We’ve just found out the dates of the 2013 Naish Columbia Gorge Paddle Challenge (CGPC). This proved to be one of the highlight events of the 2012 SUP Racing season, so we can expect plenty of action again this year. This year the Gorge Paddle Challenge SUP race will be held over the weekend of August 17th & 18th in Hood River, Oregon.

Announcements regarding prize money and race formats will be coming soon, so we’ll keep you updated as soon as we hear more. The massively successful Positively Kai kids SUP clinic is also returning. After attracting 200 eager young SUP groms last year, the Positively Kai event will once again be held the day before the race (Friday 16th August).

The 2012 Gorge Paddle Challenge was a big event, with dozens of elite paddlers making the trip and competing in the flat-water course race on the Saturday, followed by the downwind race on the Sunday. Candice Appleby dominated the women’s event, going through the weekend undefeated. Kai Lenny also made his mark by overcoming an elite field (that included Connor Baxter, Jamie Mitchell, Slater Trout, Chase Kosterlitz and plenty more of the world’s best) to win both races.

Kai is one name that’s guaranteed to return to the 2013 race, but we expect the level of competition will be similar to last year. No matter what happens, SUPracer.com will keep you posted with all the Gorge Paddle Challenge SUP race info, news and results.

In the meantime you can relive the action by watching Kai Lenny’s Hood River recap video or checking out the photos from the Gorge Paddle Challenge 2012.

Jamie Mitchell, Connor Baxter, Kai Lenny, Slater Trout and Chase Kosterlitz (© Gorge Performance)