August/September 2023

Volume 24, Number 6

August/September, 2023

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 provided by Scott Harvey on the Upper Skagit River in Northern Washington.

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
Meredith Brezinski Vice President - Events
Kimberly Long, Vice President - Newsletter
Steve Kasper, Secretary
Paul Vermilya, Treasurer
Steve Herring, Membership Director
Jason Urasky, Technology Director
Will Brezinski, Training Director

OWA Volunteers

Cary Solberg, Advertising Editor
Bruce Ripley, Safety Auction Lead
Steve Oslund, First Aid Kit Organizer

Scott Harvey,  Trip Editor

Jared Linkhart,  Safety Associate

President's Corner

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President's Corner
First off, I would like to personally apologize to the club and it's members for the late publication of this newsletter for I have been out of commission for the past two months. Earlier during this spring boating season, I had been experiencing several months of awesome high water boating until May 14th rolled around were I was literally whacked off my…

Next OWA Club Meeting

May 08
May Club Meeting
May 8, 2024, 6:00 PM – 8:15 PM

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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Trip Report: 2023 McKenzie River Non-Rafting Trip
If you’ve ever tried to book the Horse Creek Group Site near the McKenzie River, you’ll know how difficult it is to do so, and how many mornings you get up the year before to try to submit, only to see it booked out for another week or two. So, in summer 2022 we decided to go for a full week in 2023 to try and get it – and WE FINALLY SUCCEDED!! For a full year Brenda Bunce and I were looking forward to spending the entire week of Aug. 13-20 in this fantastic campground – days spent rafting,…
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Trip Report: Snake River Hells Canyon
Our crew of 14 launched below Hells Canyon dam on Saturday, August 26 on a 4 day trip, taking out at Pittsburg Landing, 32 miles downstream. I was invited by a friend from Salt Lake City and the TL and most of the others were scientists or professors associated with Oregon State University, past and present. When I first heard about the trip, I assumed we were going from the dam to Heller Bar in 4 days, and having floated the 20 flat miles from the confluence of the Salmon to Heller Bar a month…

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. 

Recipe of the Month

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ROTM: Hells Canyon Stroganoff
This river version of stroganoff was originally submitted by Sandra Hamilton for the OWA Cookbook. I have never personally seen the canned sirloin or powdered sour cream she refers to in the recipe - you can make the recipe as is, or I challenge someone to modernize it and resubmit a new version for next month's newsletter.

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 River Trips

May 03
Grande Ronde River, Minam to Boggans (60mi), Class II+
May 3, 2024, 8:00 AM – May 5, 2024, 1:00 PM
May 25
Klickitat River ~ Class III+
May 25, 2024 – May 27, 2024
May 28
Upper Natches River ~ Class II+ (III)
May 28, 2024 – May 30, 2024

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.