Mount Hood & Hood River Oregon Events

Are you ready for an exciting challenge? This annual open-water swim event–held every year in beautiful Hood River, Oregon-gives participants the opportunity to swim across the mighty Columbia River. Early in the morning every Labor Day, 500 swimmers board the Sternwheeler paddleboat, are ferried to the Washington side of the river, and jump from the boat to swim back to the Oregon shore. It all started 70 years ago when local orchardist Roy Webster challenged himself and some friends to swim across the river-and every year after that, more and more people gathering on Labor Day to take the Cross-Channel Challenge. Swimmers come from around the world to participate is this fun event-sharing the experience with friends, family, and the local community. Roy's family (owners of the local Fruit Company) still carries on the tradition of support for this event by participating in the swim each year. We hope you will join us too! All swimmers must be at least 10 years old, in good physical health, and must wear a swim cap due to safety regulations. Swimmers under 15 years old must each be accompanied by an adult swimmer. Learn more about Roy Webster and the history of this event, visit: http://www.thefruitcompany.com/emails/eNewsletters/eNews_07August.htm

Check-in Begins: 5am; Boarding Begins: 6am; Boat Departs: 7am; Swimmers begin jumping: 7:45am

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