HAWAII/GORGE CHAMPS 2025

 

Hawaii 3 Day Part extra $2400

Includes 3 day Epic Surf Ski Rental, 3 night accommodation double bed shared room plus all paddling logistics, coaching/storage and membership for the exclusive Outrigger Canoe Club. Only 10 spots available - please email us your interest admin@sydneyharboursurfclub.com.au

 

The Trip of a lifetime!

A Hawaii/ Gorge Champs all in one trip. We fly into Waikiki, Hawaii Thursday 10th July 2025 morning for 3 days of wave catching and downwinds in the beautiful Hawaiian waters before flying out Sunday 13th July to Portland Oregon for the 2025 Gorge Champs week.  

Why is Hawaii a Surf Ski heaven for paddlers?

From late May to the end of July, the easterly trade winds hit Hawaii. This is a consistent wind from the east direction – making Hawaii the best place in the world for catching runners. The specific itinerary for each day depends on the weather, wind and tide, with the Coach making plans the day before based upon forecast conditions to maximise your experience. When the wind blows from the East we are on the 15km Hawaii Kai downwind run, when the wind blows from the N or NE we are on the 12km North Shore run and if the wind blows from the South we have the 12km Lanikai run. 

The Hawaii 3 day part of the trip will be capped at 10 people and you need to have ocean experience particularly downwind. The Hawaii Kai downwind run is the best in the world and have a high degree of difficulty. The Coach runs a very safe ocean plan where paddlers are buddied up and all paddlers have VHF radio for communication out on the water. Regardless of what you choose to do there is endless amounts of wave catching and catching runners for the whole week. 

For wave catching, we start you on the smaller Sheraton Wave, a small 2ft wave that runs for 600m out the front of the Sheraton resort Waikiki. Then you build to the 800m wave outside the Outrigger Canoe Club which stands up a bit more. If you get game enough, the biggest and longest wave is the China Wall wave at Hawaii Kai, where swell needs to be 2m plus for that wave to work. A Coach will there to show you where to paddle out, where to catch the wave, what line to hold and when to pull off.

The 2025 Gorge Champs Week

Arriving in Portland Oregon Sunday 13th July 2025 we will load into a 15-seater van and make the 90min journey inland towards the Hood River where we check into our accommodation at the Carson Hot Springs Golf and Spa. Monday 14th July we will meet the Epic USA team and be provided our Epic surf ski plus a guided 10km tour down the Columbian river, so everyone knows any dangers of the river and where to enter and exit on the daily downwind runs. If you are super keen, you can get the bus/trailer transport back and do the run for a second time that day. On the Tuesday 15th July we load our surf skis onto the Epic trailer and will be dropped at the race start line so we can do the full 22km course. Wednesday 16th July could be a rest day for some or you can do the daily 10km downwind run using the bus/trailer transport service provided. By Wednesday we will know the race day and we will start planning logistics for you. Every day is an opportunity to practice on the runners where you link runs together for greater speeds. Coaching sessions will be available for the less experienced on some mornings, open to discussion. Every night is a team dinner and drinks at local breweries and restaurants as we all bond together throughout the week. 

Epic Hawaii and Epic USA has a full range of Epic surf skis in Hawaii and the Gorge Champs week, so you have the best craft for your ability in these conditions.

Accommodation:

Accommodation in Hawaii will be with the team close to the Outrigger Canoe Club which is an exclusive private club that we have privileged access to while in Hawaii. For the Gorge Champs week we will stay at the Carson Hot Springs Golf and Spa. For recovery, or enjoyment, hot and cold pools are available as part of the Hotel complex. Great fun when the whole crew is relaxing in there together debriefing the daily events.

Costs

(excluding airfares, food and beverages)

Hawaii 3 Day Part

Epic Surf Ski 3-day hire, paddling logistics/coaching, storage at Outrigger Canoe Club plus accommodation for 3 nights own room/queen bed at the Lotus Diamond Head $2500 per person 

Gorge Champs 7 Day Part

Epic Surf Ski 7-day hire, paddling logistics/coaching, storage at event gated area plus accommodation for 7 nights at the Carson Hot Springs Resort and Spa own room/queen bed $4050 per person 

All logistics are covered to ensure we get you and your surf ski to the start of each paddle and the safe keeping of your surf ski after each paddle. We travel everywhere as a team in our vans ensuring the music is pumping and everyone is having a great time. Our experienced team will guide you every step of the way on and off the water so each day you know where to be and what to bring.

 

Other Paddling related costs you will incur as the trip occurs:

Gorge Champs Race Entry Fee $250 AUD (this includes daily downwind drop-offs up the Hood River) plus a race pack including a cool race rashie.

Apart from the waves, the Outrigger Canoe Club café, bar, restaurant is the highlight of the trip. This exclusive club is where we store our surf skis, there is access to a locker for the week (at an additional cost ~$8USD per day + taxes) with hot showers and towels after every paddle. This place is where we hang out after paddles with long lunches and evening dinners in the fancy restaurant overlooking the beautiful Waikiki.

Everything you spend at the OCC will go on your member account, with an invoice sent at the end of the month – no cash payments on the way through. 

General Trip Logistics

As an overview, you will require:

• normal summer/spring paddling gear, at least 3 sets
• your paddle (can travel on the planes as an oversize bag)
• leg leash (take spares, every year several leg leashes break),
• your phone case for safe storage, for SafeTrx + the all important photo taking
• VHF waterproof radio
• 2 x roof rack straps
• PFD – these are optional in Hawaii but are highly recommended for attaching your VHF radio.
• It’s highly recommended that everyone wears a bright orange paddling top, and a bright orange cap or visor for the whole week. Hi-Vis orange is the most visible colour out in the ocean and makes it easier to spot each other. 
• Your caps, sunglasses, and GoPro will all need ties

How do I get my paddle to Hawaii and Portland?

Paddles go as oversize luggage, and you will need to purchase an extra bag for this.  Either a purpose-built paddle bag with padding to protect your paddle or simply tape it in bubble wrap. Vaikobi make a paddle travel bag that has compartments to take your paddle and then pack your paddling clothes around your paddles to protect them (check out our SHSC shop for this item) 

What Surf Ski Should I Select?

Stability is the key to great downwind paddling. Both Hawaii and Gorge conditions will see you going much faster than you have ever been before and this means you need to come back at least 2 x surf ski types from what you usually paddle in Sydney Harbour. When you’re down winding, stability gives you confidence to attack the swell, don’t get sucked into thinking you need a slick skinny ski to go quick, “It isn’t true!”, it’s V8, V8 Pro, V9’s all the way, unless you are trying to win the event.  

Other FAQs 

What’s the deal on the skis?

We arrange a near new Epic surf ski for you in Hawaii and Portland, Oregon with Epic Hawaii and Epic USA. The surf ski you rent is your responsibility – and you sign a waiver. There is no insurance.  We will show you each day how to Load, unload and strap your own ski down each day. Please bring 2 x roof rack straps with you in your luggage.

Where are our skis stored?

The Outrigger Canoe Club (OCC) is home base in Hawaii– you will have guest membership for the duration, and it’s where we wash & store our surf skis. For the Gorge Champs there will be a gated area with security for overnight storage. 

What’s the OCC?

The Outrigger Canoe Club (OCC) is brilliant and very exclusive. Enjoy the happy hour (from 5pm) sipping a beer or cocktail while the beautiful Hawaiian sun sets. The OCC is an exclusive country club, set on a private beach. We will be spending a lot of time at the OCC, and utilising their change rooms (showers, towels, lockers) as well as their café, bar and restaurant.

Is there anything different about paddling in Hawaii?

Yes, the waves are very gentle, and so are the ocean runs when compared to Sydney. The icing on the cake…it’s like a surging wave where the wave just crumbles on the top not a dumping wave as you find in Sydney.

What is the famous Hawaii Kai Run?

This run is arguably the best downwind run in the world, Luke Horder named his son “Kai” after this run, that’s how good it is. Hawaii Kai is a 20-minute drive from Waikiki beach where we start the paddle and then finish at the Outrigger Canoe Club.

What are the normal Daily Logistics?

Luke’s Team organises trailers, vans, drivers, downwind drop offs, dinner locations – all the logistics. You name it, we have it sorted and we will communicate with you each day on the trip via the WhatsApp chat, outlining each day’s meeting time and place.

We are constantly looking at the swell, wind and tide to put you in the best spot at the right time, this is why you progress so dramatically as a paddler in just in just over one week.  

Our Team Culture

Traveling as a team is a lot of fun, every day is like a fun school excursion and new friendships are formed. We have team shirts to wear - rock them and wear them with pride.

Long Lunches, plus restaurants every night, means a lot of great food and wine in excellent company (rest assured, not all talk is around paddling). The best part - all the paddling means you come home lighter (kg). Maybe not your luggage, as there will also be time to hit the shops. 

Will there be time to sightsee?

During the paddle trip, each day’s paddling is optional, so if you prefer to sightsee rather than paddle, then let us know at least the day before so that he can adjust arrangements. Remember though, you are there to experience the amazing paddling opportunities, so make sure you take advantage of all the opportunities and perhaps tack on sightseeing time before / after the trip

Got more questions?

Reach out to us admin@sydneyharboursurfclub.com.au

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