Tumalo Creek Blog

Pickin’ & Paddlin’

A Fundraiser for the Bend Paddle Trail Alliance in Bend, OR

By Laurel Brauns

There are few places in the country that can boast such a tight-knit and bountiful paddling community as the one that is bursting at the seams in Bend, Oregon. Drive through Bend on a summer evening, and most folks will have a boat of some sort tied to their roof–or hanging from their trailer–waiting for the sun to rise so they can get out on the rivers or lakes of the Cascades.

Thrill seekers will run Meadow Camp (a Class IV whitewater paddle) at least two or three times a week, plunging through the glacial run-off of the Deschutes River as it descends through the Cascade Mountains.

Those that are out there for scenery and exercise pride them selves on daily treks up to the Cascade Lakes – an incomparable series of alpine lakes that could keep a flatwater paddler happy for a lifetime.

Both of these communities mix in harmony and revelry during the summer at the monthly Pickin’ & Paddlin’ Music Series and Demo Day, hosted by Bend’s largest paddle shop, Tumalo Creek Kayak & Canoe. Located on the banks of the Deschutes River, this store (and Pickin’ & Paddlin’), have become a gathering place for both flatwater and whitewater enthusiasts alike.

Take a kayak, canoe or stand-up paddleboard out for a test paddle on the Deschutes River through the Old Mill District, and you’ll be in good company on a hot summer afternoon—thousands of tubers and boaters navigate this stretch of river everyday in the height of summer. (The is the “Paddlin’” half of Pickin’ & Paddlin.’)

After the boats get put away, the kegs get tapped, and micro-brews are poured from some of the best breweries in the United States… that happen to be just across the river from the shop.

So let the Pickin’ begin! As the sun begins to descend behind the Cascade Mountains in the distance, some of Central Oregon’s best bluegrass bands take the stage, entertaining the jubilant crowd long into the night.

But beneath the music, revelry and partying, there is a dark undercurrent, a solemness that cuts through the crowd when Tumalo Creek’s owner and manager Geoff Frank steps up to the microphone half-way through the night. Frank recounts the story of the time he pulled a 70-year-old women from out of the rock pilings of the Colorado Dam, a mill-era spill way just yards downstream from the party. Her grandchildren and husband had gone through the spillway, but she was pinned underwater on one of the I-Beams and was unconscious from a head injury when Frank first found her limp arm under the rapids. After what seemed like minutes of struggling to pull her out by her arm, the woman came to, and with the help of a friend, Frank was able to bear hug her out of the water.

While that story and many others had happy endings (dozens of tubers have swum through the spillway), the very next day after he rescued the 70-year-old women, Frank’s phone rang. The staff at the shop was calling to tell him the news of someone who had not been so lucky. A young Japanese woman was not able to read the signs directing her to exit the river. Her foot became entrapped and she drowned in the strong currents.

Frank then tells the crowd that Pickin’ & Paddlin is a fundraiser for the Bend Paddle Trail Alliance, the organization that is working towards creating a whitewater play park in place of the dangerous dam that was built in 1915. The dam was originally built to store logs for the Shevlin-Hixon and Brooks-Scanlon mills; today it is a dangerous hazard that has caused injury and death to a number of unsuspecting floaters on the Deschutes River.

The BPTA is working closely with Bend Parks and Rec and the Old Mill District to make the whitewater recreation area a reality—to be enjoyed by tubers, whitewater kayakers and stand up paddleboarders alike. Successful parks in other communities such as Missoula, Montana and Cascade, Idaho have brought millions of visitor dollars into their economies.

As engineering studies and designers work towards creating a plan for the park, the Pickin’ & Paddlin’ series has provided a tremendous show of community support for the project, something that will help win grants in the future. Just last summer, the organization brought in $10,000 in donations through the event and got hundreds of new paddlers out on the water as part of the boat demo portion of the evening.

The series has become a phenomenon with a life of it’s own—a party that everyone in town is invited to. For many, it’s one of the highlights of the summer.

Next time you’re in Bend, Oregon, come down to Pickin’ and Paddlin’ the last Wednesday of every month in the summer. After taking out a few boats for a test paddle, pick up one of the Bend Paddle Trail Alliance pint glasses, fill ‘er up with a cold one, and kick off your shoes. You’ll have an unforgettable evening supporting a great cause.

We’re psyched to be partnering with the Oregon Natural Desert Association to help bring the Wild & Scenic Film Festival to Bend this September 22 at McMenamins OSF.

Come into the shop to get your tickets ($10) or buy them online through ONDA’s website.

Why come to the festival?

The film screening will feature independent films not readily accessible to the public. Each piece has beautiful cinematography, and interesting stories to inspire the activist within us all.

Check out a couple of the Wild & Scenic Film Festival movie trailers here:

Walking the Line: A world-class thru-hiker follows 500 miles of transmission line through the west’s most remote landscapes to promote renewable energy.

The Greatest Migration: Snake River salmon travel 900 miles and climb 7,000 feet to reach their spawning grounds, but dams along their journey block their migration and may eventually cause their extinction.

This event is also an awareness raiser and membership drive for ONDA. Many Central Oregonians are not aware of all the work that ONDA does to protect rivers and designate waterways throughout Oregon’s Outback as Wild & Scenic Rivers. Become an ONDA member as part of this event, and for $20 you’ll get a membership, and a ticket to the festival. You’ll also get the Wild Desert calendar, a water bottle and entry into the new-member drawing. Sounds like a good deal!

KIDS Center Staff SUP through the Old Mill

Like most businesses, we get calls every day from non-profits and other organizations looking for donations and support. Most folks know about our work to support the Bend Paddle Trail Alliance (see Pickin’ & Paddlin’) and other environmental organizations like the Deschutes River Conservancy, the Upper Deschutes Watershed Council, and the Oregon Natural Desert Association.

We got a call recently from the KIDS Center. The staff wanted to go out stand up paddleboarding as a release from their stressful days working with abused children. We decided to hook them up, as we really believe in the work that they do. The are a prevention and diagnostic service, advocating for children, and providing therapeutic services for kids and their families. Learn more about the KIDS Center here.

Last Friday we took almost the whole KIDS Center staff out on the water and had a blast, and it looks like they did too!

Another one of the most interesting and useful presentations I attended at Outdoor Retailer last week was a seminar about America’s waterways and the many health, social and economic benefits they bring to urban areas. The panel was put together and presented by David Weinstein, who directs government affairs for the Outdoor Industry Association. David made a very eloquent introduction to the seminar describing the ways in which rivers are at the heart of most major cities and communities across the country. Recreation groups like American Whitewater and American Rivers have worked to increase access to rivers and enhance conservation, while local governments and the outdoor industry have worked together to transform polluted urban waterways into vibrant water-front parks.

The panel was a great overview of successful urban renewal projects centered around waterways, and also provided some great information about President Obama’s America’s Great Outdoors report and the Recreational Blueway Trails initiative. Check out the video on Blueways below made by American Rivers and presented by Jamie Mierau:

Confluence Park in Denver - a prime example of how restoring urban waterways leads to economic development and improved quality of life.

I also learned quite a bit from Gordon Robertson’s (Director, Park Planning) presentation on Confluence Park in Denver. The park was created in an industrial wasteland where Cherry Creek and the South Platte River join together in Denver’s lower downtown. The area has been transformed from a place no one wanted to live to an up-scale neighborhood of townhouses, apartments and loft developments. The park has a kayak run and a skate park as well as many bike trails.

The other panelist was Guy Jones from River Runner Outdoor Center, Columbia, SC who spoke about how his efforts to protect a stretch of river in his hometown eventually lead to a career as a kayak and canoe shop owner and tour and rental operator.

As I heard all these speakers from diverse backgrounds tell us about their projects, I was again reminded how lucky we are here in Bend, OR to have so many miles of river parks and river access. Practically all of downtown and most of the Old Mill is one long riverfront park and trail system. But these presentations also reminded me of how far we have to go and how important it is to “dream big” and to continue to support the vision of the Bend Paddle Trail Alliance, that along with Bend Parks and Rec and the Old Mill District, is working to transform the Colorado Dam into a whitewater recreation park. Hopefully one day the Colorado Dam improvement project will stand along side these other urban parks as a successful example of the way restored waterways contribute to healthy communities and economies.

SUP racing with your dog: one of the most popular race categories.

Join us out on the river this Saturday, August 13, 2011! This is an incredibly fun event that represents why we love living in Bend, and best of all it raises money for one of our favorite non-profits, the Deschutes River Conservancy.

We had a blast out on the river last year and got some hilarious photos of all the folks out racing with their dogs! Tumalo Creek proud to be the official safety boaters for race for the river.

Register online by following the links from http://www.deschutesriver.​org/

Race categories include
Sanctioned Stand-Up Paddle Board Long and Short Courses
Canoe & Kayak
Rafts & Floaties
Open Swim with and without wetsuits
Team Challenge

Win a fashionable and functional Ruff Wear float coat, as seen on last year's fastest race participants.

Race with your Dog Swim, Canoe & Kayak, Floaties and SUP categories include a Ruff Wear float coat!

Other activities:
Moon Mountain Ramblers will be performing from 12:30 – 2:30p
Deschutes Brewery will be pouring the Race for the River Summer Ale, specially brewed for the occasion
REI Bend is supplying all of the prizes
92.9 will be doing live remote starting at 9 a.m. and plan on being onsite throughout the day

Race participants save money and time with early registration
We have over 15 vendors participating in our vendor expo
Youth activities will be provided by Kiddoz Play Center

Revenue, Reach and Responsibility:

A Presentation at Outdoor Retailer by Kate Williams,
Executive Director of the Northern Forest Canoe Trail

One of the most fascinating and relevant presentations I attended at Outdoor Retailer was Kate William’s talk on the partnerships between retailers and paddle trails. Kate represents the Northern Forest Canoe Trail, a 740 mile stretch that links the waterways of New York, Vermont, Quebec, New Hampshire and Maine. NFCT has created maps, books and online resources to enrich the paddling experience with history of early Native Americans and European settlers in this area. Kate showed many examples of the ways in which the paddle trail helped to revitalize communities and businesses through partnerships.

Here in Bend, the relationship between Tumalo Creek Kayak & Canoe and the Bend Paddle Trail Alliance is extremely solid and supportive and, as Kate went through her list of recommendations on how to strengthen this connection, I was psyched to note all the things we are already doing right! She also offered up many ideas of things that we could think about implimenting in the future.

 

Pickin' & Paddlin' is a monthly event that takes place at Tumalo Creek Kayak & Canoe. This event combines boat demos and live music and raises money for the Bend Paddle Trail Alliance.

Things were are already doing:

Creating stories around the paddle trail that tie into history and healthy lifestyles.
The Deschutes River section that flows through Bend is itself a metaphor for the city’s transformation from a milltown to a recreational mecca.

Being the experts on your paddle trail.
We use the Deschutes Paddle Trail Guide that was created by the BPTA every day at the shop to explain sections of the river to our customers.

Creating events that bring the Paddle Trail and retailer together.
Pickin’ & Paddlin’ has been a huge success this summer bringing hundreds of people down to the river to try out boats, learn about the BPTA and enjoy live music. Both the June and July events raised nearly $3,000 each for the BPTA and had over 300 attendees.

Kate Williams, executive director, NFCT

Kate’s ideas for the future:

Create a “trail vacation” package.
Partner with Cog Wild and an area hotel (Pine Ridge Inn or Oxford Hotel) that offers a day on the river and another mountain biking and is promoted by all four entities (Tumalo Creek, BPTA, hotel, Cog Wild or other tour company.)

Spread the story nationally.
Network with paddling sites like Paddling.net etc.

Voluntourism.
Start a voluntourism program where people travel to Bend to clean up sections of the river.

Next Generation.
Create a flatwater youth paddling program where kids not only learn how to paddle, but learn about the geography of the Deschutes Paddle Trail.

Kate closed the presentation by directing us to a Trails and Economic Development Report that has just been published that quantifies the ways in which the NFCT has strengthened and revitalized trail side communities. One of the most interesting facts to come out of the study was that trails are the #1 amenity sited by homebuyers 55 and older as a reason to invest in real estate. It is pretty likely we’d come to some very similar conclusions here in Bend.

Tumalo Creek Kayak & Canoe will host a stand-up paddleboarding race series for six consecutive weeks, every Wednesday evening from 6 – 8 p.m. from July 27 though August 31, 2011. The series is designed to encourage the fun aspect of paddling, while allowing a casual atmosphere to compete. This series begins on the same night that Tumalo Creek hosts the Pickin’ & Paddlin’ Music Series and Demo Days, assuring a great after party for SUP racers.

Tumalo Creek rents boards to all race participants for half-price every Wednesday night – that is $20 for board, paddle and PFD. The race is free.

Please check back at the Tumalo Creek Blog for weekly results: www.tumalocreek.com/blog.

About Paddleboarding in Central Oregon

Kia Loa crew parties with paddles on the back lawn.

Paddleboarding is currently the fastest growing water sport in the US and has gained a steady following in Bend, where the flat sections of the Deschutes offer the perfect spot for an evening workout in the summer months. The sport originated in Hawaii as a way for surfing instructors to manage their classes. Paddleboarding has now become popular world wide, and many athletes are embracing it because of the strong “core” workout that is gained from balancing and using arm strength at the same time.

Tumalo Creek offers instructional SUP classes every Sunday from 9 – 11 a.m. and 3 – 5 p.m. for $45. We also offer Ladies SUP Nights every Monday and Thursday from 6 – 8 p.m. with light instruction and all gear included for $20. Locals/Co-ed Night is every Tuesday, also 6 – 8 p.m. for $20.

Our first Pickin’ & Paddlin’ of the year was a great success. It was great to start off the summer with such a bang. We raised $2,600 for the Bend Paddle Trail Alliance. Thanks to all of you who bought pint glasses and made donations for beer and a special thanks to Cascade Lakes Brewery and Deschutes Brewery for donating the kegs.

My band, the Sweet Harlots played for the event and we had a full show with Amy Mitchell on cello, John Cashman on drums and Julie Southwell on violin. We played lots of new originals from my upcoming album, House of Snow.

We had many photographers in the house and I’m sure we’ll have more pictures pouring in, but here are some of the best from the evening. And if you haven’t yet, check out the Pickin’ & Paddlin’ video produced by Hellfish TV at the bottom featuring brief interviews with Geoff Frank and Mark Schang.

Women's Stand Up Paddleboard Night at Tumalo Creek: Every Monday and Thursday this summer

We are the oldest Stand Up Paddleboard store in Central Oregon, which basically means we were invested in the sport way before it exploaded in popularity. By invested, we mean we want to help grow the SUP community and teach people the sport in the fun and safe atmosphere so that they will become lifelong paddlers.

Join us out on the water this summer! We have a full schedule of events every night of the week at Tumalo Creek from our ever popular Women’s SUP Night, to Full Moon Paddles, to an easy-going SUP Race Series. We are your Central Oregon SUP headquarters.

So mark your calendars and check out our events calendar often. New events are always being added and we encourage you to sign up early as our programs are super fun and therefore really popular. Great value, great times. It’s all here at Tumalo Creek.

Monday – Women’s SUP 6 – 8 p.m. $20 now through Aug

Tuesday – Local Co-Ed SUP 6 – 8 p.m. $20 now through Aug

Wednesday – Fun SUP Race series. Six weeks beginning July 27. Boards rented at a discounted rate to competitors.

Thursday – Women’s SUP 6 – 8 p.m. $20 July & Aug

Sunday – SUP Class from 9 – 11 a.m. and 3 – 5 p.m. $45 for two hours of SUP instruction , board, PFD, paddle.

Artist David Kinker

Kinker is a Bend legend: he one of the most well respected kayakers and rafters in the boating community and is also an incredible visual artist. You may have seen his work in the Tower Theatre, murals that line the walls and bathrooms of the balcony, paying homage to the theatre’s Art Deco roots. Or you may be familiar with the backdrop at Silver Moon Brewing, a mural that perfectly blends breathtaking scenery with a little psychedelia.

Kinker has recently signed on to the PLACE:TWELVE program set up by Bend’s Arts, Beautification and Culture Commission. Artists create a piece of art inspired by a historical photograph that is indicative of Bend’s past, but that also that inspires the future. The art he creates will hang for three months on the walls of Bend’s City Hall, from May 6 – July 28, 2011.

Just beyond the Mill Buildings is present day Tumalo Creek.

Kinker chose the classic Mill-era photo of the “pond monkey,” (pictured above) for his piece. In this photograph the short, very Irish-looking Dan McClealen stands on huge logs floating down the river, keeping the logs from clogging up the supply to the mill. In this photo, he is right upstream from Tumalo Creek. The pond monkey was known as one of the most agile workers of the mill, but many of them still could not swim.

The pond monkey inspired visions for Kinker of the present day Stand Up Paddleboarder, often seen on this section of the Deschutes. Down the river of time in Bend’s future, a whitewater play park is planned where the Colorado Bridge crosses the Deschutes. This park, which has been one of the primary goals of the Bend Paddle Trail Alliance for eight years, would feature a place for tubers to float through, a few man made waves for SUPers and kayakers and a restored habitat for riparian wildlife.

Kinker's vision for the transformation of the Colorado Bridge into a whitewater play park and riparian habitat.

Kinker’s piece will trace Bend’s story of economic success, from cattle to lumber to tourism. Bend’s economic growth in the last two decades has relied primarily on the bountiful opportunities for recreation in the outdoors. David hopes that this “past, present, and future” rendition of the Old Mill will further inspire enthusiasm and support for the Colorado Bridge transformation.