This summer, one of the most iconic downwind venues in the world is set to welcome the return of a true stand up paddle challenge. The legendary Columbia River Gorge will once again host a dedicated SUP race as becomes the starting point for a demanding 17-mile endurance run from Home Valley Park to Bingen Harbor.
Organized by Bodie von Allmen, the event marks a fresh take on the historic Gorge paddle races—this time with an ultra-distance format designed exclusively for stand up paddlers. Timed to coincide with the first day of Downwind Champs week, the race offers visiting athletes the chance to combine two major paddling experiences in one trip.
Competitors will launch from Home Valley and race east through the heart of the Gorge, a stretch famous for producing some of the most consistent downwind conditions on the planet. While no wind race comes with guarantees, the chosen timing lands in peak season, giving paddlers the best possible chance of scoring world-class bumps and fast glides.
Adding to the challenge, racers must reach Drano Lake—roughly seven miles from the start—within 90 minutes or be taken off the water, ensuring a competitive and safety-conscious format.
Perhaps most notably, this will be a SUP-only event. In an era where many paddle races combine multiple disciplines, the Gorge Ultra aims to put stand up paddling back in the spotlight. It is a nod to the golden years of SUP racing in the United States, when dedicated SUP events drew big participation, strong rivalries, and full community focus.
For athletes and fans alike, this could be one of the most exciting pure SUP races of the summer.
We have some great memories of the last true SUP Race at The Gorge prior to the pandemic and the general shift in the SUP SPORT.
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Those were some truly glorious days of SUP Racing when all the OGs were still active. Now days we depend on the goodwill and support of our readers to keep going with the work we do.
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