Hood River, OR, WPH Press –
The 10th annual Hood River Invitational is scheduled for May 30th at the Elks Lodge in Hood River, Oregon. The Hood River Handball Association is grateful to partner with the World Players of Handball for eighth consecutive edition of the HRI to promote this charitable event.
The Hood River Invitational began in 2015 and continued through 2019 before taking two years off due to the pandemic. After restarting in 2022, the tournament has continued to thrive and grow in popularity, always quickly filling to the 40-participant capacity. The tournament runs in a unique format, dividing into “A” and “B” groups, and pairing the top and bottom players to create even teams who compete in a round robin format before playing off for each position.
Past champions include Oregon State Singles champions Dalton Beall and Kyle English, Pacific Northwest Regional champion Cody Townsend, and WPH R48 Pro Vic Perez. Confirmed participants this year include Beall, English, and Townsend, as well as current State Champion Jorge Pimentel, and former State Champions Matt Steele and Aaron Garner.
In addition to the strong competition, the Hood River Invitational is also known for being a charitable event, serving as a fundraiser for medical bills for children and young people in the Oregon/Washington area suffering from serious illnesses. In 2022, the tournament raised more than $4000 for a little boy battling cancer. In 2023 the tournament raised more than $4000 for the family of a teenage boy who passed away from brain cancer. In 2024 the tournament raised more than $7000 (an HRI record) for a little boy recovering from severe burn injuries. And in 2025 the tournament raised $5000 for a young man battling cancer. This year the Hood River Invitational will be raising funds for another individual who is battling cancer.
Not everyone can play in the Hood River Invitational due to the participant capacity, but everyone can help the cause. If you are interested in supporting the 2026 Hood River Invitational, please donate HERE
Please contact the Hood River Handball Association at hoodriverha@gmail.com with any questions.
Nick Flores, Chairman
Oregon Handball Association