What is KB4C?

What is KB4C and the why behind it

In 2007, Kiteboard 4 Cancer was founded by three Gorge locals inspired to put on a small event for community good. One of those founders, Tonia Farman, led the event for its first fifteen years as it grew into a beloved community tradition. After several years away, Tonia has returned to help guide KB4C into its next chapter — reigniting the event with the same spirit of purpose and community that started it all.

Today, Kiteboard 4 Cancer (KB4C) continues to to be a community-driven endurance wind sport event in the Columbia River Gorge that brings together athletes, volunteers, sponsors, and spectators to raise funds and awareness for programs that strengthen the health and well-being of our community.

What goes on?

THE DERBY: A 6-hour wind endurance race on the mighty Columbia River that challenges participants both physically and mentally. The Derby is designed to embody the battle that someone facing cancer endures every day.

The 2026 Derby is open to kiteboarders, kitefoilers, wingfoilers, parawingers, and windsurf foilers!

THE SWIM: A new addition to KB4C in 2024, this one-mile open water swim in the Columbia River tests the endurance and grit of the most avid swimmers.

Stay tuned for a complete list of weekend events, which will go live April 30. Sign up for email updates here so you don’t miss a thing.

What does KB4C benefit

New this year, the event selected three beneficiaries whose work strengthens the well-being and resilience of our community. Learn about each here.:

  1. Columbia Gorge Health Council

  2. The KB4C Uncompensated Care Fund at CGHC

  3. The Next Door

These local organizations serve the Gorge community in the areas of cancer care, support and mental health and wellness.

For the past 17 years, KB4C has benefited organizations such as Children’s Hospital Seattle, Children’s Healing Art Project, John Wayne Cancer Foundation, Celilo Cancer Center, OHSU Adolescent & Young Adult Clinic, and Project Koru, the local organization here in Hood River that was started because of Kiteboard 4 Cancer.

Kiteboard 4 Cancer 2026 is independently organized and is not affiliated with any one non-profit organization.

What is Kiteboarding?

Kiteboarding is a water sport where one uses the power of a large kite, combined with the surface of a board (similar to a surfboard or wakeboard) to glide across the water under pure wind power. The Columbia Gorge and Hood River just happen to be the birthplace of kiteboarding and a major destination for kiteboarding lessons, travel, and adventures because it is windy from mid-May through mid-September. All. the. time!

Amazing! Where do I sign up!

Our registration will go live by April 30.

What KB4C has achieved:

  • Raised over $1.5 million for various regional cancer programs.

  • Sent over 700 young survivors to Project Koru cancer survivorship programs.

  • Launched a new spirit of community and inspiration amongst kiteboarders.

  • Became an entry event for many new kiteboarders to learn and progress in the sport.

  • Inspired collaboration with respected cancer centers such as Stanford Cancer Center, OHSU Knight Cancer Institute, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern, and The Ulman Cancer Fund.