SOTAR Lance Review: The 11' Merlin Raft on the North Santiam, White Salmon and More
The SOTAR 11' Lance tested R1, R2 and R3: the Niagara section of the North Santiam, Husum Falls on the White Salmon, and 18-mile loaded days on the Grande Ronde.
R1 and R2 Runs: The Lower Clackamas, McKenzie, Washougal and Upper Clackamas
R1 means one person paddling a raft, and R2 means two. These are my R1 and R2 runs: the Lower Clackamas, the McKenzie in 2025, the Washougal R2 with my dad, and the Upper Clackamas in 2026. Looking for an R1 or R2 boat? See Merlin vs. Rogue.
New Year's Day on the Sandy River: 2024 and 2026
Here are my New Year's Day trips on the Sandy River, from 2024 and 2026. For the run that changed things for me, see my turning point on the Sandy.
Whitewater Year Finales: 2025, 2024 and 2023
Every year ends with a finale video. Here are all three, newest first: 2025, 2024 and 2023.
The New Klamath: Rafting the Klamath River After Dam Removal
A 40-minute, rapid-by-rapid look at the "New Klamath" in 2025, the newly free-flowing Klamath River after the largest dam removal in US history.
SOTAR Rondel Review: The 8' Merlin Inflatable Kayak on the Deschutes and Clackamas
The Rondel is the 8' inflatable kayak in SOTAR's Merlin series. I first demoed it on the Deschutes, then took it to the pool and the Clackamas for some chaos. Both videos and my take are below, and the Rondel is $1,200 in the shop.
The White Salmon River 2025 in a SOTAR SL
Running the White Salmon River at higher water in my SOTAR SL inflatable kayak in 2025, with some good saves, plus a guide to the BZ Corner run.
The Sandy River 2024: My Turning Point in an Inflatable Kayak
Running the Sandy River in my AIRE Lynx in 2024, the turning point that slingshotted me into harder whitewater kayaking.
Santiam and Molalla Days: Easy Runs, Spawning Salmon and 4,000 CFS
Not every day on the river is a big one. These are my Santiam and Molalla videos: an easy rapid in an inflatable kayak, salmon spawning in September 2023, winter on the Upper Santiam, the Upper Santiam at 4,000 cfs and the Molalla in 2024.
Lower Deschutes Rapids: Whitehorse, Buckskin Mary and the Last Rapid
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.