Presidents Corner
Presidents Corner - January/February
By Scott Harvey
Greetings Fellow Club Members,
New Board Members: 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. I’d like to personally thank both Kimberly Criss Long for her four years on the board as the OWA Vice President Newsletter and Paul Vermilya for his four years on the board as the OWA Treasurer. They both have volunteered many hours to their elected position, to keep the club running smoothly and efficiently. It’s not easy at times balancing work, home life and board position duties. Thanks Kimberly and Paul. I’d like to also welcome aboard both Jason Davis as the new OWA Vice President Newsletter and Doug Smith as the new OWA Treasurer. Both individuals have already taken off running with their new duties. Welcome to the board Jason and Doug!
Club Business: We’re also in the process of finalizing our budget for 2024. Along with getting the Safety Pool Session and River Safety Training at Dodge park finalized. Also preparing for the Safety Auction coming up in two months. We have several interesting speakers lined up for the club meetings at Flying Pie Pizzeria for this spring and next fall. For example, Thomas O’Keefe with American Whitewater and Geologist Professor Scott Burns is back to give another interesting lecture on the dynamic geology of the Northwest. Check the OWA website for club meeting updates! There also will be several more river trips added to the club calendar for 2024. Make sure to check out the OWA trip calendar periodically. We have some of our traditional river trips taking place this year, along with occasionally adding short notice day and overnight trips to the schedule. Note: some of the short notice trips are due to unpredictable river flows and busy schedules of the trip leader.
Safety Training: Our Safety Pool Session will be taking place this spring at North Clackamas Aquatic Park (7300 SE Harmony Rd, Milwaukie, OR 97222) on Wednesday, March 20th this year at 6:30 p.m.. We will also be offering our River Safety Training Session at Dodge Park, along the Sandy River again this year. The weekend in April we are shooting for is April 13th and 14th. Updates and signing up for the River Safety Training will be published on our OWA website calendar and an H2Oaddicts email will also be sent out to club members, once the training details and agreements have been finalized.
Reminder: If your club membership expires this year, you’ll have until April, 2024 to renewal. Membership Director, Steve Herring has already been sending out email reminders to those members who are expiring this year. Consider rejoining for a 3-year renewal at a cost of $74 (12% discount) and not worry about renewing until 2027!
Don’t forget to purchase your state of Oregon Waterway Access and Aquatic Invasive Species permit. A Waterway Access Permit is required for non-motorized boats 10 feet and longer on Oregon rivers. This includes rafts, catboats, kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddle boards, etc. The cost is $19 for one year or $32 for two years. They can be purchased online via Oregon Marine Board’s; Boat Oregon Store or through an ODFW license agent, such as Bi Mart, Sportsman Warehouse, Fisherman’s Marine and Cabela’s.
Cheers and Safe Boating,
Scott Harvey, OWA President