Youth Racing - Gorge Sailing Team
The Gorge Sailing Team was founded in 2014 as a way to give local kids an opportunity to sail more, learn to race, and expand their on-the-water knowledge. Sailboat racing is a recognized high school club sport! The high school team is a part of NWISA, the North West Interscholastic Sailing Association and regularly races against schools from all over the Pacific Northwest. From 2014 to late 2025, the Gorge Sailing Team was its own nonprofit organization. In late 2025, the Gorge Sailing Team merged with Gorge Junior Sailing (now known as the Gorge Sailing Center) so equipment, volunteers, and insurance expenses could be consolidated into one stronger group.
The team is comprised of the Hood River Valley Eagles and the Columbia High School Bruins. The two teams share equipment and train together on the water during the school year. The team is open to 8th-12th grade students who have previous sailing experience. Tryouts, or a selection process, may occur if interest levels exceed the amount of equipment and/or safety personnel available. While the two teams practice together, they typically compete separately when they race at the district level.
The typical season is March 1st through May 15th AND, if there’s interest, September 15th through the end of October. If you’re visiting this website inside of those dates, the season’s sign up has already taken place. Please contact us for more information about next season.
If your child is looking to learn how to sail, please check out the Youth Learn to Sail programs, which often include an intro to High School Sailing class.
