January/February 2024

Volume 25, Number 2

Jan/Feb 2024

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

Thank you to Clackamas River Outfitter for providing this months photo of the month.

Thank you to those who joined us at River Rat Sunday January 21, 2023

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.

River Rat Sunday January

Contact Information

Your OWA Officers and Volunteers

OWA Board of Directors

Scott Harvey, President

Meredith Brezinski, Vice President - Events

Jason Davis, Vice President - Newsletter

Steve Kasper, Secretary

Doug Smith, Treasurer

Steve Herring, Membership Director

Jason Urasky, Technology Director

Will Brezinski, Training Director

OWA Volunteers

Scott Harvey, Trip Editor

Cary Solberg, Advertising Editor

Jason Urasky, Webmaster

Jason Davis, Newsletter Editor

Bruce Ripley, Safety Auction Lead

President's Corner

Presidents Corner

For the last two months, it’s been extra busy for both the OWA board and myself. To begin with, we’re transitioning between elected officers.

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 $75 gift certificate to one of our sponsors. Club members who give a presentation will also be entered into a prize drawing. To discuss a potential speaker, email VicePresident-Events(at)oregonwhitewater.org.

Trip Reports

Trip Report: 2024 New Year's Day Sandy River Float

01/01/2023 Dodge to Oxbow, 5300 cfs. Mild temperatures and sunny skies is what greeted eager boaters and passengers on Sunday morning who showed up at Dodge Park for the annual Sandy River “New Year’s Day Float”. It was quite a difference from last year’s, New Year’s Day float where the weather conditions last year required a skull cap and neoprene gloves,…

TRR Rogue River Oct 2023

In looking forward to OWA Presidents Day Wild and Scenic Rogue River trip we wanted to highlight Team River Runners latest trip down the Rogue. As you may know we have a handful of members that enjoy assisting TRR.

River Trip Resources

Hydrologic Forecast for Regional Western Rivers

Western States & Regional River Flow Data

Snowpack Data for Western States

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 Feature

Safety Series

Thank you to Lower Columbia Canoe Club for their safety series. Please use this link to access some great information. https://youtu.be/SM3A9j-1yjA?feature=shared

Gear Corner

Soggy Sneakers

An important part for anybody navigating a river is knowing what to expect. One piece of equipment good to have is a guidebook "Soggy Sneakers". This highlights many of the best runs in Oregon, and it is reasonably priced.

Recipe of the Month

ROTM: Wintertime Casserole

Knot of the Month

KOTM: Water Knot

A knot that lays flat when tying together 2 ends of webbing.

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 a $150 gift certificate to one of our sponsors. To submit newsletter content or photos for our social media accounts, email VicePresident-Newsletter(at)oregonwhitewater.org.

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.

OWA 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.

Here are some pictures taken while on our trip in October on the Wild and Scenic Rogue River.

Gold on the Rogue
Brian Christopher guiding
Congestion on Mule Creek Canyon