| WHAT: LGBTQIA+ community and allies, join Oregon Paddle Sports and Willamette Riverkeeper as we celebrate Pride with a sunset paddle the Willamette River! We’ll start at Eastgate Woodlands and paddle downstream to Alton Baker Park.. Bring your own boat, borrow one of ours, or reserve a seat in a raft. WHERE: If you are joining us in one of our boats, please meet WRK and OPS at Alton Baker Park at 5PM in the upper parking lot nearest to Pre’s Trail and the Canoe Canal (left parking lot coming in from the park entrance off Country Club Rd.) If you are BYOB – please drop your boat/gear off at D Street (Aspen) boat ramp with our staff, and drive to Alton Baker Park to park by 5:15PM. We will organize shuttles for everyone to the put-in at Eastgate Woodlands (D Street boat ramp). PLEASE BE ON TIME. We will fill out waivers in the parking lot at Alton Baker before shuttling over to the put-in and assigning boats/seats to everyone. Please be patient as we deliver a safety briefing and ensure everyone has what they need to enjoy our float. DRESS UP / WEAR YOUR FAVORITE COLORFUL COSTUME / BE YOURSELF! This float is a celebration for everyone to connect to #OurWillamette River! WHEN: Friday, August 16th from 5:30 - 8:30PM Please arrive early if possible, so we can get you set up as quickly as possible with a watercraft if you are borrowing one from us! DETAILS: For those without their own watercraft, we will provide a boat and paddling gear at no charge. You must indicate your reservation on the registration or we will assume you are paddling your own boat. PFDs and helmets for small watercraft are required. You must register with a paddling partner if you are reserving a tandem boat. This is a casual group paddle! We will be leading and sweeping with rafts and safety boaters. We will navigate our first rapid at the low head dam, just above the I5 Bridge by staying FAR RIVER RIGHT, and making a sharp turn behind the jetty before heading downstream through Cotton Candy wave and under the Knickerbocker Bridge. Plan to traverse a few rock gardens before we reach the Autzen Rapid and ferry river right before getting out at Alton Baker boat ramp. ALL SKILLS LEVELS WELCOME - including beginner whitewater enthusiasts! We just ask that you please follow and stay behind our lead boater for the safest route, and to ensure you don’t miss the boat ramp at the end! WHAT TO BRING: Please pack along water, weather appropriate clothing, sunscreen, sunglasses, extra clothing in your car (in case you take an unexpected swim) ...and your PRIDE gear of course! Flags and flair strongly encouraged! Participants should be comfortable paddling for at least 2 hours. QUESTIONS? Email event organizers Michelle Emmons at michelle@willametteriverkeeper.org or Chance Rey at Oregon Paddle Sports at chance@whitewaterdesigns.com. |
