A cold winter day on the Upper Clackamas with snow and ice on the banks, paddle rafting and rowing the Super Puma.
Video: The Upper Clackamas on the SOLWYRX Paddlesports YouTube channel.
Disclosure: SOLWYRX Paddle Gear sells Sawyer gear, and I earn money when you buy it here.
The Super Puma works both ways: as a paddle raft with a crew, or rigged with a frame and oars. This video shows both, which makes it a good look at how the same boat handles differently depending on who's driving and how.
Paddle raft vs. oar rig
In a paddle raft, everybody's strokes matter and the guide steers. On oars, one person does all the work and has a lot more power and precision. For paddles, I like the Sawyer Guide Styk; my Guide Styk vs. Guide Styk PRO article compares the two. For oars, I run Sawyer DyneLite XD MXS.
Snow on the banks means extra care
When there's ice on the rocks, scouting and portaging get slippery, and a swim gets serious fast. Dry suits, warm layers, and a group that keeps an eye on each other matter more than ever. For a community winter trip on this river, check out River Rat Sunday.
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 28, 2026 · By Jacob Linkhart, owner of SOLWYRX Paddle Gear · Spot a mistake? Email me and I'll fix it.
