September 2025
Volume 26, Number 6
September, 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 was taken by Sherry Ripley on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River at the end of June. Do you recognize anyone in these photos? This group included a few notable OWA VIP's, one is seen here on his cataraft enjoying a sunny day on the Middle Fork of the Salmon.
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
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
Next OWA Meeting
Event: September Club Meeting & Gear Swap
Location: Willamette Park, West Linn OR
Date: Wednesday, September 10th, 2025
Time: 6:00 p.m. - 8:15 p.m.
Topic: Social Evening Get Together and Gear Swap with Fellow OWA Members - Gift Card Door Prize - Pizza and Refreshments Served
Meeting Details: Hey OWA club members, rain or shine, we'll be kicking off the September Club Meeting this month at an outdoors location at Willamette Park in West Linn. The meeting area will be at the Willamette Main Shelter near the corner of 12th St and Volpp in West Linn. This will also be a used Gear Swap, so bring your used boating and camping gear that you no longer use. Buy, sell or trade your used boating gear with or donate your used gear to other club members. You can also just come out and browse through the items being offered from other club members. There will be no formal speaker for this social gathering. Bring your own camp chair if you'd like and join the end of summer with fellow club members. There will be Flying Pie Pizza and refreshments such as bottled water and soda provided by the club. Note: West Linn Parks do not allow alcohol. So please use good judgement when bringing your own refreshments.
Speaker: No Speaker for this Event!
Business: Up-coming River Trips and Events
Wilderness First Aid Training
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 $75 gift certificate to one of our sponsors. Club members who give a presentation will also be entered into a prize drawing. To discuss a potential speaker, email .
Trip Reports
Special Features
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 .
Knot 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 .
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.