Oregon Ocean Paddling Society upcoming events

Cross the Columbia and up the Klickitat - L2 - T2691 (November 08, 2026)

Sun, 08 Nov 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Full Name:: Steve Blackwood
Narrative:: We will put in at Myers State Park boat ramp, which has a bathroom. There is a small cove that provides an easy launch where we can enter the Columbia River. We then will cross the Columbia over to Lyle WA and find the mouth of the Klickitat River. We can paddle up the Klickitat until the water gets to shallow or too fast for us to continue. Then we will return to the Columbia and follow the Washington shoreline to Doug's Beach Park for lunch. Then we will work our way down the Columbia back to our put in.

This stretch of the Columbia can be windy, If the conditions become too big for a level 2 on that day, we will find another section to paddle. So, if you sign up be ready to move to another put in. This is an interesting section of the gorge and very scenic. The paddle will be about 9 miles. Emersion wear is required and you need to have proper underlayment to keep warm.

When you get off the freeway follow the road tuning south all the way to the boat ramp. https://maps.app.goo.gl/57tcEz39JDgN89st8

Meeting Time:: 9:00:00 AM
Launch Time:: 9:30:00 AM
Type of activity:: Paddle Trip
Put in:: Mayer State Park https://maps.app.goo.gl/57tcEz39JDgN89st8
Take out:: Mayer State Park https://maps.app.goo.gl/57tcEz39JDgN89st8
Route Alternative for bad weather:: TBD
Required equipment::
Minimum Immersion protection:: Drysuit
Primary Organizer:: Steve Blackwood
Co-Organizer(s):: Brenda Brewer
Has organizer paddled here before?: Yes
Has organizer led an OOPS paddle here before?: No
Organizer's first aid and CPR current?: Yes
First Aid /CPR Person::
Maximum number of paddlers:: 8
I certify that I understand and will conduct this activity in accordance with the OOPS Activity Policy:: Yes
Estimated Air Temperature:: 50f
Estimated Water Temperature:: 55f
Estimated Water Time (including breaks/lunch):: 5 hrs
Tide times & heights:: NA
Current information:: 1kt
Hazards:: Shipping traffic
Wind strength:: Level 2: 7-12 knots (14 mph) – wind noticeably effects movement of paddle
Waves, Swell, Breaking Waves: Level 2: Waves up to 2', no breaking waves
Sea state:: Level 2: Waves up to armpit; light to moderate chop, scattered whitecaps
Landing types:: Level 2: Frequent landing opportunities including docks or moderate sloping banks, brush or overhanging trees
Currents:: Level 2: Mild currents (up to 2 knots): current increases / decreases group speed by half
Total distance:: Level 2: 6 to 11 miles
Open crossing:: Level 2: Between 0.5 and 1 miles
Paddling Environment::
Overall rating:: Level 2
Rating Comments:: Wind is possible
Location::https://maps.app.goo.gl/57tcEz39JDgN89st8
Photos (Optional)::
COVID-19 Status of Trip:: Participants of this trip may, or may not, be vaccinated for Covid-19
Tide Station:: NA
Link to map of route (Optional):
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Put in::
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A special McMinnville pool session - rescuing folks in boats with no bulkheads. - L1 - T2692 (November 14, 2026)

Sat, 14 Nov 2026 16:30:00 GMT

Full Name:: Brenda Brewer
Narrative:: A special McMinnville pool session - rescuing folks in boats with no bulkheads.
We have new paddlers in OOPS, some of whom have boats like Traks and Orus. We also have highly experienced paddlers with beautiful skin-on-frame boats. What these boats all have in common is a lack of bulkheads or hatches. They may have floatation bags, but when they capsize, they fill with a lot of water. How can we safely rescue someone with one of these boats? Come find out on Sat 11/14 at the McMinnville pool!

The McMinnville Aquatic Center is just an hour South of Portland. Don Beale and Steve Carrigg will bring their skin-on-frames, and will teach us how to safely empty a very full and very heavy boat. The pool is available to kayakers from 8:30 - 10 am. If we finish our skills session early, we can play with other stuff.

We need to keep this a small group, as this is the smaller McMinnville pool. We don't want to overwhelm their staff or wear out our welcome, so let's have our TO's sign up first please. Of course, if you have a Trak, ORU, or skin on frame boat, you're welcome to sign up and bring your boat. Please wear your helmet, spray skirt, PFD, and if you get chilled easily, you might want some sort of immersion wear like a Farmer John's or a shortie wetsuit. There are showers and changing rooms; you might want to bring a towel and a set of dry clothes. You might want to bring something to drink, as this can be thirsty work. And like always, we will help each other with our boats.

Cost: $6.00 admission at the McMinnville Pool. Pay at the desk (OOPS is not charging for this).

This is our first group session at the McMinnville Pool - if it goes well, we can do others. If you have skills sessions you'd like to do there, kindly let one of the organizers know..

Meeting Time:: 8:30:00 AM
Launch Time:: 8:45:00 AM
Type of activity:: Paddle Trip
Put in:: McMinnville Aquatic Center. 138 NW Park Drive. McMinnville, OR 97128
Take out:: McMinnville Aquatic Center. 138 NW Park Drive. McMinnville, OR 97128
Route Alternative for bad weather:: N/A
Required equipment:: Helmet
Minimum Immersion protection:: None
Primary Organizer:: Brenda Brewer
Co-Organizer(s):: Steve Blackwood, Don Beale, Steve Carrigg
Has organizer paddled here before?: Yes
Has organizer led an OOPS paddle here before?: No
Organizer's first aid and CPR current?: Yes
First Aid /CPR Person::
Maximum number of paddlers:: 9 (4 organizers, 5 paddlers)
I certify that I understand and will conduct this activity in accordance with the OOPS Activity Policy:: Yes
Estimated Air Temperature:: 65
Estimated Water Temperature:: About 80
Estimated Water Time (including breaks/lunch):: 1.5 hours
Tide times & heights:: N/A
Current information:: N/A
Hazards::
Wind strength:: Level 1: 0-7 knots (8 mph)
Waves, Swell, Breaking Waves: Level 1: Under 1' waves, no breaking waves
Sea state:: Level 1: Waves up to the deck seam; water glassy to rippled, no whitecaps
Landing types:: Level 1: Frequent easy landing opportunities including gently sloping, sand, gravel or grass
Currents:: Level 1: None or mild (less than 1 knot)
Total distance:: Level 1: Up to 6 miles
Open crossing:: Level 1: Less than 0.5 miles
Paddling Environment::
Overall rating:: Level 1
Rating Comments:: Spray skirt still required, as are helmets and pfd's.
Location:: McMinnville Aquatic Center. 138 NW Park Drive. McMinnville, OR 97128
Photos (Optional)::
COVID-19 Status of Trip:: Participants of this trip may, or may not, be vaccinated for Covid-19
Tide Station:: N/A
Link to map of route (Optional):
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Put in::
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Oregon City Pool Time P2701 (January 09, 2027)

Sat, 09 Jan 2027 23:00:00 GMT

REGISTRATION OPENS 2 WEEKS BEFORE SESSON. Announcement will go out at that time.

Bring your boat, you Helmet, and your safety gear for Pool Practice at Oregon City Pool. . This is your chance to practice all the things that you are unwilling to risk in the open cold water.

There is an $15.00 fee for this event. This fee is non-refundable. If you have to join a Waitlist this does not require a registration fee. Payment required when a person gets a place at this event.

YOU MUST HAVE A SIGNED ELECTRONIC WAIVER ON FILE TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS SESSION !! (if you don't, contact membership@oopskayak.org)

Admission To This Event is First Come First Serve.

There are 2 sessions as designated by the ticket types. You can get a ticket for either session but not for both (the website will only allow you one ticket). Each session is 1 hour.

HELMETS VERY STRONGLY RECOMMENDED.
This is a small area with hard sides and lots of moving paddles. If you have a helmet please bring and wear. Pretty much any helmet will be better than a bare head. Bike Helmet? Climbing Helmet? If you have an extra helmet, you might bring that as well.

BRING A CLEAN BOAT !!

Location:

Oregon City Swimming Pool, 1211 Jackson St, Oregon City, OR 97045

Please adhere to the following guidelines:

There’s a large fenced concrete pad area for staging boats just outside the pool on 12th Street. Do not bring you boat inside the pool facility until the organizer clears entry with pool personnel. Please move your car after you unload your boat to make room for others. There’s adequate parking just down the street.

Please arrive with a clean boat. There is a hose inside the facility to wash the chlorine off your gear before leaving.

Lockers that can be secured with a lock are available. Bring your own lock or rent one for $1. People usually stow their belongings in their gear bag pool side but it’s up to you. The facility also has a changing area and showers.

Helmets are strongly encouraged, especially if you are planning to roll. The pool has a shallow and deep end. A snorkel mask will help prevent chlorine from getting into your nose and eyes.

A limited amount of registrants (2) can arrange for Experienced Assistance during the pool session (e.g. A rolling spotter in the shallow end). This must be signed off by the Trips Director or Safety Director before the event. Members Assisting others others do not have to pay but are not allowed to bring boats. This would set the Total maximum capacity: 12 members = 9 participants + 1 TO. + 2 "Helper/Instructors". 10 boats + 2 extra people

For the 3:00 Session, arrive at 2:45.
For the 4:00 Session, arrive at 3:45.

We are required to have our boats out of the facility by the end of the session. Plan to start removing boats 5 minutes before the end of the hour. Boats can be placed on the fenced concrete staging area just outside the pool. Participants are allowed to reenter the facility to utilize the showers and changing areas after the boats are staged outside.

All participants are be required to have signed the standard OOPS online Waiver. If you haven't signed the online waiver, contact Membership@oopskayak.org for help in getting this done.

Please plan on assisting others load their boats onto their cars after the event.

Contact the Trips Director if you have any questions. (trips@oopskayak.org)

If you wish to get your Wet Exit Certification, please contact the Safety Director. (safety@oopkayak.org)

This trip is limited to members. To successfully register you will need to sign into your OOPS member account

Oregon City Pool Time P2702 (January 23, 2027)

Sat, 23 Jan 2027 23:00:00 GMT