$18,000 Plus in Prize Money at Columbia Gorge Race

HOOD RIVER, Oregon - The Columbia Gorge Paddle Challenge (CGPC) is a Festival celebrating the sport of Stand Up Paddling in the spectacular Columbia River Gorge. The 2012 Gorge Paddle Challenge will be held on August 18th & 19th and will once again feature a Distance Downwind Race, a Course Race, a Team Relay Race and a recreational, non-competitive Paddle for the Park which is a fundraiser for the new Hood River Waterfront Park. In addition, there will be SUP exhibits from many companies, free SUP lessons and demos, live music and more!

The inaugural 2011 Gorge Paddle Challenge was held in near perfect conditions at the Hood River Waterfront Park. The Event was a huge success, with tremendous positive feedback from the athletes, sponsors and spectators. With over $15,000 in prize money given away the CGPC became one of the top prize money races in the US.

The 2012 CGPC will feature over $18,000 in prize money and will be the World Paddle Association's Northwest Championship. The top three finishers in each age class of the Open Division will be awarded unique event trophies. Overall Waterman and Waterwoman will be awarded to the top male and female finishers in the combined Downwind Distance Race and Course Race.

Anyone who attended the 2011 Paddle Challenge enjoyed the spectacular venue of the Hood River Waterfront Park, also the site of the 2012 Paddle Challenge. The park features a crescent-shaped beach for the starting and staging areas, great stadium style viewing area for spectators, large grass area for the vendor tents, onsite restrooms, and plenty of parking. It is also a great place for children, with a play site, marimba, and climbing wall, all within walking distance to downtown Hood River.

The Course and Relay Races will take place in close proximity to the spectators, making for a super exciting event for everyone. The competitors will come into a close buoy turn yards from the water front beach. The Downwind Distance Race is the Gorge's signature downwinder, starting at Viento State Park and finishing 8.5 miles upriver at the Waterfront Park in Hood River. The Distance Race will take competitors up the mighty Columbia River through the heart of the spectacular Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area. The Gorge is famous for its strong summer west winds, commonly in the 25-40 knot range, making for an exciting Downwind Race, with large river swells.

Once again, the Paddle Challenge will partner with Columbia Riverkeeper, who last year hosted a wonderful salmon bake dinner and live music for all athletes Saturday evening at the Park. Riverkeeper does an amazing job in water quality efforts on the Columbia and the organizers of the Paddle Challenge are proud to be associated with the organization. Additionally, the Event serves as a fundraiser for the Waterfront Community Park Association.

Find more information about the Columbia Gorge Paddle Challenge here: www.gorgepaddlechallenge.com

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