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Paddleboarding festival returns to Washougal

Salmon Classic races are on Aug. 30 at Cottonwood Beach

By Dan Trujillo
Published: August 3, 2015, 5:00pm

Washougal will be the launching pad into the Columbia River for the second Stand Up Paddleboarding Salmon Classic Sunday, Aug. 30, at Capt. William Clark Park.

Racers take off from Cottonwood Beach at 10 a.m., starting with a 2-mile novice race for beginners and youth. The 4-mile short course race for recreational boarders follows at 10:30 a.m. The 8-mile long course challenge for professionals begins at 11:30 a.m. An awards presentation occurs at 2 p.m. Medals will be given to the top three winners in each class.

“Last year’s inaugural race was embraced by SUP athletes,” said Race Director Erick Gelbke in a press release. “They were impressed by the event, the waters and Washougal. It created a lot of buzz in the SUP community and many participants said they would return.”

Registration is available online at www.supsalmonclassic.com until Aug. 28. The entry fees are $50 for the long and short races, and $30 for novice and youth events. All of the participants receive a commemorative shirt and lunch. Day of race registration occurs on-site between 7 and 8:30 a.m.

Reflection Plaza, 1703 Main St., will host a pre-race party for visitors and community members Saturday, Aug. 29, from 6 to 8 p.m. Racers can pick up their event packets, register, listen to live music, enjoy shaved ice from Local Girls Hawaiian Shave Ice and Grill, or explore the restaurants and businesses in downtown Washougal.

According to Gelbke, Cottonwood Beach is an excellent venue for paddleboarding. Not only is it prime for racers, but spectators have a great vantage point to watch the action unfold from shore.

“We are creating a real festival feel around the event, which is free to spectators,” Gelbke said. “There will be industry vendors, music, a raffle with great SUP prizes, board demos and clinics.”

Pro racer Fiona Wylde, who is currently ranked fourth in the women’s world rankings, offers a free clinic at the event for those interested in improving their boarding skills. Wylde was also the women’s overall winner at last year’s Salmon Classic, in Washougal.

“We are stoked and honored to have Fiona here for the clinic,” Gelbke said. “She represents the best in the sport.”

The event’s novice course and clinics were added to meet the community’s desire to learn more about paddleboarding.

“When we first started talking about the event, people who had never ridden a board before told this sounded like fun and they asked how they could join in,” Gelbke explained. “We created this 2-mile course so more people can get involved in the sport. We’re sure every one will have a good time, and there may be a few people getting wet.”

The SUP Salmon Classic continues the triple crown of racing events in Washington and Oregon. The Gorge Paddle Challenge takes place Aug. 22 and 23 in Hood River, Oregon. The Round the Rock race follows the Salmon Classic Saturday, Sept. 12, in Bellevue, Washington.

For more information about this event, e-mail Gelbke at supedg@gmail.com or visit www.supsalmonclassic.com.

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