The Port of Hood River gave three of its five commissioners a sendoff Tuesday, marking an unusual transition: the majority of its commission left office June 30.

Several epic battles ensued this weekend in what is already being hailed a very successful third-annual NAISH Columbia Gorge Paddle Challenge. Starting Saturday with the distance race, relatively light wind meant paddlers’ endurance was truly put to the test in the six-mile upriver grind from Viento State Park to Hood River. Wind picked up on Sunday for course racing in front of the Hood River Waterfront Park, and again paddlers were pushed to their limits, as half of the diamond-shaped course faced straight upwind.