2025 USA Canoe Ocean Racing (COR) National Championships
Press Release: January 7, 2025
USA Canoe Ocean Racing National Championships Launches at the 2025 Gorge Downwind Championships
The American Canoe Association (ACA) is pleased to announce a landmark partnership with the Gorge Downwind Championships (GDC) paddlesports festival to host the inaugural USA Canoe Ocean Racing (COR) National Championships. This historic event, aligned to International Canoe Federation (ICF) COR standards, will take place in July 2025 in Stevenson, Washington, set against the stunning backdrop of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.
Matt Drayer, Chairperson of the ACA Ocean Racing Committee, emphasized the importance of this event: “Hosting the first-ever NGB-sanctioned National Championship in conjunction with the Gorge Downwind Championships marks a defining moment for USA Canoe Ocean Racing. By combining the ACA’s commitment to athlete development and competitive excellence with the outstanding production of the Gorge festival, we’re setting a new standard for surfski racing in the United States.”
Viewed as the one of the premier competitive surfski events in the United States, the Gorge Downwind Championships has been a cornerstone of the USA COR community since 2015. The festival regularly attracts over 200 participants for its 20km point-to-point main race and many more for its popular week of downwind paddling experiences and community celebrations.
Carter Johnson, Director of the Gorge Downwind Championships, highlighted the opportunity: “The Gorge Downwind Championships has always been about showcasing the skill and tenacity of surfski paddlers and celebrating our amazingly vibrant community. Partnering with the ACA to host the USA’s first-ever NGB-sanctioned National Championships as a component of the festival is an incredible opportunity for everyone involved to take our sport to the next level.”
Greg Barton, Vice Chairperson of the ACA Ocean Racing Committee, reflected on the collaboration: “The Gorge is the perfect venue to launch this initiative. It’s an incredible location, and the energy of the paddling community here is unmatched. This event will pave the way for exciting National Championships competitions to be hosted throughout the country for years to come.”
Through this partnership, current ACA members participating in the Gorge Downwind Champs main competition will be automatically included in the USA COR National Championships category, enabling paddlers to compete for national titles in divisions including Womens, Mens, U23 (18-23), Seniors (24-34), and Masters (35+, in 10-year increments).
Chris Hipgrave, Co-Director of the Gorge Downwind Championships, added: “The Gorge festival is an annual fixture on the international paddlesports calendar, and our collaboration with the American Canoe Association is a natural partnership. Our team is excited to provide the USA’s surfski paddlers with the opportunity to compete for officially endorsed national titles and affirm the Gorge festival’s position as a premier destination for downwind racing.”
Jed Hinkley, ACA Competition Director, shared his perspective on the event’s significance: “Combining the 2025 USA COR National Championships with the Gorge Downwind Championships festival is a huge step forward for ICF-spec canoe ocean racing in the United States. The Gorge is the biggest game in town for surfski paddlers, and the GDC organizing team is world-class. The ACA couldn’t be happier with our partnership.”
Get In on The Opportunity!
Registration for the Gorge Downwind Championships opens on Sunday, January 12, 2025, at 8 PM Eastern / 5 PM Pacific. The festival is known to fill quickly, however the GDC team is committed to guaranteeing entry to all who register within the first 24 hours, up to the event’s permit cap. In addition to GDC festival registration, an active annual ACA membership is required for National Championship category eligibility. ACA membership currently costs $40 and is valid through December 2025.
ACA members gain much more than entry to the National Championships when they join; they become part of a countrywide initiative to elevate the status of competitive paddlesports in the United States. Membership benefits include participation in the USA Surfski National Series, which connects paddlers across the country and provides athletes with perspective on their developmental journey. Additionally, ACA members are eligible to represent the USA at international competitions including Pan American Continental Championships and ICF World Championships. Members also enjoy access to exclusive networks, services, discounts, and support for race planning and preparation.
For media inquiries, sponsorship requests, or additional information, please contact:
Matt Drayer
Chairperson, ACA Ocean Racing Committee
Email: orc@americancanoe.net