SIC Gorge Paddle Challenge 2021

- THE ULTIMATE INLAND DOWNWINDER RACE -

The SIC Gorge Paddle Challenge is back for the first time since 2019, and the atmosphere was buzzing with excitement for 262 athletes who were thrilled to be on the race scene again. The steamy 105 degrees start to race week with no wind had everyone wondering, will the Gorge deliver? Then on Friday, the winds finally arrived, blowing 20 knots with gusts up to 30 by Sunday. The Gorge was on and racing began.

THE MAUI PACK

The Gorge has long been a sought-after U.S. destination for downwind paddling, and the recent addition of the wing foil category has attracted some of the biggest names from Maui, where wing foiling is already on fire. SIC Maui Waterman Livio Menelau made the trek to the mainland along with Maui wing foilers Jeffery and Finn Spencer, Chris Pagdilao, Alex Aguera, Scott Trudon, and William Winner. Over 50 participants competed in the wing foil downwind category, with Livio taking 5th place in the highly competitive field.

 

"At the start of the race it was amazing to see wing foilers spread across the entire width of the Gorge and this is just the beginning of the sport."

SIC Waterman Livio Menelau

FAST FLYING AND DODGING

The wing foiling racecourse event at the Gorge was the first of its kind in the U.S. This four buoy course with a flying start challenged participants to be in the right place at the right time to grab an early lead. Spectators had an exciting view of the inside buoy section where the wind pattern changed, challenging wing foilers to stay on foil and then maneuver around those struggling on down on the course.  

THE ELITE PACK

This year the SUP downwind elite crowd was a bit smaller because of international travel restrictions in place. At the same time, the open and youth division packed a healthy group of paddlers, which is exciting for the growth of the sport. SIC Global Athlete Jade Howson took second place in the women's elite division against hometown favorite Fiona Wylde. Fifteen-year-old SIC Youth Development/Global Athlete Bodie Von Allmen stepped up against the elite men and landed an astounding 5th place among the race veterans.

The vibe was powerful this year at GPC. You could tell everyone was so excited to be back racing again.

SIC Global Athlete Jade Howson

I’ve been waiting to race in the elite division, and I did well this year in the men’s open race leading up to GPC. I love the challenge of racing the fastest people. I felt like it was time to step it up and give it a shot.

Youth Development/Global Athlete Bodie Von Allmen

SIC YOUTH TAKING CENTER STAGE

The SIC Ohana stretches far and wide for the youth paddling team with athletes from all over the United States and Mexico. Alex and Trace Ostrowski from Mexico, Soryn Preston and Maylee Jaggi from California, SIC Youth Development Team members Campbell Carter from North Carolina, and Jameson Roeber from New York, all dominated the podium. These youth paddlers are the future of our sport and we are excited to see how they will impact the paddling scene forever. 

DOWNWIND JUNIOR BOYS

2nd Campbell Carter


DOWNWIND GROMS 12-14 Boys

1st Bobo Gallagher

2nd Jameson Roeber

3rd Trace Ostrowski


DOWNWIND GROMS 12-14 Girls

1st Soryn Preston

2nd Maylee Jaggi

RACECOURSE GRIND

The highly anticipated SUP racecourse event is always a spectator favorite at the Gorge, featuring ample viewing of the upwind grind, the buoy of doom, and the tight "W" buoy section, strategically placed in front of the announcer stand. All of this is to be paddled in a nice light breeze - 20 knots of wind.   There were spills and thrills throughout the day, with Jade Howson ultimately bringing home 2nd in Women’s Elite and 15-year-old Bodie Von Allmen challenging himself again in Men’s elite category, taking home 5th.  

YOUTH TAKING CHARGE

The SIC Maui Youth Team killed it once again in the racecourse category, proving they are a force to be reckoned with, setting the stage for future races to come.


RACECOURSE JUNIOR BOYS 15-17

1st Campbell Carter


RACECOURSE JUNIOR GIRLS 15-17

1st Alex Ostrowski

2nd Soryn Preston

3rd Maylee Jaggi

RACECOURSE GROMS/SUPER GROMS GIRLS 12-14

1st Soryn Preston

2nd Maylee Jaggi


RACECOURSE GROMS/SUPER GROMS BOYS 12-14

1st Bobo Gallagher

2nd Trace Ostrowski


RACE COURSE GROMS/SUPER GROMS BOYS 9-11

1st Jameson Roeber

TANDEM SMILES

The late Steve Gates from Big Winds brought to life the SIC Gorge Paddle Challenge to help grow the paddling community. In that same spirit lives One Class Racing, a fun recreational race for new paddlers interested in entering the race scene. The One Class Race is always a highlight at the Gorge and this year participants had a special request - tandem Racing. Smiles and laughing were the main focus.

SIC Maui would like to thank the Big Winds, the Gates family, race organizers, and everyone in the paddling community that helped celebrate the life of Steve Gates and make this event a success. SIC is proud to support the paddling community and looks forward to doing it again next year.


For complete race results:  https://paddleguru.com/races/SICGorgePaddleChallenge2021/results