Category Archives: Rivers

Who’s “Saving the World” in 2012?

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Just read a disturbing article that included a picture of a sad-faced beach-goer who had collected a huge black float that drifted ahead of the massive amount of tsunami debris. Disasters like that tsunami are horrific events generating devastating human and personal loss. The side effects ripple out in thousands of ways. Like many disasters and challenging events, there is also the opportunity to join together and create community and positive impact from them.

One example is the non-profit group Stopping Oregon’s Litter and Vandalism says it’ll be ready when that debris does wash up. The group already organizes two massive Oregon beach clean-ups every year. “We know that we can organize people to get out and help take care of the problem once it’s there,” said SOLV executive director Melisa McDonald. Peterson anticipates debris from the tsunami will continue to show up on our coast for about three to five years as it keeps circulating around the Pacific Ocean. Alone, the few things we might pick up in a river, lake, stream or ocean as we engage in our sport amount to a drop in a bucket – but there is amazing power in our collective efforts.

Jim Moriarity, CEO of the Surfrider Foundation, shared how Surfrider which is comprised of 250,000 supporters and 84 chapters across the U.S will Change the World in 2012 by protecting the coasts through engaged activism and by scaling effective ideas across a connected learning network. “A network becomes stronger, more valuable and more potent when it consistently learns from itself,” said Moriarity.

As 2012 opens we’d like to showcase and report on other water-efforts that you might be involved in. We can promote your websites, blogs and links so that more people can make a choice and make a difference – collectively.

Let us know if you are on Twitter so @eldersup can follow you.

Go beyond the re-usable bag – BEAT PLASTIC on our BEACHES

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Back in the day, we all remember when. There were no plastic water bottles.  Plastic bags, packaging redundancy and seemingly indestructible containers were not the norm. So was it easier to be recycle-savvy?

Maybe it was.  There was another difference, too.  We were all outside more often a few decades ago. Kids got dirty, explored woods, trees, water, rocks, mountains, beetles, birds and everything in between.  We all were more connected to the natural world because we were in it – outside – without the media spin or editing of today’s “nature shows.”

Out of sight of the film crews, textbook exploration of beaches and outside of the resort or “Disney-fied” beach experience, millions of pounds of plastic )bottles, bags, shoes, packaging, and objects float in daily.  We know that. We do what we can do personally – but how do we expand our influence?

Taking on that task, Patagonia, Gerry Lopez and others use their communication skills and influence to share stories that inspire awareness and change.  Gerry has lent his voice to the Plastic Pollution Coalition’s mission to bring awareness to the growing problem of single-use plastics. We hope you’ll share this article to your friends, family and social networks.

THE CLEANEST LINE: WHAT A MESS – REMEMBERING A WORLD BEFORE PLASTIC POLLUTION

Wherever you live there is probably a Surfrider Foundation group nearby.  With October comes Raptober and the “Rise Above Plastic” effort.  If plastic all over our beaches and waterways breaks your heart the way it does mine, join the effort today.

SUPers vs Plastic

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If you follow standuppaddlemovie (awesome trailer here) on Facebook you have seen the powerful video they shared featuring Jenny Kalmbach.  Reading over her blog it was very cool to discover that she spent many of her early SUP days with Jack Gillen.  I was fortunate to meet Jack at my home here in Oregon, then paddle out to some crystal clear swells off shore from the  Honokohau Harbor for my first surfing – it had been 40 years since my last surfing in South Florida mush waves (WOW!).

It’s easy to get mesmerized by Jenny’s power and grace across some sweet little wave faces, but the message is clear. Because we have the SUP Perspective, we have an eagle-eye view of what’s going on in the world’s waters when it comes to the impact of plastics.

If you have participated in a cleanup or other event geared to reducing the use of plastic water bottles, bags or cleanup, please share a quick post or idea here. Note to Jenny: We’d love to share more, please contact us for a short interview. Note to standuppaddlemovie: How can we get your film to Central Oregon? We are a SUP mecca!

SUP Racing: With time not vs time

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A few weeks ago the Deschutes River Conservancy’s second annual Race for the River took place at Riverbend Park in Bend, Oregon. It was awesome to see so many stand up paddlers and their dogs come out in support of the DRC’s mission to restore and preserve local rivers and streams. I paddled my 11’3″ Amundson to the start line along with quite a few race boards ready to paddle hard for the 5 miles of the long course.  The course was two loops – my favorite. That way, even though I am usually pretty close to the back of the pack I get to see the front action and cheer on the leaders.

Chip Booth (Standup Paddle Bend) was tucked in the reeds just before the Healy Bridge snapping action shots as we paddled by. I was so glad he captured this one. The arch of clear water poised in the air by my bare feet is beautiful. The bow wave reminds me of the gentle slapping sound of the bow along the current.  Yeah, my heart rate was in the 140-150 range for most of the paddle – I was working hard! But not for the race results (that would have been counter to my equipment and skills) but for the pure joy of being out on the river with so many of the paddling community.

I was thrilled that one of the more well-attended “races” was the paddle-with-your-dog event.  Happy pooches and their owners cruised the 2.5 mile loop with waggy tails and determined grins. Al Paterson and Rocky (picture below) led the way while Pam Stevenson and Sprocket hands-down won the aloha title, grass skirt and all (picture at the bottom). It would have been even more cool if the 30-40 SUPers who pepper the river doing casual paddling would have joined us for the event.  Sometimes the name “race” conjures up the image of  burly racers in their prime zooming through a course. Yes, “racing” includes that and it’s an incredibly exciting and powerful driver for the SUP community. (See the post: Heroes and Hats).

Here’s a thought. What if the “race” course was a 1 mile loop in which a paddler chose to go any distance from 1-6 miles.  The leaders would still race and each of us could paddle to the pace that our skills and inclination determines.  A culture of collaboration and connection between casual paddling and racing could emerge from the repetitive passing along the course and the need to figure out how to pass without interfering.

Best of all, a one hour time limit on the “race” would ensure that all the racers would be on shore to enjoy the after-party. Does your club or SUP community have this sort of race series? We’d love to hear how you get the largest SUP community gathering regularly for shared fun on the water.

Race for the River: Deschutes, Central Oregon

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A community celebration at Riverbend Park (Bend, OR)  on August 13 will include feature music performances, local vendors and a beer garden including a special craft brew from Deschutes Brewery.

Help us spread the word about this unique event that celebrates and supports the Deschutes River!

Since 1996, the Deschutes River Conservancy  has worked to restore streamflow and improve water quality in the Deschutes Basin. Over the past 15 years, DRC projects have restored more that 116 million gallons of water per day, back to our local rivers & streams. Take a look at this excellent video featuring restoration of Wychus Creek.

The Deschutes River has been the lifeblood of Central Oregon for thousands of years.  Naturally, the river means different things for different people.  It can mean water for wheat and water for drinking.  It can be where salmon spawn and where nets are cast.  It can be a place to simply reflect.  We may look at it differently, but we love it equally.  And so we’re equally affected by the problems facing the river today.  The Deschutes River Conservancy was formed to restore streamflow and improve water quality in the Deschutes Basin, through the close collaboration of everyone who cares about it – farmers, recreational enthusiasts, ranchers, conservationists, tribal communities and, we hope, you.

By participating in the fun float events and the SUP race events (even if you are slow and meandering in your “racing” style) you can have a great day on the water while supporting the cause for healthier waters.


SUP Perspective

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This blog is meant to become a collection of shared stories and powerful actions generated by those who have reached “the age of influence.” That is just another way of saying, ‘We have been hanging around this planet long enough to have grandchildren, social security, achy joints, more than a handful of decades and maybe a pretty big network of influence.”

What’s the SUP Perspective?  It’s the view from above. Literally, for ocean, bay, lake and river loving “elders” it is the view we get when we hop on our standup paddle boards and see our watery world from a new vantage point. That high level view has always been a much clearer view of the world – whether we talking politics, religion, education, or the environment.  In the world of SUP the views is more often literal.

Yet, using SUP Perspective as a metaphor around awareness of the threats and injuries our global waters have sustained over the decades I started to consider a means for making a difference. Our family of ocean/lake/river loving “elders” can create momentum for and awareness of the plight of our world’s waters.   Are you a dedicated lover of nature? Has the ocean always reigned as the epitome example of our “big blue marble” planet?  Does a charging river, a glacial lake, a tropical bay or meandering tributary hold meaning or value to you? Do you have the time and energy to add small changes and big attitudes to a cause driven by stories, pictures and heritage – not money? Have you spent some time balanced and paddling on your favorite waters on your SUP board?

While this blog project is not limited to the silver haired adventurers, at age 62 I am solidly in that group. At this age I find that there is more time to make a difference. Looking toward the planet we might bequeath to the youngest generation it seems we’d better build awareness and future through our stories and influence. Search the category menu on the right – there should be something for everyone. if you don’t see what you’d like, just let us know.  This quest for a healthier water-life for our planet belongs to all of us. Please join the conversation via e-mail, by commenting on this blog and by joining our Facebook group.

An indie documentary could result from our collective stories, actions, adventures and insights.  Funding is in the works. If that aspect of this endeavor sparks your imagination, please let us know.