April/May 2022

Volume 23, Number 4

April/May, 2022

The Oregon Whitewater Association brings private boaters together for the enjoyment of whitewater boating. Our vision is to promote whitewater safety and training for all of our membership in an effort to provide safety awareness and confidence when executing river rescue skills. OWA is the community of choice where fun and river adventures thrive and where people and rivers connect.

Photo of the Month

This month's featured photo was taken by Bruce Bradshaw on the Owyhee in March.

If you want to have your favorite river picture featured, send it to vicepresident-newsletter(at)oregonwhitewater.org. You can also submit pictures through Instagram or the OWA Facebook group.

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Contact Information

Your OWA Officers and Volunteers

OWA Board of Directors

Scott Harvey, President
Steve Adams, Vice President - Events
Kimberly Long, Vice President - Newsletter
Steve Kasper, Secretary
Paul Vermilya, Treasurer
Steve Herring, Membership Director
Scott Ogren, Technology Director
Matt Saucy, Training Director

OWA Volunteers

Scott Harvey, Trip Editor
Cary Solberg, Advertising Editor
Scott Ogren, Webmaster
Kimberly Long, Newsletter Editor
Bruce Ripley, Safety Auction Lead
Steve Oslund, First Aid Kit Organizer

President's Corner

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That’s correct, the OWA Safety Program is back on track for 2022! The two day River Safety Training and Friday evening course is set happened on April 8th thru 10th. The Friday evening course was two hours at Mary S. Young State Park and consisted…

Next OWA Meeting

Meeting link will be sent out via H2OAddicts and posted in the OWA Facebook group

What: Rivers of Southern Oregon and Northern California

Who:   Will Volpert

When:    May 11th, 2022, 6:30pm

Where:  Flying Pie Pizzeria (SE Stark, Portland) and Zoom

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Will Volpert who is the owner of Indigo Creek Outfitters near Medford & Ashland will be giving a presentation on rivers…

Do you know of a speaker for one of our monthly meetings?

Do you know someone engaging, entertaining, and full of knowledge who you would like to hear speak at a club meeting? Any club member who successfully connects OWA with a speaker for one of our meetings will be entered into a prize drawing for a $150 gift certificate to one of our sponsors. To discuss a potential speaker, email VicePresident-Events(at)oregonwhitewater.org.

Trip Reports

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04/08- 04/10/2022, Camas Creek to Monument (With apologies to those who would prefer to keep this little gem of a float…
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March 9th was an exciting night at the North Clackamas Aquatic Center! The night began with an introduction of the…
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River Safety Class 2022 was a success! With a full class roster and a host of incredible teachers, we learned a lot,…

River Trip Resources

Stay safe and healthy on the river and be prepared for emergencies.

Do you have a trip coming up? OWA has two extensive Wilderness First Aid kits and AED’s that go on all club trips and are available for club members to take on private trips. You can check them out by sending an email to firstaid(at)oregonwhitewater.org

Special Features

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Check out photos of some of OWA members' favorite river moms.

Do you have something to share with the OWA community through the newsletter?

Do you want to share the tale of your latest multi-day rafting adventure or just the basics of your recent day run?  Do you have a recipe your river friends must try? Is there other river-related content you want to share? Any club member who submits written content published in the newsletter will be entered into a prize drawing for 1 of 2 $75 gift certificates to one of our sponsors.  Submitting photos gets you a chance to win 1 of 2 $25 gift certificates.  To submit newsletter content or photos for our social media accounts, email VicePresident-Newsletter(at)oregonwhitewater.org.

Upcoming OWA Trips and Other River Events

The new website and trip calendar are under construction.  Stay tuned.  Soon the trip calendar will be mobile device friendly!  Until then, you can visit the trip calendar at the soon-to-be-old website.

Oregon Whitewater Association Trip Calendar

May 20th-24th Rogue River Lodge Trip

June 2nd-5th Upper North Umpqua River & Dutch Oven Cookoff

June 4th  Klickitat River Festival Event

June 22nd-26th  McKenzie River Weekend 

Please visit the Oregon Whitewater Association Trip Calendar for more trips and events!

OWA has a Facebook group exclusively for members.  It is a great place to connect with other members to meet up at the river or exchange gear tips. Anyone can follow the OWA Instagram page. 

AWlogo.pngOWA is an affiliate member of American Whitewater.  OWA members receive a $10 discount off of individual membership.  American Whitewater is a national non-profit 501©(3) river conservation organization with a mission is to protect and restore America’s whitewater rivers and to enhance opportunities to enjoy them safely.  Click the Logo to visit the AW website and learn more.

A little bit of chilly weather doesn't stop the OWA crew from learning some safety skills at the 2022 River Safety Training course. Photos submitted by Heather Garrison.

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