Clean Lines Paddlesports

Submitted by Seth Harriff

 

Last May, while I was sorting gear for a June trip down the Middle Fork and making a list of items I “needed,” I heard that Next Adventure was closing. With the closure of Andy and Bax in 2023, that left Portland with very few local options for outfitting multi‑day river trips. I watched through the summer to see what might replace them, and when nothing materialized, I decided last fall to try to help fill that gap myself. That idea became Clean Lines Paddlesports, which you may have noticed as a new advertiser on the OWA website and in the newsletter.
 

The shop’s focus is intentionally narrow: big rubber boats and the gear needed for taking them on multi‑day river trips. While there’s some overlap with other excellent local stores, Alder Creek Kayak and Clackamas River Outfitters primarily serve hardshell kayakers’ whitewater needs, though Alder Creek has been expanding its rafting selection as well. There’s room for all of us on the river—and room for all of these shops to help keep us on the water. The Clean Lines motto is “We’re here to ensure the gear you bring on your next river adventure turns that trip into a story you love to tell.” That’s more than marketing language. The goal is simple: to make sure Portland paddlers have local access to quality gear for those adventures, keeping you safe and smiling, whether a first-time launch from Lee’s Ferry or this year’s OWA float from Minam to Boggan’s. With that focus in mind, here’s the gear I plan to stock:

Boats
• New boats from Hyside and Rio Craft
• Used boats from SOTAR, Maravia, Aire, and Wing

Frames
• Modular/component frames from Better Mounts, NRS, and Revolver

Paddles & Oars
• Sawyer oars
• Paddles from NRS and Sawyer

Boat Rigging
• Canyon coolers
• Dry boxes
• Mesh bags
• Straps

Safety Equipment
• PFDs from Stohlquist, Astral, and NRS
• Helmets from NRS and Sweet Protection
• Throw ropes and rescue ladders

• River maps

Camp Gear
• Tables, groovers, hand wash stations
• Dry bags and sleeping pads

Paddle Clothing & Footwear
• Splash gear from Immersion Research and Level 6
• Dry suits
• Bedrock Sandals
 

Much of this gear is already available online from suppliers or out of state retailers, but oversized shipping can add 10–20% to the cost, and items like PFDs and drysuits really benefit from in‑person fitting, so having local access is both cost effective and important. I’m not trying to compete with large online retailers, so Clean Lines does not ship purchases. While our shop’s physical space is small, most orders can be placed online with in‑person “will call” pickup or local delivery around the Portland area.

The shop is open online for sales now (with scheduled pickup and delivery options), and will open for regular in-person shopping in May, at our location in downtown Portland. 

 

OWA leaders and members have been incredibly supportive at every stage of this project, and I’d like to return that support. In preparation for your summer trips, OWA members are invited to join some remaining early‑season orders at a substantial discount. If you’re looking for oars, coolers, sleeping pads, or a new groover, visit preseason.cleanlinespdx.com and use code OWA2026PRE at checkout for 25% off these items until April 15. Once your order is placed, we’ll confirm OWA membership, share the expected arrival timeline, and coordinate pickup or delivery once the gear arrives.