Learning to Eskimo roll is an important part of whitewater kayaking. you may have heard that it is difficult or complicated but that is not the case when taught properly. Northwest River Guides teaches the foundations of the roll first, then progresses onward as you learn! Most students learn to roll in 1-2 lessons. After that it is on to learn to roll on your offside, back deck and hand roll. We also teach more advanced techniques such as sculling, draws and paddle dexterity drills during the class.

Call 503-772-1122 to enroll!

Where: USA Athletics, 8333 NE Russell St, Portland

When: 8:00 – 9:30 p.m.

Equipment: We provide the paddling equipment if necessary. But you should bring swim goggles and a nose plug!

Got those pool classes in? Now it’s time to bring your skills outside. You’re gonna put yourself in the elements – and that’s where you belong. Learn the skills you’ll need to start using the river’s parts - eddies, rivulets, pour overs, standing waves – to your advantage, and more. We’ll show you peel outs, eddy turns, ferries, how to catch a wave, and maybe a river roll!

As a Northwest River Guides student, you’ll learn fundamental skills like peel outs, eddy turns and ferries. Using these skills allows kayakers to be the most maneuverable craft on the river, avoiding rocks and other obstacles and heading where you intend. You’ll learn about river hazards & obstacles, self rescue, river scouting, etc. We’ll teach you on class 1-2 rapids, which should help build your confidence. These are the green circles of kayaking. You’ll need to have had a pool class or NRG’s introductory class to qualify for this lesson.

Date: November 14th

Time: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Equipment provided. Call 503-772-1122 to reserve your place!

This is our first ‘baby steps’ class introducing the new student to kayaking! We teach this class in a pool because they’re warm and mistake friendly. Be prepared to get wet! You’ll learn kayak nomenclature, stretches, how to adjust your outfitting to suit your body, and then we’ll hit the pool.

You’ll learn how to wet exit, brace and Eskimo rescue, all prerequisites to learning your roll. We’ll cover basic paddle strokes. We keep the student/instructor ratio to 4:1 so everyone gets maximum attention.

Date: 11/4

Time: 8 – 9:30 p.m.

Location: USA Athletics, 8333 NE Russell St., Portland, OR

Call 503-772-1122 to sign up for this class!

Check out the local big guns paddling the rivers of the NW! It’s too late to submit more films to the oh-so-qualified judges. But you can still voice your opinion when the movies show on the silver screen! There’ll be beer, snacks, and a raffle. Rumor has it the prize is a Bliss Stick kayak! You can’t argue with that, so head on over to the Mt. Tabor Legacy Theater for a rockin’ good show! More details at pdxkayaker.

When: October 16th, 8:00 p.m.

Where: Mt. Tabor Legacy Theater 4811 SE Hawthorne

Northwest River Guides, along with environmental stewardship organizations around the globe, will participate in 350.org’s International Day of Climate Action! There are numerous events planned, but as a paddler we highly encourage YOU to join us in the “River of Action.”

River of Action is a PLANETARY event! Paddlers from all regions and both hemishperes are taking to the water to form the number 350. What’s so significant about that number? Scientists have proven that planet earth can with stand an atmospheric concentration of no more than 350 parts per million of carbon without catastrophic climate change! BAD NEWS – the earth is currently already at 390 parts per million! 350.org is an international organization dedicated to raising awareness of the immediacy of the climate crisis! Climate crisis is already here! So be there by the Hawthorne Bridge at 11:00 October 24th! The River of Action event runs until 1:00! Then, participants head to Pioneer Courthouse Square for more of the day’s activities!

This Sunday is your last chance in 2009 to participate in the Portland Oregon’s best combo package: Beginner kayak lessons with Northwest River Guides AND the oppty to try a kayak from Next Adventure!

We’ve been doing it all summer. People from all over are taking advantage of this famous deal! If you have not heard of it yet – here is the scoop: Reserve a kayak and get a lesson! That’s it. You call us and reserve a boat that fits, show up at Sellwood Riverfront Park at 9:00 a.m. Sunday.  You’ll try out a kayak first-hand AND get professional instruction so that you can head out on your own!

Here’s what you’ll learn: You’ll learn about the parts of the kayak like deck, hull and cockpit. By the end you’ll know how to enter your boat and set up the cockpit comfortably. You’ll also learn how to hold and use the paddle! There’ll be instruction on safety too.

Then you’ll head out on the Willamette River to Ross Island, one of Portland, Oregon’s best kept secrets. There, you’ll see ospreys, blue herons, kingfishers, and probably a pair of nesting bald eagles!

When done you’ll also receive goodies like 10% discounts on Next Adventure merchandise!

To reserve your spot call 503-722-1122, visit Next Adventure at 426 SE Grand Avenue, or use their online reservation sytem at http://shop.nextadventure.net/ross-island-kayak-tour.html

If you’re in town Sunday September 6th, why not bookend your summer with a beginner kayak lesson with Northwest River Guides, while trying out a kayak from Next Adventure! We’ve been teaching to packed classes Sundays all summer at Sellwood Park in Portland, Oregon! This opporunity gives you it all – the chance to try a kayak from Next Adventure for yourself, an introductory kayak lesson, and a guided tour of the Willamette River from Sellwood Park to Ross Island!

You’ll get all the instruction you need to begin exploring kayaking on your own. We’ll show you the cockpit, the terms, the seat, the foot pegs, and the adjustments. Then we’ll teach you proper paddling technique. And then, it’s off to the river to practice and even more tips. You’ll see the interesting floating homes, plus birds on Ross Island like blue herons, ospreys, kingfishers, and if you’re lucky a nesting pair of our national symbol, the bald eagle.

But you can’t just show up. You need to register at 503-722-1122, or stop by the Kayaks Department at Next Adventure, or use their online registration system.

This Sunday August 9 take advantage of one of Portland Oregon’s best values! Take a beginner kayak lesson with Northwest River Guides and demo a kayak with Next Adventure!

That’s right. Sundays in Portland, Oregon, you can kayak the Willamette River from Sellwood Park to Ross Island, try out a Next Adventure kayak and even get an introductory kayak lesson! Starting at 9:00 a.m. you’ll meet up with NRG’s instructors and Next Adventure’s staff. There, you’ll get your Next Adventure Boat and begin your beginner kayak lesson! Together, we’ll introduce you to the parts of a kayak, proper stroke technique, entering/exiting a kayak, how to hold and use a paddle, safety, and more!

Then, it’s on to the Willamette River. We’ll launch and guide you to one of Portland, Oregon’s best Willamette River kayaking destinations. You’ll discover ospreys, blue herons, bald eagles, and maybe a nutria or beaver at Ross Island. You’ll also appreciate the giving back of Ross Island to the City by Ross Island Sand & Gravel works.

When the event comes to a close you’ll even be eligible for discounts on gear at Next Adventure. Such a deal!

To take part in this incredible program, call our office at 503-772-1122, visit Next Adventure at 426 SE Grand, or register via Next Adventure’s convenient online registration system!

See you out there!

Northwest River Guides is teaching beginning whitewater kayaking river classes this weekend! This Saturday and Sunday NRG is holding classes on the lower Clackamas River near Portland, OR. These four-hour classes will teach the basics of safety, reading water, entering and exiting rapids, and more. We will go over on-the-water warm ups and stretching, bracing, peel outs, eddy turns, ferries, braces, t-rescues and rolling!

NRG instructors will be there to guide your every move. These lessons are offered Saturdays 9:00-1:00 and Sundays 2:00 – 6:00.  All equipment provided.

Contact Northwest River Guides at 503-772-1122 to register. No equipment necessary, but we’ll need to know your size so we can provide the correct fitting equipment!

Northwest River Guides offers four-hour beginning whitewater kayaking river classes each Saturday and Sunday during the summer! Learn on-the-water warm ups and stretching, bracing, peel outs, eddy turns, ferries, braces, t-rescues and rolling! This is the time of the year to start learning, when the air’s hot and the water’s beautifully cool!

Learn  in a confidence-inspiring setting on an easy stretch of the Clackamas River near Portland, Oregon. Our instructors will be there to guide your every move and to rescue you in case of mishap. Classes are offered Saturdays 9:00-1:00 and Sundays 2:00 – 6:00.  All equipment provided.

Contact Northwest River Guides at 503-772-1122 to register. No equipment necessary, but we’ll need to know your size so we can provide properly fitting equipment!

See you out there!