Three Lower Deschutes videos in one place: Whitehorse Rapid in a loaded 14' SOTAR in 2022, Buckskin Mary, and the last rapid of the run.
Disclosure: SOLWYRX Paddle Gear sells SOTAR, Sawyer and Oar Snubber gear, and I earn money when you buy it here. SOTAR also sponsors me as an athlete.
Whitehorse Rapid on the Lower Deschutes in a Loaded 14' SOTAR
This is a clean 2022 run of Whitehorse Rapid on the Lower Deschutes River in Oregon, rowing our fully loaded 14-foot SOTAR Classic ST on Sawyer Square Top oars.
Video: The Deschutes river 2022 whitehorse rapid on the SOLWYRX Paddlesports YouTube channel.
Filmed: 2022
About Whitehorse
Whitehorse sits in the remote canyon stretch of the Lower Deschutes. It's built from rocks strewn across the river: it starts with a steep, Class III entrance and then turns into about a mile of busy Class II–II+ water (ROW Adventures). On a multi-day trip I hit it with a heavy boat, and a heavy boat doesn't turn on a dime, so I set my angle early and let momentum work for me.
The boat and oars
A loaded 14' SOTAR Classic ST is about as steady as rafts get. The consistent tube diameter gives it real lift coming out of holes, and it tracks predictably, which is exactly what you want on an expedition. For more on sizing, see my Classic ST buyer's guide.
I ran Sawyer Square Top oars on this trip. They're a classic for a reason: tough, simple and they take a beating.
Source: ROW Adventures, Understanding the Whitewater on the Deschutes River
Buckskin Mary Rapid on the Lower Deschutes
A clean run of Buckskin Mary, a Class III rapid on the Lower Deschutes River, rowing our 14-foot SOTAR Classic ST.
Video: Lower Deschutes, Buckskin Mary on the SOLWYRX Paddlesports YouTube channel.
How Buckskin Mary works
At Buckskin Mary the water squeezes between piles of rock, and a wave train builds to a bigger wave at the bottom (ROW Adventures). In our loaded raft it was a straight, clean run through the wave train.
It's the same trip as Whitehorse Rapid, and the Lower Deschutes is a great multi-day river for building rowing skills, with enough real rapids to keep you honest and plenty of flat water to practice in between.
The boat
A 14' SOTAR Classic ST is the do-it-all size: big enough for gear and a crew, still small enough to row on technical water. My Classic ST buyer's guide covers every size from 10' to 18'.
The Last Rapid on the Lower Deschutes
Rowing the last rapid of a Lower Deschutes trip in our 14-foot SOTAR Classic ST on Sawyer Square Top oars.
Video: The last rapid on the Lower Deschutes on the SOLWYRX Paddlesports YouTube channel.
The last rapid of a trip is sneaky. You're tired, you're thinking about the take-out, and you've already run the big ones. That's exactly when people get sloppy. Give it the same attention you gave Whitehorse.
The Lower Deschutes is a great multi-day river, with rapids like Whitehorse and Buckskin Mary in the canyon and big ones like Oak Springs near Maupin (ROW Adventures).
The rig
A 14' SOTAR Classic ST with Sawyer Square Top oars is a proven expedition setup. Add an Oar Snubber (see my Oar Snubber guide) and you won't watch an oar float away at the end of a long trip.
Personal trip report: flows, wood and hazards change, and what worked for me that day isn't a rule for your boat or group. Check current conditions, scout, and boat within your training.
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Updated October 31, 2026 · By Jacob Linkhart, owner of SOLWYRX Paddle Gear · Spot a mistake? Email me and I'll fix it.
