The Upper Clackamas at 6,500 CFS: A High-Water Swim and Recovery
Rowing the Upper Clackamas at 6,500 cfs in a Super Puma: a swim at high water, a good recovery, and what to know about big-water days.
My Flips on the Upper Clackamas, and What They Taught Me
Flipping is part of boating. These are my flips on the Upper Clackamas: my 2025 kayak flip broken down, the raw footage, and a lateral I hit wrong, plus the lessons I keep coming back to. It's my story, not a how-to. Learn rescue from a qualified instructor.
Rainie Falls Fish Ladder on the Rogue: 2023 and 2025
Running the fish ladder beside Rainie Falls doesn't always go smoothly. In 2023 we were unsticking boats, and in 2025 we got stuck at the bottom. Both runs are below.
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.
Learning to Hardshell Kayak: From Pool Rolls to the River
Alongside my inflatables, I've been learning to paddle a hardshell: first rolls in a pool, roll practice, a Jackson Hero, a near-flip, easy Santiam whitewater and rolling a Pyranha Ripper. Here's that whole stretch, video by video.
High Water on the Lower Santiam (Fall 2023): The Full Run in Four Parts
In fall 2023 we caught the Lower Santiam at high water, and I filmed the whole run in four parts: three from my Super Puma and one from a kayaker's view. All four videos are below, in order.
Lower Clackamas Chills and Spills 2023: Three Swims and a Rescued Paddle
A hardshell paddler swims three times on the Lower Clackamas, a splinted paddle floats away, and I track it down. Lessons from a chaotic 2023 day.
Oar Snubber: What It Is, Why to Run One, and Which Fits Your Sawyer Oar
An oar stop, a snub and a leash in one piece of gear. Here's what it does and how to pick the MXS, MXS-G or MXL-G.
Picking Your Boat: SOTAR Raft, Cataraft or IK, or a Go North Packraft?
Choosing between a raft, a cataraft, an inflatable kayak and a packraft comes down to where you'll paddle, who's coming with you and how you'll get the boat to the river. Here's how I'd choose between SOTAR's rafts, cats and IKs and Go North's packrafts, what R1 and R2 mean, and how to try boating before you spend.
Pak Pocket Knives and Waterproof First Aid Kit: The Small Gear That Comes on Every Trip
Four Pak knife options starting at $30 and a $25 waterproof first aid kit. What each one's good for and why they ride in my bag.