November 2025

Volume 26, Number 8

November, 2025

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 contributed by Scott Harvey.  In this photo we see OWA member Ben Plummer finding his line through Mill City Falls on the North Santiam River during the club's October Fall Color Float.

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

Brenda Bunce, President
Meredith Brezinski, Vice President - Events
Karl Mitsch, Vice President - Newsletter
Justin Richard, Secretary
Doug Smith, Treasurer
Tom Riggs, Membership Director
Jason Urasky, Technology Director
William Brezinski, Training Director

OWA Volunteers

Scott Harvey, Trip Coordinator, Newsletter Editor
Cary Solberg, Advertising Editor
Scott Ogren, Webmaster
Steve Oslund, First Aid Kits
Bruce Ripley, Safety Auction Lead
Matt Saucy, Boating 101 Lead
Jared Linkhart, Safety Training Associate

President's Corner

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One of the things I love most about our club is that we’re more than just a group of boaters—we’re a river community.…

Next OWA Meeting

 
Event: November Club Meeting
Location: Flying Pie Pizza - 7804 SE Stark St, Portland, OR 97215
Website:  http://www.flying-pie.com/locations/portland

Date: Wednesday, November 12th, 2025

Time: 6:00 p.m. - 8:15 p.m.

Schedule:     

  • 6:00 – 6:30     Social Time with Pizza
  • 6:30 - 7:15      Club Business
  • 7:15 - 8:15      Presentation
  • 8:15 - 8:30      Clean-up

Topic: The Tatshenshini

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Speaker: Mary Turner, Matt Saucy and Steve Oslund

Speaker Bio: These twelve OWA members embarked on 131 mile journey in the SE Alaska outback.  Adventure commenced as the group was thrust into wild adventure! Wildlife! Scenery! Glaciers!  Icebergs!

Description: Come on down, enjoy pizza, salad and refreshments 

Note: There will also be a collection for used Winter clothing at the November club meeting. Four-Square Church Pastor David Pauli offers clothing and food year-round for those individuals in need in East County. If you have some used clothing to donate, please bring the clean and washed clothing to this week's meeting in either a paper grocery bag or plastic trash bag. Items in special need for both men and women are winter coats, jackets, sweaters, vests, gloves, scarfs and beanie caps. Year round clothing such as pants, sweatshirts, shirts, t-shirts and shoes are also always needed.

 

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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

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There are two very distinct Fall weather patterns here in the Northwest. The early Fall conditions that become a welcome…

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 

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Embarking on a whitewater rafting adventure means immersing yourself in the rugged beauty of the wilderness. While the…
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The American Whitewater Accident Summary for January–June 2025 is now available online. Since our inception, American…
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American Whitewater worked intently on two cycles of the biannual Water Resources Development Act to ensure a National…

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.

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.

Here are some more shots for the North Santiam Fall Colors Float.

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