Interested in supporting Columbia Slough Watershed Council’s on-water events in 2024?
Join our Paddle Team! This group of volunteers helps to set up and lead our on-water events on the Slough!
This training will be held in person and is required for all Paddle Team volunteers who are new/returning and missed the April training. To attend this training, you must watch the Webinar Orientation and submit background checks. Details for both are available on our Paddle Team page on our website. If you have questions, contact Valeria Villanueva at valeria.villanueva@columbiaslough.org

As a reminder, previous paddling experience is not necessary. By the end of the training, all participants will walk away with knowledge of how to load/unload boats, assemble bimarans, how to give a safety talk, how to be safe on the water, radio protocols, how to fit life vests, how to get in/out of canoes, and more! 

Getting there: Meet us at Whitaker Ponds Nature Park! Free parking is available. Public transportation is encouraged! Bus #75 stops at NE 47th Ave and Columbia Blvd. Walk north on NE 47th Ave about 0.25 miles, and Whitaker Ponds Nature Park will be on your right. Restrooms will be available throughout the training.

What to bring: Come dressed in warm clothes and prepared for the weather. We will be training rain or shine, and outside for the entirety of the training. Pack along water, maybe a thermos of something warm to drink, an extra set of clothes in case you take an unintended swim from a boat, and any extra snacks that you might want. 

Columbia Slough Watershed Council will be providing: morning coffee, lunch and soda/soda water throughout the day. For the ~1 hour that we will be spending on water, we will be using Columbia Slough Watershed Council boats and PFDs. If you prefer to bring your own PFD, you are welcome to, however, please do not bring your own boat.