December 2021
Volume 22, Number 10
December, 2021
The Oregon Whitewater Association brings private boaters together for the enjoyment of whitewater boating. Our vision is to promote whitewater safety and training for all of our membership in an effort to provide safety awareness and confidence when executing river rescue skills. OWA is the community of choice where fun and river adventures thrive and where people and rivers connect.
Photo of the Month
This month's featured photo was taken by Stacy Strausberg of Kimberly Long and Joe Wright on their catarafts during a beautiful November float day on the Deschutes.
If you want to have your favorite river picture featured, send it to . You can also submit pictures through Instagram or the OWA Facebook group.
Contact Information
Your OWA Officers and Volunteers
OWA Board of Directors
Scott Harvey, President
Steve Adams, Vice President - Events
Kimberly Long, Vice President - Newsletter
Steve Kasper, Secretary
Paul Vermilya, Treasurer
Steve Herring, Membership Director
Scott Ogren, Technology Director
Matt Saucy, Training Director
OWA Volunteers
Scott Harvey, Trip Editor
Cary Solberg, Advertising Editor
Scott Ogren, Webmaster
Kimberly Long, Newsletter Editor
Bruce Ripley, Safety Auction Lead
Steve Oslund, First Aid Kit Organizer
President's Corner
Do you know of a speaker for one of our monthly meetings?
Do you know someone engaging, entertaining, and full of knowledge who you would like to hear speak at a club meeting? Any club member who successfully connects OWA with a speaker for one of our meetings will be entered into a prize drawing for a $150 gift certificate to one of our sponsors. To discuss a potential speaker, email
.Trip Reports
Stay safe and healthy on the river and be prepared for emergencies.
Do you have a trip coming up? OWA has two extensive Wilderness First Aid kits and AED’s that go on all club trips and are available for club members to take on private trips. You can check them out by sending an email to
.Recipe of the Month
Do you have something to share with the OWA community through the newsletter?
Do you want to share the tale of your latest multi-day rafting adventure or just the basics of your recent day run? Do you have a recipe your river friends must try? Is there other river-related content you want to share? Any club member who submits written content published in the newsletter will be entered into a prize drawing for 1 of 2 $75 gift certificates to one of our sponsors. Submitting photos gets you a chance to win 1 of 2 $25 gift certificates. To submit newsletter content or photos for our social media accounts, email
.Upcoming OWA Trips and Events
The new website and trip calendar are under construction. Stay tuned. Soon the trip calendar will be mobile device friendly! Until then, you can visit the trip calendar at the soon-to-be-old website.
Oregon Whitewater Association Trip Calendar
Jan 1st, 2022 New Year's Sandy River Float
Jan 12th, OWA Club Meeting (Flying Pie or via Zoom TBD)
Feb 9th, OWA Club Meeting (Flying Pie or via Zoom TBD)
Feb 12th, 2022 Upper Siletz River
Feb 20th, 2022 BoatSmith Whitewater Festival ~ Smith River ~ Gasquet, Calif
March 9th, OWA Pool Session (rescheduled from February due to pool availability), 7:30-9pm @ North Clack Aquatic Park
OWA has a Facebook group exclusively for members. It is a great place to connect with other members to meet up at the river or exchange gear tips. Anyone can follow the OWA Instagram page.
OWA is an affiliate member of American Whitewater. OWA members receive a $10 discount off of individual membership. American Whitewater is a national non-profit 501©(3) river conservation organization with a mission is to protect and restore America’s whitewater rivers and to enhance opportunities to enjoy them safely. Click the Logo to visit the AW website and learn more.
Enjoy these photos submitted by Natalie Bennon of a late summer Upper Klamath trip.