Aloha! Welcome.

The Gorge Outrigger Canoe Race is a 2 day paddling event featuring OC6 races, clinics and camping. Paddlers gather from British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, Hawaii and California to celebrate the culture of canoe paddling and years of friendship. Hosted by Waterwalker in the beautiful town of Stevenson, WA. 2024 marks our 26th anniversary and our goal is to make a memorable event. Join us July 6th 2024!

The Columbia River Gorge.

The Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area protects the spectacular canyon where the Columbia River cuts through the Cascade mountains – with cliffs and overlooks of Washington to the north and Oregon’s mountains and waterfalls to the south. The Gorge is unique in its natural and cultural history, as well as its designation as a National Scenic Area.

The wind primarily comes from the West, while the river runs East, creating steep bumps and a unique paddling experience.

Learn more about Stevenson, WA

Canoe Race.

Paddlers can expect a fun and challenging course on the river. The course is set to be a downwind course. The women will start in Stevenson, finish in Drano. The men will take the canoes from Drano to Bingen.

COURSE MAP

Our mission is to create an unforgettable event that brings our paddling community together in a beautiful scenic environment while inspiring a competitive race that challenges paddlers to bring their best.

 

News & Blog

2024 Gorge Race is ON!

May 13, 2024/by Gorge Race

Tunnel 5 Fire Update: Race is still ON

July 4, 2023/by Gorge Race

2023 Registration is OPEN

June 17, 2022/by Gorge Race

Update: The Gorge Race 2022 – It’s ON!

May 19, 2022/by Gorge Race
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Sign up for news & updates.

There’s a lot to love at The Gorge

Strong competition
Camp out
Explore The Area
UNLIMITED CANOES WELCOMED
Multiple Divisions
600

Paddlers expected

2 Days

Of free camping

21 Miles

Of downwind river action

RACE IS CURRENTLY SCHEDULED FOR JULY 6TH 2024

Join us for the weekend! 26th Annual Gorge Outrigger Canoe Race.

Add To Calendar

RACE COUNTDOWN

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  • Friday
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  • TBA
    Mandatory coaches/paddlers safety meeting at the picnic shelter.

    5:00-8:00pm
    Fairgrounds Picnic Shelter: Registration.

  • 6:00pm
    Awards will be back in Stevenson at the fairgrounds picnic shelter.

  • Saturday
  • {{content-1}}
  • 10:00am
    Fairgrounds: Mandatory OC6 Steersmen meeting (Men, Women, Mixed.)

    11:00am
    OC6 Women/Mixed race start: Stevenson waterfront
    OC6 Men will start 1/2 hr. after the final women’s/mixed canoe finishes at Drano Lake

  • 6:00pm
    Awards will be back in Stevenson at the fairgrounds picnic shelter.

  • Sunday
  • {{content-1}}
  • – Camping Sunday-Wednesday must be coordinated with the Parks And Recreation Department (office onsite)

  • 6:00pm
    Awards will be back in Stevenson at the fairgrounds picnic shelter.

Notice

BEFORE YOU REGISTER YOU WILL NEED:

1) Name of your team (s)
2) Division and Category team will race in
3) Credit Card for fee
4) After registration but before July 4th 2024, please have all your crew sign the online digital waivers AND have all paddlers sign the event waiver that you will present on printed paper during race packet pickup https://thegorgerace.com/2024-waivers/

Notice

RACE ENTRY WILL BE CAPPED AT 60 WOMEN/MIXED CREWS AND 40 MEN’S CREWS.
ALL REGISTRATION WILL CLOSE AT MIDNIGHT, THURSDAY, JULY 4th.

Notice

PFD’s are REQUIRED for all on-the-water events. No Exceptions!
Skirts are required on all OC6 canoes. PNWORCA rules apply. Safety boats will patrol the courses but crews are responsible for themselves – please be efficient at righting your canoes swiftly!

2024 REGISTRATION IS OPEN

REGISTER ON PACIFIC MULTISPORTS

RACE IS SCHEDULED FOR JULY 6TH 2024

DOWNLOAD 2024 WAIVERS

Download, Print, Sign (entire team) turn in at packet pickup. Be sure your forms have 2023 dates.

Important Event Information (updated for 2024)

Online Registration Only

  • There will be no “day of” registration, your teams must be registered via Online Registration. Please register early to guarantee your place.
  • Registration closes once full or Thursday July 4!
  • Race packet pickup Friday 5PM-8PM July 5th 2024
  • Pickup: Boat Numbers
  • Pickup: Race Jerseys (Mandatory to be worn by racers during the race)
  • Drop Off: Liability Waivers
  • If you are sharing a canoe READ THIS: Men’s boat number go on FIRST and UNDER the Women/Mix. Steerspersons confirm that the boat number has been changed at the exchange in Drano. Peel off the Women/Mix number to expose the Men’s number.

Course

  • See course map below. We have a downwind course. Pray for wind. See course map for details.
  • Downwind runs require a shuttle which may seem like more work if you haven’t done it before, but once you see how much more fun it is to go downwind you will realize that the little bit of extra time it takes to do the shuttle will be well worth the effort.
  • Each crew is required to have completed forms, all paddlers must have both The Gorge Race Liability Waiver and Paddlesport Risk Management waivers completed.

Camping & Accommodations

  • Fairgrounds at Stevenson, Washington are free with registration. Please be respectful of the park and pick up your opala (rubbish) and keep the showers/bathrooms clean.
  • Competitors are invited to camp and rig at the fairgrounds in Stevenson, just a short walk or paddle from the race site, with everything you may need nearby in terms of restaurants, fuel, groceries, hardware, etc. Camping is included in registration fees for Friday and Saturday only, yet further services are available at www.skamania.org to meet your needs.
  • If you arrive earlier then Friday or want to stay Sunday night after the event is over you must pay at the fairgrounds office.
  • Please see the Campsite Map below for traffic flow, parking, camping, rigging, trailer area, showers and awards locations.

Safety

  • Please be prepared for changing weather conditions, a damp night and cloudy morning may very well lead to sunny skies with winds to 25 mph and 3 foot swells!
  • Skirts are required on all OC6 canoes.
  • PNWORCA rules apply. http://pnworca.org
  • Safety boats will patrol the courses but crews are responsible for themselves – please be efficient at righting your canoes swiftly!
  • Everyone must wear a PFD (life-jacket) while racing on the river.  Inflatables approved.

Contact us for any information you cannot find here. We look forward to another excellent event and we hope to see you in July!

Please see the Campsite Map below for traffic flow, parking, camping, rigging, trailer area, showers and awards locations.

Gorge Race Campsite
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Gorge Race Map
1

Women/Mix start

2

Women/Mix Finish & Men Start

3

Men Finish

4

Campsite and Facilities

Open Interactive Google Map

PHOTOS

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Contact Us

DO NOT EMAIL US if you are asking about the OC1, Surfski, OC2, SUP race going on the following week, that is The Gorge Downwind Championship, not us. Thanks!

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