President
Message from the OWA President
As President of the Oregon Whitewater Association, I’d like to welcome you to our club! I believe that OWA represents a model of what a social club is about and is the premier whitewater club in the Pacific Northwest. Feel free to browse the website to get to know us better and please send us a message if you have any questions. We hope that you will consider dropping in at one of our monthly meetings, where the people are fun and the pizza is free. We look forward to you joining our ranks as a member.
I started whitewater rafting back in 1978 on the Stanislaus River, in the Sierra Nevada foothills. After running my very first class 3 rapid I knew this was MY sport!! I went through several guide training classes (but the guide job fell through ☹) and I ending up moving to Oregon to be near the outdoor activities I love – rafting/kayaking, backpacking, camping, climbing, and cycling. My kids, now in their late 30’s to early 40’s, were introduced to river sports when they were maybe 3 or 4 (and yes, they knew how to swim and always wore life jackets), and in the decades since we’ve had many enjoyable and memorable family & friends river trips!
I joined OWA around 2009 and was instantly welcomed in and made to feel like I was part of the family and that's a tradition that we strive to continue today. Nobody has too little experience or isn't ready yet. We sponsor classes, training trips, and organized trips; and outside of those nearly every club member is willing to offer advice about everything related to whitewater boating from how to rig your boat, to how to do dishes in camp, to how to run a rapid. OWA is also a great way to connect with other boaters with similar skills and interests, and also to create your own trips!
As a club, we have many different types of trips on our trip calendar ranging from challenging class 5 to more mellow family trips. Whatever your preferred boating style is, you can find people who share your passion in OWA.
We often get the question “Why should I join OWA”. If I haven't convinced you already, here are some more benefits:
- First and foremost it’s a great way to meet new people and have a great time
- We are family friendly and many current member families met on club trips
- A full year of organized and scheduled river trips and club events
- Monthly club meetings featuring quality presentations and free pizza
- A unique website that provides you with useful timely information on rivers, members, and events
- Monthly newsletters
- Access to member only safety classes including: Swiftwater Rescue Training & Wilderness First Aid at a greatly reduced rate off typical retail price
- Access to member only deals
- Winter pool session for river rescue practice
- Exclusive email for members to communicate
- Exclusive Facebook group for members to communicate
Club Organization & History
OWA was formed in 2000 as a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization. The group is centered in Northwest Oregon and Southwest Washington but we have active members spread over several western states. Our mission is to provide a strong and active club for safe recreational boating. This mission allows us to focus on being a social club where you can have fun, meet new boaters and participate in group activities such as river safety events and training. The club is governed by a volunteer board and numerous committed volunteers.
There are two teams of people that have worked very hard over the past years to make this club what it is. While they do not get much of the glory, the members are the ones that make this club what it is, without an active and friendly group of members the club would stagnate and eventually dissolve. I believe that is the single biggest thing that sets OWA apart from many other social clubs. In addition to the members at large the board members that have served over the years have shaped this club into what it is today. Our founding officers provided a strong foundation and the current board continues to be very dedicated to following that model and making this club an awesome organization. There are too many names to mention here but I would like to recognize the past presidents for their special contributions:
Past Presidents
Tom Hanson Term: 2000 - 2002
Brent Davis Term: 2003 - 2006
Cary Solberg Term: 2007 - 2008
Brenda Bunce Term: 2009 – 2012
Bruce Ripley Term: 2013 - 2016
Scott Ogren Term: 2017 - 2020
Scott Harvey Term: 2021 - 2024
Brenda Bunce Term: 2025
Sincerely,
Steve Adams
President, Oregon Whitewater Association
