Intro to Playing and Paddling in Currents Take Two - A Skills Session - L2 - T2536

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.

Timestamp 4/6/2025 20:43:48
Full Name: Brenda C. Brewer
Email address: abcbrewer@gmail.com
Phone: 941-504-4513
Activity Title: Intro to Playing and Paddling in Currents Take Two - A Skills Session
Date of Activity: 4/12/2025
Narrative: Springtime on the Willamette means faster currents, and we will take a small group of learners out to play where the Tualatin meets the Willamette. This skills session is for folks who have passed their wet exit certification, have paddled some, and who want more experience paddling in faster currents. We will edge, we will paddle, we will brace, and we may capsize.

As we may recall, the Willamette was too high and too fast to play in our first attempt last month, so we are planning another outing. First, Steve Blackwood will give a shore talk about eddylines, currents, edging, and bracing, and how to manage your boat in these conditions. Next, we will paddle into the currents and peel out a few times. Then we will practice crossing the currents and coming back again. This will be a fun learning experience, and once we are done, we will paddle back to Willamette Park and help each other load our boats.

We will have six paddlers and three leaders. Capsizing is always a possibility, and our TO’s are very good at helping get folks back in their boats. Drysuit and helmet will be required. Bring an extra set of warm dry paddling clothes in case you get chilled; the water is still cold and it's likely to rain. Also bring a snack and something to drink. And last, please sign up for the wait list to be approved for this session- this is not so much for our highly experienced experts, it's more for those who wish to learn these skills. We will launch from, and return to, the boat ramp - being mindful and courteous to power boaters by not blocking the ramp and not taking a long time there.

Meeting Time: 9:00:00 AM
Launch Time: 10:00:00 AM
Type of activity: Paddle Trip
Put in: Willamette Park, West Linn. 2000-2016 Volpp St., West Linn, OR 97068. We will launch from the boat ramp
Take out: Willamette Park, West Linn. 2000-2016 Volpp St., West Linn, OR 97068
Route Alternative for bad weather: Shorten the trip. If conditions render it unsafe, we will postpone.
Required equipment: Helmet
Minimum Immersion protection: Drysuit
Primary Organizer: Brenda C. Brewer
Co-Organizer(s): Steve Blackwood, Jon Light-Powell
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 (3 leaders, 6 non-leaders)
I certify that I understand and will conduct this activity in accordance with the OOPS Activity Policy: Yes
Estimated Air Temperature: mid-to-upper 40's. Rain likely.
Estimated Water Temperature: upper 40's - low 50's
Estimated Water Time (including breaks/lunch): 3 hours
Tide times & heights: N/A
Current information: 1-2 knots
Hazards:
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 2: 6 to 11 miles
Open crossing: Level 2: Between 0.5 and 1 miles
Paddling Environment:
Overall rating: Level 2
Rating Comments: The current may be faster right at the confluence of the Tualatin and Willamette, otherwise 1-2 knots
Location: Willamette Park, West Linn. 2000-2016 Volpp St., West Linn, OR 97068
Photos (Optional):
COVID-19 Status of Trip: Participants of this trip may, or may not, be vaccinated for Covid-19
Tide Station: N/A
Link to map of route (Optional)