Skamania County Parks and Recreation is proud to announce that professional kiteboarder Renee Hanks will be hosting an adult kiteboarding clinic on July 20 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Rock Creek Park in Stevenson, Wash. The land-based class is geared toward the beginner or first-time kite flyer. As part of the clinic, Hanks will be teaching the importance of kite safety, setting up, launching, landing, as well as some practice flying. Cost is $50 per person and comfortable shoes are recommended. Group will meet at the Rock Creek Recreation Center (710 SW Rock Creek Dr.). Call 509-427-9478 to register.
Gorge Cup Downwinder this weekend
Dale Cook (at left) will lead an elite field of windsurfers this weekend for the annual Gorge Cup Downwinder — also known as “The Blowout.” The 17-mile journey from Stevenson, Wash., to Hood River is for windsurfers only, with separate divisions for men, women, masters and juniors. Entry fee is $30 per sailor, and registration forms are available at www.gorgecup.com. The event is set to run Saturday, but an alternate day has been set for Sunday. A 10 a.m. skipper’s meeting will determine the start time. Stay up to date on the wind hotline at 352-4176. Volunteers, boats and jet ski operators are still needed. For more information, call Christina McGhee at 352-5562 or e-mail christina@gorge.net.
State Games sign-ups now accepted
Handbooks for this year’s State Games of Oregon are now available, and can be obtained at all Fred Meyer locations, parks and recreation departments, and selected athletic clubs. All Oregonians are eligible for the 36 competitions that take place throughout Portland from July 11-13. The State Games is an Olympic-style amateur festival that offers all Oregonians the opportunity to participate in their choice of sports. Approximately 16,000 people are expected to register. For more, visit www.stategamesoforegon.org.
Outrigger Canoe races July 19-20
The seventh-annual Gorge Outrigger Canoe Races are set to take place at Stevenson Waterfront Park on July 19-20. This is the largest event of its kind in the Northwest, and two separate competitions will be held. Six-person canoes will run Saturday at 10 a.m., and one- or two-person canoes will run Sunday at 9:30 a.m. For more, call Cat Betts at 509-427-2727.
Community Education youth soccer
Hood River Community Education is now accepting sign-ups for youth soccer. Preregistration forms for boys and girls entering grades 3-8 (determined by grade, not age) are due to the Community Ed office by July 25, and practices will begin Aug. 25. Cost is $35 per player, and includes a T-shirt. League play will run from early September through Oct. 25. Please note that all players must wear shinguards to participate. For more information about the 2003 youth soccer league, call 386-2055.
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