OOPS Friends and soon to be friends. These meetings are open to anyone interested in OOPS.
Please join us in welcoming back Tim Mattson, a retired kayak coach and scientist. Out in the ocean sitting in our kayaks, we encounter a rich world of science. Last time we met, the conversation was all about physics. This time we’ll explore biology (and a bit of chemistry). Along the way, we will encounter cats, dinoflagellates, whales, and other biological wonders.
Tim Mattson’s Bio: I am a scientist (PhD theoretical chemistry). I retired in 2023 after a 40-year career in high performance computing supporting great research in geophysics, nuclear physics, molecular biology, theoretical chemistry, and more.
I am obsessed with kayaking. I started paddling in 1997. The goal was to bring balance to my life; to do things that didn’t happen on a computer. Over time, I became quite good at kayaking. How? I had help from excellent instructors (Steve Scherrer, Cindy Scherrer, and Karl Anderson), but mostly excellence emerged by working with groups of like-minded paddlers to figure this “kayaking stuff” out on our own. Working with a community based largely in the South Puget Sound, we figured out how traditional paddling worked (we went on to found SSTIKS). A good friend and I went to the coast almost every Sunday morning for over a year to figure out how to surf and survive paddling in rough coastal waters. I learned group management and how to train kayaking leaders by working with the trip organizer team in OOPS.
The point is … it takes a village to create an excellent paddler. You need people to work with as you figure this kayaking stuff out. This is why OOPS is so important. Wherever you want to go with your paddling, chances are the “village” you need is inside OOPS.
We will meet in-person at the Lucky Lab in Multnomah Village. If you can't make it to the Lucky Lab, you can still join remotely via Zoom. Zoom is subject to technical issues so please be patient with your all volunteer team making these and all OOPS activities possible.
Joining from The Lucky Lab Multnomah Village? We'll be ready for you to join us upstairs at 6:00 for social time. This is also your time to grab food and a beverage (bring your $$, this is a no-host gathering). We'll start with announcements at 6:45, the main presentation at 7:00 and wrap up around 8:00.
Joining from home? We'll open the Zoom room at 6:30 for casual conversation and OOPS updates. We'll start with the main presentation at 7:00 and wrap up around 8:00. If you want to join this way you MUST register at least 48 hours before the meeting or risk not receiving the link to join the meeting. As a backup plan, the Zoom meeting link will be sent to the OOPS listserv one day prior to the meeting.
Accessibility information: Please email us to let us know if you have any accessibility needs and we'll do our best to meet them. Note, the Multnomah Village Lucky Lab has stairs and no elevator to reach the meeting space. There is somewhat limited street parking. Please plan for time to find a place to park. Tri-Met's line 44 drops off right at the Lucky Lab!
Comments, questions, ideas? Send them our way!
Lynn and Andy programs@oopskayak.org
