Century Paddle 2010

August 30-September 4th

Start Location: Jon Storm Park Oregon City OR 97045

Date/Time: Aug 30th 2010 6am-8:30am start.

Finish Location: Astoria- Jon Day Park / Pier 39

Finish Date/Time: Sept 4th, 2010 1-3:30pm finish.

Total mileage- 115 miles- 6 days 5 nights

Paddling Crafts: (Human Powered Watercraft) Kayaks, Canoes, Dragon Boats, Outriggers, Stand Up Paddleboards, Inflatables (that can be paddled 14-25 miles/day).  Some solar/wind powered assists

The Century Paddle is a 110-mile flat water sea kayak / paddle trip from Willamette Falls to the Pacific Ocean over six days and five nights (Aug. 30-Sept 4th 2010). Participants will paddle down river for about five hours a day making camp each of the five nights on the beaches of the magnificent Columbia River.

Century Paddlers will enjoy a fully supported trip complete with catered meals feasting on local foods and river stewards will haul all paddler’s personal/camping gear down stream.

We start below Willamette Falls in Oregon City, and paddle through downtown Portland. We continue past the shipyards, to Sauvie Island and up the Multnomah Channel to the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia Rivers. From here we follow the Columbia River through the Lewis and Clark National Wildlife Refuge and finish our trip in Astoria. The 2010 Century Paddlers will bring awareness and raise funds to help keep our river’s clean and to support adaptive recreation programs for disabled veterans.  We Love Clean Rivers will be coordinating shore based river cleanups with river steward volunteers along the way on the Willamette as well as the Columbia River as a way to leave the river a little cleaner than we found it.

This trip requires a moderate level of paddle sports preparation. Each participant must be familiar with basic kayak skills and self rescue techniques. We recommend paddlers should try to have a minimum of 100 hours of paddling by the start of CP10.  Paddlers need to be able to sit in a kayak for 2-3 hours at a time to complete this trip.  More detailed training techniques and preparation are available by reading Sam Drevo’s tips and techniques for CP10.  Classes and work up trips are offered by Northwest River Guides LLC and other schools all summer long.

Century Paddle was created to benefit Team River Runner PDX (using paddlesports as a means of healing and therapy for wounded veterans) & We Love Clean Rivers (promoting river stewardship by turning restoration into recreation). See teamriverrunnerpdx.org & welovecleanrivers.org for more info

Registration includes: 3 meals / day for 5 days and 2 meals on day 6- starting with breakfast on day 1, and finishing with lunch on day 6.  Gear shuttle (50lbs pp/day), on-water support / safety paddlers / sag boats/ rescue services, camping fees, nightly entertainment and social/educational activities, logistics, and training resources.

Registration also includes River Steward Kit essentials: CP10 water bottle, thermal mug/bowl, fork/spoon/knife, mesh bag, small dry bag, sun screen, Clif Bar snacks

Price: $950

Registration Available On-Line at: http://www.active.com/more-sports/portland-or/century-paddle-2010 or Call 503.772.1122 or email samdrevo@gmail.com, or don.smith.usa@gmail.com for more info. Registration is also available directly through Northwest River Guides LLC. 503.772.1122

I couldn’t believe the syncronisity when a NY Times reporter called looking for kayaking spots off the beaten path.  I spoke with her about We Love Clean Rivers- the lower Clackamas and how much cleaner it has gotten over the last few years.  I spoke with her about the Hemlock Dam Removal and how a new section has emerged from the base of what was a reseviour for over 70 years- See a feature article in the July Issue of Outside Magazine about this.  But what she was most interested in was the story of the Century Paddle’s emergence.  She was fascinated as I am about the great expanse and the tremendous ecosystem of the lower Columbia River.

It is fitting that she asked for some kayak shots on the Columbia, and they picked a picture of my rafting mentor – Val Shaull kayaking with Mt. Hood in the background.

Check out the short blurb in the travel section of the NY Times.  It is an honor to have an image published in such a prestigious newspaper.

http://travel.nytimes.com/2010/05/16/travel/16kayak-roundup.html?emc=eta1

To check out our end of summer event – go to www.centurypaddle.org

Meet Arturo Oropeza- our masterful Costa Rican partner who wows, and dazzles all of our students.  I was met at the airport by his big smile, and new this years trips were going to be better than ever.  A late night red eye from Portland flew through Newark, and on to San Jose.  Did a bunch of Roll practice in the pool with Ciado, and we all headed to the canopy tour tomorrow.  Then off to several of Costa Rica’s best rivers!  Next week we will be working with a bunch of kids (age 9-14) so it is time to go scout all the sections before they arrive.  If you are reading this from North America- sorry- it is 85 degrees right now, and NICE!

If you are interested in Costa Rica 2010, drop me a line at sam@eNRGkayaking.com.

Recently I joined neighbors and friends on a four-day trip to the lower Columbia River! We took touring kayaks, including the Feelfree Atlantis on this terrific kayak camping trip.

We started at Skamokawa, a town on the Columbia River, which has a kayak rental shop and dock. A great place to start the trip. A trip on this section of the Columbia takes precaution and planning. It’s less than 20 miles from the ocean so tides are a big factor. It can get windy. The river is quite wide in some sections. And there are 600ft long ships plying these waters. So waves plus wind plus current and ships equals planning. It’s best to head downstream with the outgoing tide and return with the incoming tide. You need to camp above the high tide line! Everything has to be timed to the tides, and because it can get windy, taking the weather forecast into account is mandatory.

We head out on a very calm morning on the outgoing tide. I’ve never experienced this section of river. But those who have say it’s never been this easy! Good, I say. The current is helping us along. We see many bald eagles, and fewer ospreys. There are some big ships, especially the car carriers, which look like big office buildings floating on the side. They are much faster than they look from a distance. And sometimes, they throw out a big wake behind. So when you see one coming get out of the shipping channel, if you happen to be in it. There are bends in the river and trees on islands. Sometimes the only way you know a ship is coming is the smokestack above the trees. There are not lots of pleasure power boats – just a few fishermen looking for salmon or sturgeon. A few hours later we reach our intended destination, a beach on the Washington side where we know there is a spot complete with a ‘kitchen’ from previous years. But this time it’s busy! But we find out the occupants are leaving tomorrow. So we move off to another site for the night. We enjoy the sun and start collecting some wood for a fire.

Luckily, the site we want is left vacant. We occupy it. Then we decide to paddle across the river to the wilderness on the other side. There are many channels over there to explore, and some floating homes anchored by hunters. We check out the estuaries, where there are more bald eagles, and take in a lunch on a floating home. It’s very pleasant!

But the wind kicks up. The waves get larger, and we start to become concerned about making it across to the other camp. Once we get out onto the main branch of the Columbia, the waves get to over two feet and some crest. This, combined with the outgoing tide means there was the regular current, the tide accelerating it, and wind coming in the opposite direction from the ocean. This made for challenging paddling! I was very relieved when we made it home to camp.

We had a dinner made in the camp kitchen. Tonight is burritos. We have a little bit of wine with dinner, and this time, lots of wood and a bonfire! There’s no end to the amount of wood that can go on that fire. And to top it off, we have fireworks! One paddler has stuffed a huge amount of very nice “mortars” into his boat and these go off for a long time. We notice somebody else had the same idea on the Oregon side of the river. Later that evening it was high tide. The tide was highest about 2:30 a.m., and near that time the ominous sound of a huge engine could be heard. I woke up to find a tanker headed by at flank speed. Knowing a wake was not far behind, I rushed down the beach to pick up any kayaks and equipment and move it up the beach. I’m glad I did, because the waves that came almost reached our tents!

On our last day, it was a matter of waiting for the wind and tides to switch to our favor. So in the afternoon, we took off toward home. Although we’d be paddling against the river current, at least the tide was slack – and the wind from the ocean would help. Well, it was no picnic. This time it was 20-25 knot winds going against the current, and a boat fully loaded with camping gear! I had mistakenly loaded the bow compartment of my Atlantis with more weight than the stern. We also had waves following us, so there were points where my 14-ft long kayak wanted to surf, then plow (submarine) into the next wave! It was unsettling to say the least, but I found some eddies on the side of the river where the current actually reversed, to it helped me beat the others by a half hour! Way cool.

There was a lot of wind out there that last day, and the waves sometimes reached three feet. It was so wavy that one of the kayakers actually got seasick! They beached their boat and another paddler towed it back to Skamokawa. I got in my car and found them by the road. Well, in the end we were all tired and hungry, and ready for a beer!

The time is NOW to expand your whitewater realm beyond the Pacific NW. The time is NOW to ditch that dry suit! Spend a week with guides from Portland’s world class kayak school in and around Quepos Costa Rica! We’ve hand picked Quepos because its location delivers a variety of peak outdoor experiences, close to surf, rainforest, mountains & rivers that offer every level of activity from class V drops to serene paddles through mangroves. Tour dates are December 5-12 and 12-19 2009!

Led by ACA-certified guides and instructors, Northwest River Guides adventure tours combine exciting on-land activities with the best whitewater experience possible. Not to sound cliche but you WILL come home with memories to last a lifetime!

Unlike other outfitters, our adventour is designed to spend the least amount of time in transit and the most time on Costa Rican rivers and surf! With world class national parks, warm water and lush jungles, sweet ocean waves and fantastic class whitewater, this is an adventure you can’t miss!

Our multi-sport extravaganza combines whitewater experiences on the Upper and Lower Naranjo, the Savegre, as well as sea kayaking and hiking, surfing, forest canopy and cultural immersion. We’ll pay a visit to Manuel Antonio National Park.

Details: Novice and intermediate whitewater kayakers with a solid roll and rafters of any level. We will tackle some There will be higher level kayaking offered on the Upper Naranjo. No experience necessary for rafters. Light hiking.

Come and enjoy the holiday season in style! Call 503-772-1122 for specifics! Equipment provided.

Join Northwest River Guides in celebrating Independence Day weekend 2009. We’re paddling THE classic desert river in Oregon  – The Deschutes!  Spend three days and two nights in this wild and scenic high desert environment!

Let us show you the fantastic whitewater and unique adventures that dot this Central Oregon river.  Our trip starts at Warm Springs and takes us downstream to Maupin. This stretch includes 50+ miles of exciting class I – III rapids. We’ll be traveling in rafts, inflatable kayaks and hardshell kayaks. We can accommodate any experience level on this great river.  This section of the Deschutes is filled with great rapids like Box Car, Wapinitia, White Horse, Bucksin Mary and Oak Springs, just to name a few.

NRG Instructors will provide top-notch instruction throughout this trip.  The warm waters and sunny skies of the Deschutes Canyon are fantastic for learning new skills and enjoying the occasional flip.

Don’t miss this unforgettable experience! Contact the office at 503.772.1122 or email northwestriverguides@gmail.com for more information or to register for the trip.

This trip includes guiding and instruction from NRG instructors, all meals, shuttle, permits, raft space or IK/kayak rental.
You’ll need your own camping and personal river equipment.

Cost: $450 – Price drops to $400 with 10 or more guests.
Logistics: Meeting in Maupin, OR Friday July 3 at 10 am. We’ll arrive back in Maupin on Sunday July 5 in the late afternoon.

Some Photos from our Lower Deschutes Trip in September 2008.

Seven of us braved the ugly forecast of rain and thunderstorms and the risk paid off. We wanted to get out of town, just enjoy a multiday trip up at Timothy Lake. It’s an easy drive from Portland, Oregon, and one can have a quick peaceful time up there.

Kayaking Oregon needn’t involve long drives. It’s only an hour and forty-five minutes from Portland. Yet, during the shoulder season Timothy Lake can seem much further away. This weekend the campgrounds weren’t full and at Gone Creek campground, where we camped, there were no RVs this weekend. Timothy lake sits at 3,200 ft elevation. The north side of the lake has lots of primitive campsites. This weekend, the water seemed unusually warm!

All of us arrived Friday. I got there about 3:30 p.m. and after setting up my stuff went for a paddle. Since I’m taking an instructor development workshop this coming weekend I wanted to do some skills practice. I set out rolling, edging and bracing. I couldn’t believe how warm the water was. And, it was nice weather!

It wasn’t long before I saw cars arriving at the campsite, so I beached the boat. Liz and Michelle had just arrived, and I helped them get arranged. I encouraged them to come out boating. We went almost across the lake and saw a rain shower, so we turned back. We got caught in a major downpour. I was OK since I wore my drysuit, but the ladies weren’t so lucky. But there were no complaints. A fun time was had.

The rain passed, and we began dinner preparation. We had canopies over our picnic tables. Tonight’s meal was everyone for themselves, whereas others were prepared in teams. As darkness fell, we gathered around the table for merriment.

Saturday morning was dry, though cloudy. Breakfast burritos filled our bellies, and then it was suit up and paddle the lake. Our route called for crossing the lake, then snaking along the north shore past Meditatation Point and up into the inlet on the northeast side of the lake, where there is a wetland. Kayak camping can be done on many sites along the north side of the lake. We might return for a quieter experience later in the summer taking advantage of the primitive sites. The sun broke through the clouds, and we stopped for lunch. Jessie was practicing turning her boat with edging and bracing and went a bit too far – she rolled over. But she held her own, finding the setup position and rolling back up!

In the inlet, we saw a number of blue herons. But the most interesting wildlife were the ospreys, which not only dove for fish but skimmed the water, something I’d never seen before.

We ended the day back at the camp with a Thai stir fry meal. Well deserved, and we pitied those who chose to stay in Portland because we had very nice weather! The fire was warm, marshmallows were roasted, and stories were told. We can’t wait for the next kayak camping trip!

Sam took this great photo of me surfing on the Deschutes River.  I really love freestyle kayaking, especially on the big waves of the Deschutes, and I’m looking forward to our kayaking and rafting trips coming up in June, July and August.  Big waves, warm sun and good food- that’s what Deschutes River trips are to me.   Check out our website for more info. -Dave

Dave Hoffman kayak surfing on the Deschutes River.

This photos is from our customized private Deschutes River Trip with B&G Construction in Sept. 2008.  Paddling rafts, IKs and kayaks we had an amazing 2 days traveling down the Deschutes River.  We have special deals for businesses and large groups, and can customize the date, location, length and menu to any requirements.  To have a great experience on the Deschutes River Rafting and Kayaking, call Northwest River Guides at 503.772.1122.