
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We hope Bodie can find a way to bring “The Gorge Paddle Challenge” back to its former glory days.