Gorge Downwind Paddling Champs 2025

Early 2025 I bought myself a new Outrigger Canoe (OC1) as paddling OC has been on my list for years to get into the sport as part of my “be just above average” approach to life. Once I secured my new canoe I hit Newport Harbor once or twice a week to get used to the sport and get paddle fit, but most of my training was on flat water. I’d also registered for the Gorge Downwind Champs which was a race on my bucket list, but I had missed out on as it sells out in minutes each year, so I ended up on the waitlist.

A few months later I got the email saying I was off the waitlist and would I like to register and I was like “Fuck Yeah”! So I signed up and let Schulein know who was unsure whether he would compete or not, but we both committed. I then quickly realized that I had some work to do to get prepped for a very technical race in a wild river known for its awesome downwinding conditions and with hundreds of top paddlers from around the world. My work and family commitments didn’t let me get enough time in the ocean to prepare me for the chopping/windy/wavy condition that the Gorge is known for.

We arrived into Portland and made our way to Stevenson, race headquarters on the Washington side of the Columbia River. The week was full of challenges, both weather conditions and my lack of downwinding experience, amongst other priorities and my lower back’s unhappiness with this new sport that it had to endure. However I was able to paddle each day and learn ALOT about downwinding in a canoe. Considering I had a slipped disc and in crazy pain, I hardened the fuck up and was pretty stoked to finish the race course and already looking forward to my next paddling adventure.