May 1, 2  Bull Run River

This is to announce or remind you of the clinic/camp/get-together we are having at the Bull Run slalom site (near Sandy, Oregon) this coming weekend. We’ll be practicing, videoing, getting some coaching and celebrating on Sat and Sunday beginning around 11 am, Sat.  There are currently about 18 gates and we intend to expand this by adding a few more going down the drop at the end of the permanent course.

The river is class III and its important to have a reliable roll, as there are sharp rocks.  But the course will have lots of beginner moves and all are welcome, especially those paddling plastic boats (creek boats, playboats, old longer boats, whatever you paddle – come on out).  We will try our best to tailor coaching to those of all abilities.

Be sure to check the gauge, because there is a real possibility that we will have to cancel this, snow pack is low this year.   See: http://www.wkcc.org/levels/?P=Oregon.html If the Bull Run at Bull Run is at 500 cfs or above, the clinic will be on. If its lower than 500 cfs its cancelled and we won’t be there. The river goes up and down quickly so check before you come.  At levels above 1700 cfs eddies tend to disappear and it gets pushy, but we don’t expect this.

Your contact person is David Johnson johnsoda7@hotmail.com (note that the original OKCC message had this email address wrong). 503 977 3998

Come On Out!! Kayak with us!!! On the Willamette River-Sellwood River Side Park.  Northwest River Guides and Sam Drevo are partnering with Andy Maser and Epicocity to take action on the water. Forming a floating 350, images will be captured just north of the Sellwood Bridge.  We will be speaking out for the Holgate Channel and celebrating paddle sports!  We have 20 whitewater boats, 12 rec and sea kayaks, and a few IK.  Bring your own boat, and tell your friends… this is a great, free opportunity to paddle around with the pros.  Paddle boards encouraged.  At Sellwood Park 6:30 on the water by 7pm… Images to be captured between 7:15-7:30pm!!! Come one come all!!! Come Kayak with us!!!!!  This probably isn’t for anyone under 10.  If you have specific questions call John Whipple at 419.601.1405

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!

Northwest River Guides runs rafting trips on rivers close to Portland, OR.  Our trips include:

• Sandy River and the Sandy Gorge
• North Fork of the Santiam
• Klickitat River
• Clackamas River
• Deschutes River

For more information on our rafting trips, check out our website or call 503.772.1122. I hope you come rafting with NRG someday soon! – Dave

Rafting fun on the Deschutes River with NRG Guide Zak Pacholl.

It’s amazing all the wonderful places you can get to in a kayak.  I really enjoy sneaking up on wildlife or exploring some mysterious little cove on the Columbia River.  I often refer to sea kayaking as backpacking on water.  You can bring some food and water with you easily, or even pack for an overnight trip.  And you have no trails to stick to!  Paddle anywhere you like, as fast or as slow as you want.  Sea kayak lessons with Northwest River Guides will open this world up to you.  We’d love to have you on the water with us.  503.772.1122 www.northwestriverguides.com

Another great day on the water with Northwest River Guides

Stand up and River surfing are super fun.  On the river, the wave never dissipates!!!  This is a picture of Carrington barrs paddling into Colorado Wave on the Lower Deschutes River in Oregon.  Carrington and Gabe are awesome surfers with lots of experience in Mexico, and Indo- but I think this was there first time surfing a standing river wave.   This was on the second day of the lower Deschutes river wilderness trip.

Come take whitewater kayaking classes with Northwest River Guides.  NRG provides the best instruction in the Portland, Oregon area with top-notch instructors.  Our kayak lessons are small with lots of one-one time and you will learn faster than anywhere else.  In the spring and winter classes are taught on the Sandy River; in the summer and fall we move to the Clackamas River.  Call 503.772.1122 to make a reservation or if you have any questions.

NRG Students having fun on the Clackamas River.

The Sandy River, just outside of Portland, OR, is a fantastic local river.  In the spring and summer, Northwest River Guides runs super-fun inflatable kayaking trips on the Sandy.  Inflatable kayaking is a great way to get started paddling whitewater.  Come check out the best fun on the river closest to Portland.  Northwest River Guides also runs whitewater rafting trips and beginner kayak lessons on the Sandy River. Call 503.772.1122 to the register.

Whitewater fun on the Sandy River near Portland, OR.

Below are a few photos from a Swiftwater Rescue Workshop that Northwest River Guides conducted for the Oregon Whitewater Association in April of 2008.  This was one of the more enjoyable classes that I taught all spring, bringing together a diverse group of rafters, IKers and kayakers for some fun, safety and learning.  In the workshop Northwest River Guides teaches the fundamentals of rope rescue, mechanical advantage(such as the z-drag), whitewater swimming skills and basic rescue organization.  Northwest River Guides teaches on minimalist approach to swiftwater rescue, focusing on techniques and strategies that are ideal for recreational kayakers, canoeists and rafters.  We will be teaching several swfitwater rescue workshops in the spring of 2008, including a class in the Portland area during April 25-26.  Sign up now to reserve your spot in one Northwest River Guides’ most popular courses.  Call 503.777.1122 to register.