Cold Water Safety Class

Hello OOPS Friends.  Do you have a cold water safety net, yet?

Learn how to be safe and comfortable when paddling on cold water – regardless of the weather. This class will teach you why cold water is dangerous and how to prevent and mitigate the risks by building a reliable cold water safety net. You'll learn how to spot the early warning signs of cold stress and troubleshoot complex situations. You'll also have the opportunity to test your cold water gear and become intimately familiar with how it works for you. 

Register now - there is room for 20 participants.

Note: This class is presented in three parts:

1. Assigned reading and videos to be completed prior to the class.

2. A two-hour in-person class held at the Willamette Sailing Club, 6336 S. Beaver Avenue, Portland, OR 97239. Parking is available in front of the building.

3. An on-water opportunity to Swim-Test your immersion gear in cold water.  This test is optional, but strongly encouraged. The facility has changing rooms where you can put on your immersion gear (wetsuit / drysuit). Then you'll walk out to the dock where we'll do a safety briefing and zipper check.  There's a ramp leading into the water as well as a ladder. It's up to you how long you stay into the water.  Some people stay in longer until they're feeling cold, others get out when they've gotten a good feel for their gear.