LWS Pre-Picnic Paddle

Saturday we had an easy run down the Lower White Salmon prior to the OKCC Picnic. Maybe we had a 'kayaker's dozen', somewhere between 8 and 20. Actually, we were 11. I'd thought we'd have a playful boogey run with a long stop at the Cave Wave, but we had a chance to practice our rescue skills and simply getting through the rapids right side up. With absolutely wonderful weather, we couldn't help but have a good time. As the video shows, a few of us had good rides on the Cave Wave, although by then others were simply looking for an opportunity to get out of their boats and relax. Level on the stick gauge at Husum was 2.75' - I think the wave will be a little easier when it drops just a little. Everyone was smiling on the paddle out so 'a good time was had by all.'
The Picnic was waiting for us, thanks to Mark, and it was excellent. You'll have to look elsewhere for pictures of the picnic itself - they're somewhere out there in cyberspace.

Beginner Progression #1 – Summer/Fall ‘09

Nineteen boaters showed up for the 2009 summer kickoff of the OKCC Beginner Progression. We ran the classic Barton to Carver, but at 1500-1600 on the 3Lynx gauge, there were only a few good eddies to practice in, and fishermen had taken over one of them.

Thanks to numerous safety boaters, there were only a few minor yard sales and no real carnage. Note to new boaters: Have floatbags actually in your boat and attach all outfitting.

Most of the swims happened while practicing eddy turns, but as a major point of the trips is to provide a safe environment for practicing boat handling skills, that was great. Keep up the good work!

We had an interesting collection of IKs and hardshells, but no canoes this trip – although canoes are welcome. Keep in mind these trips usually don’t stop for lunch.

It was great to see both new and old faces on the river; please come back next month.

July's trip – subject to river levels – will be McIver to Paradise Park. If time permits, we’ll do it twice. Email okccbeginner@gmail.com the week prior to the event for up-to-date information.

For questions about the beginner trips, email sue@scheppele.com or acwakeman@comcast.net.

Beginner Progression Schedule:

July 12 - McIver to Paradise – subject to water conditions

Aug 9 - TBA

Sep 13 - TBA

Oct 11 - TBA

Nov 8 – TBA