As I paddle toward nearly 20 years of being part of our amazing OWA river family, I find myself reflecting on just how much this community has shaped my life. It’s not just the miles of whitewater we've tackled together — it's the friendships, the shared campfires, the lessons learned, and the endless spirit of adventure that define who we are.
Lately, I’ve been thinking about how important it is that we continue to pass that spirit of
that same sense of belonging, excitement, and stewardship to our newest members and
those yet to come. I had the chance recently to swing by our annual Swift Water Rescue training — what an inspiring sight! Watching our members, new and seasoned alike, sharpening their river rescue skills, despite the frigid temperatures and cold waters of the Sandy river, reminded me why OWA is such a special community. I’m proud that we’ve stayed true to one of the pillars of our club: promoting whitewater safety training at an affordable cost.
I also had the opportunity of attending a gathering of current and former board members of
American Whitewater (AW). Sitting among so much wisdom, passion, and dedication to
preserving river access and hearing the stories of the hard work they do to lobby at local,
state and federal levels to influence laws and regulations towards river conservation and
protection, left me in awe. It’s a powerful reminder that our collective efforts — whether
on a small eddy or a big river — truly make a difference.
As always, we are a big club with countless adventures happening year-round. Please share
your river stories and photos with us! Our Vice President of Newsletters is eagerly waiting
to hear from you — let’s keep the stoke alive and celebrate each other’s journeys.
Here’s to embracing the new faces joining our adventures, and continuing to protect the
wild places we love. See you on the river!
