STG 2 CGRA.ORG | 2019 WELCOME TO THE GORGE IN WHAT HAS BECOME A TRADITIONAL SUMMER PILGRIMAGE, SAILORS FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY WILL BEGIN WINGING THEIR WAY NORTH AND WEST THIS MONTH TO BEAUTIFUL CASCADE LOCKS, OR- EGON, LURED BY THE PROMISE OF YEE-HAH SAILING IN ONE OF THE CONTINENT’S MOST SPECTACULAR BIG BREEZE VENUES AND THE LAID-BACK HOSPITALITY OF THE COLUMBIA GORGE RACING ASSOCIA- TION. CGRA’S HARDY BAND OF VOLUNTEERS IS PRIMED FOR ANOTHER EPIC SEASON OF SAILING IN THE GORGE, AND OUR CALENDAR IS CHOCKABLOCK FROM MID-JUNE THROUGH EARLY AUGUST, INCLUDING MAJOR CHAMPIONSHIPS FOR THE RS AERO, 29ER, 505, AND LASER CLASSES, FIVE HIGH PERFORMANCE TRAINING CLINICS, AND OUR POPULAR THURSDAY EVENING COMMUNITY SAILING POTLUCKS. We’re delighted to welcome two And those are just the highlights. If you’re passionate about sailing in world-class sailing coaches, RS Aero There’s plenty more for sailors of all the Gorge and like what we’re do- World Champion Steve Cockerill from ages and ability levels. You can find ing, please consider including CGRA England and 14-time Laser Masters the complete schedule of CGRA’s in your charitable contributions this World Champion Brett Beyer from 2019 events on page 16. year. CGRA is a 501(c)3 non-profit or- Australia, to lead training clinics in It takes a lot of work and a lot of ganization, and your donation is fully their respective classes. This is an money to continue bringing world- tax deductible. Every dollar you con- extraordinary opportunity for North- class sailing opportunities to the tribute helps keep sailing in the Gorge west sailors to experience Olympic Gorge. Without the membership base alive, and inspires us to keep working level coaching close to home, and a of a traditional yacht club, we depend on this crazy dream! perfect tune-up for sailors compet- on the support of our friends to help Looking forward to seeing you on ing in the RS Aero North Americans cover the costs of boats, shore fa- the river this summer, June 28-30 and Laser Masters Pacific cilities, site improvements, race man- Bill Symes Coast Championship Aug. 3-4. agement, coaching and instruction. CGRA Board of Directors Photo © Jan Anderson 3 Bill Symes Sailing in the Gorge SAILtheGORGE.com STG CONTENTS ON THE COVER Photographer Sean Trew captures Eric Becker at the 2016 RS Aero US National Championship in the Gorge. 6 CGRA EVENTS CGRA grassroots management pro- Photo © Steider Studios vides world-class racing 10 HIGH PERFORMANCE TRAINING CLINICS World-class training opportunities to aspiring competitors 18 EXPLORE THE GORGE What to do and where to go when you’re not on the water 20-29 ADVERTISERS Advertisers arranged by community Photo © Bill Symes and indexed by service or product type. (Also see pages 2, 12, and 32.) QUICK FIND 3 WELCOME 13 COMMUNITY SAILING 14 CASCADE LOCKS MARINA MAP 16 EVENTS CALENDAR 30 ADVERTISER INDEX 2019 31 SUPPORTERS | 31 SUPPORT THE CGRA 4 Photo © Sean Trew STG CGRA.ORG ABOUT CGRA Photo © Paul Nelson In 1996, a group of Northwest sailing enthusiasts saw ACTIVITIES: the potential for Cascade Locks to become a world-class • Organize, promote, and conduct sailing regattas and sailing venue and founded the Columbia Gorge Racing As- training clinics for regional, national, & international sociation. Our mission is to foster the sport of competi- competitors tive sailing in the Columbia River Gorge by conducting re- • Coordinate with class associations around the world gional, national, and international regattas and providing to bring major sailing events to the Gorge quality training opportunities for aspiring competitors. • Conduct ongoing fund-raising campaign to improve Our long-range vision is to establish the Gorge as a world- sailing opportunities and facilities in Cascade Locks class destination for sailboat racing and training. • Provide sailing instruction and recreational activities CGRA is a non-profit corporation (Oregon 501c3). for local youth Governance is by an 10-member Board of Directors, com- • Host open sailing nights and other recreational op- prised of volunteers from throughout the Northwest who portunities for the local community are dedicated to promoting sailing in the Gorge. We are • Maintain a fleet of sailing dinghies for instructional not a “yacht club;” participation in all CGRA racing and in- and recreational use and powerboats for regatta and structional programs is open and accessible to the public. sailing school support (See page 31 for ways to support CGRA.) • Maintain on-site dry moorage facility at Cascade Locks Marine Park VALUES CGRA is a values driven organization. We are: COMMUNITY BENEFITS: • Draws more than 1,000 participants, families, friends • Committed to the highest standards of event and spectators to Cascade Locks each year between management, customer service, and organizational the months of April and September. excellence • Hosts regional, national, and international sailing • Global in our outlook and our reach events that attract competitors from around the world. • Respectful of our customers, our supporters, our • Provides expert instruction and training opportuni- community, and our environment ties to youngsters and adults of all levels, from • Accessible, welcoming and eager to share the fun novice through advanced racers. of sailing in the Gorge! • Continues to generate world-wide publicity for Cas- cade Locks and the Gorge as a world-class venue for international sailing events. For more information: visit the CGRA website at CGRA.org. 5 SAILtheGORGE.com STG CGRA EVENTS WORLD CLASS SAILING. DOWN-HOME FUN. THE COLUMBIA GORGE RACING ASSOCIATION HAS PUT CASCADE LOCKS, OREGON, ON THE MAP FOR SAILORS AND CLASS ASSOCIATIONS AROUND THE WORLD. BLESSED WITH A PERFECT COMBINATION OF STRONG WIND, FRESH WATER, AND SPECTAC- ULAR SCENERY, CGRA ATTRACTS NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL LEVEL SAILING REGATTAS TO THE GORGE EACH SUMMER. CGRA EVENTS ARE RENOWNED FOR EXHILARATING RACING ON THE WATER, AS WELL AS FOR FRIENDLY, LAID BACK HOSPITALITY ON SHORE. WHETHER YOU’RE A COM- PETITOR, A SPECTATOR, OR JUST CURIOUS, WE WELCOME YOU TO JOIN US THIS SUMMER TO DIS- COVER THE EXCITEMENT OF SAILING IN THE GORGE! RS AERO NORTH AMERICANCHAMPIONSHIP | JUNE 28–30 The RS Aeros return to the world famous Columbia River Gorge for their 2019 RS Aero North American Cham- pionship! We’re looking forward to welcoming sailors from all over the world for three days of spectacular sailing. Take in the scenery and make the most of the fantastic Gorge wind and waves. The 2020 RS Aero Worlds will be held at the Gorge so consider the NA’s in 2019 as a tune up for the first RS Aero Worlds in the USA! 29ER US NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP | JULY 12–14 The Gorge is an annual highlight on the 29er Class Association calendar and CGRA is pleased to host their US National Championship. The 29er class is a popular trainer for young Olympic aspirants, including some of America’s top women sailors, so fasten your seat belts and expect to see an excitement packed weekend with spinnakers flying, crews stretched out on trapeze wires, and more than a few spectacular spills! Described as “THE definitive high performance sailing venue, offering big breeze, low stress, big scenery, and fresh water,” the Gorge offers premium championship conditions. Photo © Steider Studios WIND REGATTA | JULY 21–22 The Northwest’s premier youth event, the WIND re- LASER GORGE BLOWOUT | JULY 26 gatta is open to Laser, Optimist, C420, and Flying Junior CGRA’s most notorious event, the Blowout is a white class boats. Other one-design classes that are sailed by knuckle, 18-mile downwind sprint from Cascade Locks to competitors who meet the eligibility criteria may petition the Hood River Bridge. Open to thrill-seeking Laser and 2019 for entry. The regatta will be preceded by the WIND Laser RS Aero sailors, the Blowout is famous for big winds, big | and Opti Clinics, offering a unique learning opportunity waves, breathtaking scenery, and fire-hose-in-the-face for youth sailors from across North America and beyond warp speeds. It’s the ultimate test of the sailors’ skill, en- to test their skills in the legendary winds of the Gorge. 6 durance, and sanity. Yee-haw! STG CGRA.ORG COLUMBIA GORGE ONE-DESIGN REGATTA | JULY 26–28 for Northwest sailors to revel in the splendor of the Gorge CGRA’s annual multi-class sailing celebration is open and CGRA’s hospitality. to both dinghy and keelboat one-design fleets, spread out over two courses on the waters facing Cascade Locks. This year’s CGOD features the 505 Pacific Coast CGRA Events continued on page 8 Championship, the Laser District 22 Championship, as well as Fireball, I14, Melges 24, and Weta Trimaran class- es. As always, CGOD promises to be a festive gathering 7 SAILtheGORGE.com STG CGRA Events continued from page 7 Photo © Bill Symes LASER MASTERS PACIFIC COAST CHAMPIONSHIP | pionship regatta. This event is open to Laser master AUGUST 3–4 sailors, and Laser Standard and Radial rigs. For maximum Top Laser master sailors from the Pacific coast and Gorge saturation, don’t miss the preceding 4-day training beyond will be making the trek to the Columbia River clinic, conducted by the International Sailing Academy, Gorge to compete for top honors in this regional cham- with 14-time Laser Masters World Champion Brett Beyer. Photo © Sean Trew Photo © Sean Trew 2019 | 8 Photo © Bill Symes STG CGRA.ORG Photo © Steider Studios Studios Photo ©Steider SAILtheGORGE.com STG 9 CGRA HIGH PERFORMANCE TRAINING CLINICS GRA CONTINUES TO GROW OUR COMMITMENT TO PROVIDING WORLD-CLASS TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES TO ASPIRING COMPETITORS IN THE PLANET’S PREMIERE HEAVY AIR VENUE. WE’RE PLEASED TO WELCOME BACK THE INTERNATIONAL SAIL- ING ACADEMY (ISA) TO OFFER THREE HIGH PERFORMANCE TRAINING CLINICS, ONE FOR YOUTH AND TWO FOR ALL-AGES.