Sam Drevo running slalom gates and imparting wisdom on the Bull Run in Oregon
Check out this video the Mt. Hood Territory just produced about kayaking with Sam Drevo:) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJCMUZVL_x8
Trying something risky takes courage, but if you’re convinced that it’s right for you, the risk can pay off with adventure. This week, I’ll take you on an adventurous Grant’s Getaway into dangerous waters on a river that’s just off Portland’s doorstep.
When folks ask me about rafting or kayaking options close to home, I never hesitate to recommend a look at the Upper Clackamas River. It’s but sixty minutes from Portland, so it’s an easy day trip and scores of campsites can be found in this part of the Mt Hood National Forest near Estacada.
Recently, I joined a hearty group of water-lovers who gathered along the river to celebrate their passion for adventure on one of the most exciting stretches of whitewater rivers in Oregon.
Read more about this week’s adventure here.
<object width=”400″ height=”225″><param name=”allowfullscreen” value=”true” /><param name=”allowscriptaccess” value=”always” /><param name=”movie” value=”http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=10989504&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=1&color=d4d3bc&fullscreen=1″ /><embed src=”http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=10989504&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=1&color=d4d3bc&fullscreen=1″ type=”application/x-shockwave-flash” allowfullscreen=”true” allowscriptaccess=”always” width=”400″ height=”225″></embed></object><p><a href=”http://vimeo.com/10989504″>Grant’s Getaways – Whitewater Rafting</a> from <a href=”http://vimeo.com/user1348465″>Travel Oregon</a> on <a href=”http://vimeo.com”>Vimeo</a>.</p>
with Grant Mcomie!!! Rafting the Clackamas
It will also air on NW Cable News (Ch 49 in Portland) all day on Sat beginning @11am – it hits about 20 after the top of the hour and will be seen in Boise, Spokane and Seattle.
A longer version of the story will be posted to the Travel Oregon website on Friday at noon as well.
If you wish, feel free to either link or embed our story on your own site.
Finally, if you are so inclined, feel free to drop a line and encourage friends to do the same and let us know how we’re doing – (feedback keeps us on our game, you know) — esp the mgmt folks at Travel Oregon and KGW.
Finally, my thanks to you for all of your warm hospitality and coversations during our visit.
The joy of traveling across Oregon is that I always learn something new – in this case, that folks who enjoy whitewater rafting and kayaking do so for many different reasons and own generous spirits as big as all outdoors.
Thanks again for all of your efforts – the story turned out well and I appreciate all of your energy to make that happen.
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
Kayak Night at Next Adventure, Wednesday, April 15, SE Stark and Grand
7:15 Adventures in the Pacific Northwest
Hear great stories about whitewater adventures and multiday trips in some of the most remote areas of the Pacific Northwest. Big waterfalls, remote canyons and the beautiful places captured by Sam’s photography will be the highlight of this presentation. Learn several of the important lessons Sam’s received on these unique trips.
We’ll then split up for two presentations, one for beginning paddlers and one for experienced paddlers.
7:40 All About Your Throw Rope w/ NRG Instructor Dave Hoffman
A throw ropes is the most basic tool of swiftwater rescue and a safety essential for every whitewater paddler. Learn about the common usages, simple ways rescue your friends. We’ll also discuss what length, material and type of throw bag is best for each types of whitewater enthusiasts.
7:40 Boat Buying 101 w/ Luke Spencer
For those looking to buy your first kayak we’re holding a first time kayak buyers clinic. We’ll go over the basics of the different styles and uses of kayaks, from whitewater to recreational to multi-day sea-kayaks. You’ll also receive a 10% off coupon for the next boat you purchase!
Sam Drevo busting a quick eddy turn- curtousy of Mark Gamba Photography
Here is the beta on the Oregon Whitewater Association film night January 13th hosted by Sam Drevo and Northwest River Guides.
“High Water In Africa” – It is PG13. This 55 minute video chronicles the rise of one of the most prolific whitewater kayakers today- Steve Fisher and several friends on a quest to run the biggest whitewater in Africa, and Quebec CA. The story interweaves whitewater, Steve’s philosophies, a bit of his life story and close friendship with one of the sports most controversial figures- Dan Cambell. This video was produced by GearboxHD, a local production company, and filmed/edited by Barney Bonito – one of Northwest River Guides instructors (as well as PDX local Craig Ernst). We will open the evening by showing a short 2008 Down the River Cleanup video, a video from the Nelscott Reef Big Wave Contest in Lincoln City OR, and a short film about an Adventure in Paupa New Guinea produced by Epicocity documenting several NRG Kayaking friends and OR Locals- Andy Maser, Brian Eustis, Trip Jennings and Kyle Dickman. This will be an action-packed hour and a half. The OWA usually supplies some free pizza, and there will be an opportunity to sign up for this springs OWA SW Rescue workshop powered by Northwest River Guides. Hope to see you there! Pass this along to anyone you think might be interested. Happy New Year!!!
Location: Portland Fire Bureau’s Training Center, 4800 NE 122nd Ave., Portland, OR. 7pm
This year has been an incredible one for accolades. The Portland Tribune sustainable life Magazine identified and awarded about 10 individuals to honor leadership and excellence in sustainability in the Portland community. It was part of the Go Green Initiative that the city of Portland’s mayor Sam Adams has been advocating over the last year. The ceremony was at the Gerding Theater in the Pearl, and I have to admit it was pretty cool to be included in this exclusive group. It is cool to represent the paddling community with this initiative- b/c it really has had a pretty amazing impact. 31,000 lbs of trash pulled out of the river in 5 – one day efforts… a recycling, composting, community event in all ways… The Down the River Cleanup Art show put on by Riley was a huge success! Our college tour the previous fall was also a huge success, had many “green” elements. All these initiatives played into the committees decision to bestow the award to eNRG kayaking.
This video is a Gearbox HD video production. It is a short promo that we shot for a proposed video series. There are some cool shots and a little bit of talent from Sam Drevo.
Check out these pictures from our source to mouth Sandy River descent this spring. As part of a tribute to the newly free flowing Sandy River, Sam Drevo Chris Emerick, and Ross Henry decided to run the entire River from the very top to the confluence with the Columbia River. The trip took 3 full days and was about 45 miles. We paddled the Sandy River from the very top (when it was barely a creek), starting about a mile above McNeil Campground paddling down past the Zig Zag River confluence, past the Salmon River confluence, we ran Alder Creek Rapid which had a huge breaking wave, and down through the Marmot Dam site, the Sandy River Gorge, past Revenue bridge, Dodge Park, down to Oxbow park, past Dabney, and Lewis and Clark State Park ending in the Columbia River taking out at Chinook Landing. We shot video the whole way down and intend to produce a video documenting the descent and telling the story of the ever changing Sandy River.
One of my annual guide training journeys takes me to Yellowstone park and Jackson Hole WY. This year was a special year because right before I taught the Instructor Certification course at Rendezvous River Sports, I asked my girlfriend to marry me on top of snow king ski resort in downtown Jackson, and miraculously- she said yes! So anyway, the course was great, and afterward I grabbed some Legacy Paddlesport Kayak fishing kayaks and did a photo shoot on the Snake River in the Tetons.
