May 2023

Volume 24, Number 5

May, 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 taken by Kimberly Long at the River Safety Training in April.  

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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Looks like spring boating season is back in full swing here in the Northwest that includes Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Northern California. With a healthy residual mountain snowpack to carry us through the month of June on most of our smaller tributaries and possibly July/August on our larger river drainages… It should be a good summer boating season for…

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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Salt River, Arizona 2300-2050 cfs. Just go far right or far left at Rat Trap.  That is the rock that Dave Audet wrapped on in 2017”  How hard could it be with this experienced group?  After all we were a well seasoned group of rafters including Blair St Denis, Frank Mayer, Tom Riggs, each veterans of previous Salt River wars, and the group included…

River Trip Resources

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

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.