April 2025

Volume #26, Number #3

April, 2025

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 is that of club member and OWA Tech Director, Jason Urasky, sliding his boat down to the main road on the way to the club President's Day Rogue Trip. The best way for the kids to enjoy winter boating without a dry suit.

If you want to have your favorite river picture featured, send it to vicepresident-newsletter(at)oregonwhitewater.org. You can also submit pictures through Instagram or the OWA Facebook group.

Contact Information

Your OWA Officers and Volunteers

OWA Board of Directors

Brenda Bunce, President

Meredith Brezinski, Vice President - Events

Karl Mitsch, Vice President - Newsletter

Justin Richard, Secretary

Doug Smith, Treasurer

Tom Riggs, Membership Director

Jason Urasky, Technology Director

William Brezinski, Training Director

OWA Volunteers

Scott Harvey, Trip Coordinator, Newsletter Editor

Cary Solberg, Advertising Editor

Scott Ogren, Webmaster

Steve Oslund, First Aid Kits

Bruce Ripley, Safety Auction Lead

Matt Saucy, Boating 101 Lead

Jared Linkhart, Safety Training Associate

President's Corner

Presidents Corner

As the seasons change and the rivers flow, our commitment to river safety remains unwavering. I’m thrilled to share my…

Next OWA Meeting

Event: April Club Meeting

Location: Flying Pie Pizza - 7804 SE Stark St, Portland, OR 97215

Website: http://www.flying-pie.com/locations/portland

Date: Wednesday, April 9th, 2025

Time: 6:00 p.m. - 8:15 p.m.

Schedule:

6:00 – 6:30 Social Time with Pizza
6:30 - 7:15 Club Business
7:15 - 8:15 Presentation
8:15 - 8:30 Clean-up

Topic: Life Flight Network Services

Speaker: Polli Buzzini, Community Outreach Coordinator, Life Flight Network

Description: Discuss the aspects of Life Flights, air and ground medical transport services. Along with membership policies and costs (http://www.lifeflight.org). Come on down, enjoy pizza, salad and refreshments with fellow boaters.

Speaker Bio: Polli Buzzini has worked with Life Flight Network since 1986

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 VicePresident-Events(at)oregonwhitewater.org.

Trip Reports

Trip Report: 2025 President's Day Rogue Trip

Feb 15, 2025 – Feb 17, 2025 Almeda to Foster Bar

Special Features

Safety Moment - Trailers

Reminder to do trailer maintenance before the season begins

American Whitewater - Protect America’s Outdoor Heritage

The American system for preserving public lands and supporting its citizens' access to them has been the envy of the…

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 firstaid(at)oregonwhitewater.org.

Recipe of the Month

ROTM: Irish Soda Bread

Every year around St. Patrick's Day Jerry Malloy makes Irish Soda bread using a family recipe passed down from his…

Knot of the Month

KOTM: Figure 8 on the Bight

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 a $150 gift certificate to one of our sponsors. To submit newsletter content or photos for our social media accounts, email VicePresident-Newsletter(at)oregonwhitewater.org.

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.

2025 March Pool Session Boat Flipping Practice