L1 Paddle - Willamette Park to Elk Rock RT

This trip is limited to members with a wet exit certification (except for level 1 trips when the paddler is not using a spray skirt.  To successfully register, you will need to sign into your OOPS member account, and your account will need to be a member of the "Wet Exit Certified" group, if you intend to wear a spray skirt.  Your acceptance is conditional on approval by the Organizer, who may contact you with questions about your skills and equipment.  If the measured water temperature is different enough from that listed below to warrant a change in required immersion protection, the Organizer will contact all participants and the Trips Board member with the update at least a day before the trip.
Narrative: Join Joe Howell and me for a paddle up the Willamette River to Elk Rock Island. We'll meet at Willamette Park in Portland no later than 9:30 am for a launch at 10 am. There will be an outgoing tide during our trip, so we'll be paddling upstream against a mild current until we arrive at Elk Island. This is a great opportunity to practice your forward stroke in mild currents and build up your endurance while making your way past some floating homes, the Sellwood Bridge and Park and historic Milwaukie before arriving at our lunch takeout on Elk Island. Who knows, we may encounter some familiar stand-up paddle boarders along the way. New members are especially welcome to join us for this fun, level 1 paddle. Total distance will be approximately 6 miles. Weather looks promising, but no promises. There are restrooms available at the launch and parking rates are $1 per hour up to 5 hours. 6 hours or longer costs $10. Since this is a shorter paddle, the 5-hour pass should be adequate. Total water time will be about 3 hours. Afterwards, join Joe and me for an after-paddle debriefing at a local eatery. 
Meeting Time: 9:30:00 AM 
Launch Time: 10:00:00 AM 
Type of activity: Paddle Trip 
Put in: Willamette Park, Portland 
Take out: same 
Route Alternative for bad weather: TBD 
Required equipment: 
Minimum Immersion protection: Drysuit 
Primary Organizer: David Smith 
Assistant Organizer(s): Joe Howell 
Has organizer paddled here before? Yes 
Has organizer led an OOPS paddle here before? Yes 
Organizer's first aid and CPR current? Yes 
First Aid /CPR Person: 
Maximum number of paddlers: 12 
I certify that I understand and will conduct this activity in accordance with the OOPS Activity Policy: Yes 
Estimated Air Temperature: 50° 
Estimated Water Temperature: 45° 
Estimated Water Time (including breaks/lunch): 3 hours 
Tide times & heights: NOAA Morrison St Bridge: high at 7:10 am, 2.71'; low at 2:53 pm, .68' 
Current information: less than 2 knots 
Hazards: 
Wind strength: Level 1: 0-7 knots (8 mph) 
Swell/Surf size: 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 2: Mild currents (up to 2 knots): current increases / decreases group speed by half 
Total distance: Level 1: Up to 6 miles 
Open crossing: Level 1: No open crossing 
Paddling Environment: 
Overall rating: Level 1 
Rating Comments: 
Location (Optional): SW Macadam Ave and Nebraska St, Portland