March 2024

Volume #25, Number #3

March, 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

This month's featured photo was taken by Jason Davis. As he guides a paddle raft through Oak Springs, in the summer of 2023. During a TRR event.

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.

Oak Springs Summer 2023

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

Scott Ogren, Webmaster

Bruce Ripley, Safety Auction Lead

President's Corner

Presidents Corner

The seasonal transition of Winter to Spring is probably without a doubt, everyone’s favorite seasonal change of the year. Saying good riddance to the icy, cold, dark and gloomy winter conditions of the past several months to the vibrant rebirth of spring. As our long time club member Kevin Buck would put it, we’ve stepped out of the four months of dark and…

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 President's Day Rogue Trip

This year was a rainy one, with around 1.5 inches accumulating across the region during our trip. With all that rain…

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

Foot Entrapments

This month we have a great write up by our fearless leader, regarding foot entrapments. Sometimes swimming is unavoidable, but staying calm, working to self-rescue and remembering this basic rule can usually keep you out of trouble. You can’t clearly see what’s under the water. Rocks, logs and other obstacles can be…

Gear Corner

Gear Review

A thanks to https://triadrivertours.com/river-research/2018/1/16/sweep-kit-pin-kit-contents, for their input for what they feel are good inclusions for an un-pin kit. Remember we have our upcoming river safety class in April. The pin kit can be large or small depending on the situation but needs to be able to be…

Recipe of the Month

ROTM: Charlotte Russe

This rum-soaked ladyfingers cake recipe was originally submitted by Chris Gamgene to the OWA, Oregon Whitewater is Cooking cookbook.

Knot of the Month

KOTM: Bowline

A bowline knot makes a loop tied at the end of a rope. The bowline has several uses as it can be tied around a object, is reasonably secure when loaded, and unties easily with no load, but it can slip or untie with no load.

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.

Upcoming River Trips

May 03

Grande Ronde River, Minam to Boggans (60mi), Class II+

May 3, 2024, 8:00 AM – May 5, 2024, 1:00 PM

May 25

Klickitat River ~ Class III+

May 25, 2024 – May 27, 2024

May 28

Upper Natches River ~ Class II+ (III)

May 28, 2024 – May 30, 2024

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.

Note about additional photos here.