Ride in The Derby

Welcome to the KB4C presented by Project Koru!

Some information about the Derby:

The KB4C Derby is a six-hour endurance race around a course in Hood River, OR. The goal is to push athletes to their limits, testing their strength as well as their tenacity. Riders can compete solo or join 4 others and form a team. Each competitor (or team) will have a scoring chip attached to their harness, which will count the number of laps around the approximately 1-and-a-half-mile course. Divisions will include Kiteboarding without a foil board, Kiteboarding with a foil board, and Winging with a foil board. Teams will also be split into these three divisions in addition to a fourth multi-sport division (example: one team rider might want to Kiteboard without foil, and another team member might want to Wing). Athletes riding a foil board will go around a slightly different course to ensure safety. Racers and teams will accumulate laps, which can be viewed live online courtesy of E8 timing.

Common questions:

• Do I need to ride for all six hours if I sign up solo?

  • NO. If you register as a solo rider, you can ride for as long or as short as you like. We encourage you to partake in the many events happening at the Event Site. Solo riders can launch and land as many times as they like in the six-hour window.

• If I miss the start, am I out of the race?

  • NO. You can still enter the race at any time during the open course window.

• I don’t go upwind very well, and I don’t want to get in the way. Is this still safe and fun for me?

  • YES! The course is set up so athletes can go around the course in a manner that’s comfortable for them. If you can go upwind and around the course, you are eligible.

• I’m not trying to win the race. Is it fun being out there anyway?

  • YES! This race is so much fun because of the action on the water. With the course setup the way it is, there’s no way to tell who’s in first place just by looking at the race. All racers will feel the excitement of passing others, in addition to the incredible feeling of knowing you’re doing all of this to support cancer survivors.

• If I’m on a team, do all of us race at the same time?

  • NO. Teams will have one tracking chip. Only one team member will be on the course at a time.

• Can my team help me in any way while I’m racing?

  • YES. Experienced teams will work together to maximize their time on the water. Team members can help launch and land kites. Team members can and will help transfer the tracking chip from one racer to another.

• Can I switch gear during the race?

  • YES. Racers can land and switch kites or wings as many times as they like. Solo racers cannot switch divisions mid race (i.e. a solo Winger cannot choose to switch to Kiteboarding mid race.)

• What happens if I accidentally drop my kite and can’t get it up or tangle with another rider?

  • Safety is our number-one concern. There will be jet skis on the water at all times, with the sole purpose of rescuing/water safety. Once rescued, you will be delivered back to the Event Site, where you can do what needs to be done and get right back on the water. You will not be disqualified or penalized for being rescued.

• I’m coming with other people (family or friends), and they don’t kite or wing. Will they still like this? Will they see me?

  • Yes and YES!  The Event Site will be rocking all day with music, games, raffles, auctions, and much more. The course comes very close to shore, so every rider will come within shouting distance every lap.

• I’m racing solo. Can I use shore support from either a friend or family member?

  • YES. Many racers will have small “pit stops” in waist-deep water just off the Event Site where they can have water or food delivered to them. You can also have your “pit crew” help switch out kites in case the conditions change.

• What will the wind conditions be?

  • This is the gorge, so really anything can happen, but the odds are the wind will be between 15 and 30 mph.

• Who’s the fastest?

  • Grom Gormley is the all-time leader with 9 victories and will be announcing this year’s race. Canada’s Sam Medysky is second. After winning in 2023, Medysky has two victories and will be returning this year in hopes of another. Justi Vonada is the top female racer with 4 victories and nearly beat the entire men’s division on three separate occasions. In addition to winning in 2023, Vonada is one of the top fundraisers and plans on returning in 2024.