CANCELLED - Playing and Edging in Currents - A Skills Session - L2 - T2527

To sign up for this trip get on the  "Request Approval Waitlist"  waitlist. When you are approved for the trip the TO will send you a password for a "Approved For Trip by TO" ticket.

Full Name: Brenda C. Brewer
Narrative: Playing and Edging in Currents
This skills session is for Level 2 OOPS paddlers who have some experience paddling, and who want to learn more about paddling in faster currents. Steve Blackwood and David Nesson have kindly agreed to work with folks who want to grow their skills.

Springtime on the Willamette means faster currents, and we will take a small group out to play where the Tualatin meets the Willamette. Steve will begin - he will talk about how to enter a current, the importance of edging, and how a brace will help you stay upright. Next, we will practice edging, bracing, and a low brace turn. We will then paddle into the current, paddle with the current, peel out a few times, and cross the current. If time and energy allow, David will then lead us across the Willamette and up to the Narrows to find some other areas of higher current, where we will again practice our edging, bracing, and entering/exiting faster currents. Then we will paddle back downstream to Willamette Park and help each other load our boats.

We will have six paddlers and three TO’s. Please be aware that capsizing is always a possibility - our TO’s are very good at helping get folks back in their boats. Drysuit and helmet are required, and please wear warm clothes under your drysuit in case you go in. Bring an extra set of warm dry clothes in case you get chilled. Also bring lunch and a drink, perhaps something hot. So - if edging, bracing, and current are kind of new to you and you want to develop these skills, this is a good session for you. Please sign up for the wait list to be approved for this session.
Meeting Time: 9:30:00 AM
Launch Time: 10:30:00 AM
Type of activity: Paddle Trip
Put in: Willamette Park, West Linn. 2000-2016 Volpp St., West Linn, OR 97068
Take out: Willamette Park, West Linn. 2000-2016 Volpp St., West Linn, OR 97068
Route Alternative for bad weather: Shorten the trip or reschedule. If the river is running too high, we will reschedule.
Required equipment: Helmet
Minimum Immersion protection: Drysuit
Primary Organizer: Brenda C. Brewer
Co-Organizer(s): Steve Blackwood, David Nesson
Has organizer paddled here before? Yes
Has organizer led an OOPS paddle here before? Yes
Organizer's first aid and CPR current? Yes
First Aid /CPR Person: Brenda C. Brewer
Maximum number of paddlers: 9 (three TO's, six partipants)
I certify that I understand and will conduct this activity in accordance with the OOPS Activity Policy: Yes
Estimated Air Temperature: Upper 40's to mid 50's
Estimated Water Temperature: Approx 48 Farenheit
Estimated Water Time (including breaks/lunch): 4 hours
Tide times & heights: N/A
Current information: Approx 2 mph
Hazards: Shipping traffic
Wind strength: Level 2: 7-12 knots (14 mph) – wind noticeably effects movement of paddle
Swell/Surf size: Level 2: Waves up to 2', no breaking waves
Sea state: Level 2: Waves up to armpit; light to moderate chop, scattered whitecaps
Landing types: Level 2: Frequent landing opportunities including docks or moderate sloping banks, brush or overhanging trees
Currents: Level 2: Mild currents (up to 2 knots): current increases / decreases group speed by half
Total distance: Level 1: Up to 6 miles
Open crossing: Level 1: Less than 0.5 miles
Paddling Environment:
Overall rating: Level 2
Rating Comments: Overall current should run around 2 knots - at the confluence of the Tualatin and the Willamette it may get up to 3 knots briefly.
Location: Willamette Park, West Linn. 2000-2016 Volpp St., West Linn, OR 97068
Photos (Optional):
COVID-19 Status of Trip: All participants of this trip must be vaccinated for Covid-19
Tide Station: N/A
Link to map of route (Optional)