New Year’s Day Paddle on the Metolius River 2026

Great turnout for 2026!!

It was another awesome day on the Metolius this Jan 1, 2026. Spirits were high as paddlers slowly prepped their boats and gear. The pace lagged only because it’s as much a social event as a paddle, and each new rig that rolled up means everyone stops to greet the newly-arrived, give hugs and talk story. That’s what makes this event so fun!

The annual New Year’s Day paddle began over 15 years ago. Turns out, initially there were a couple groups that paddled consistently on NYD and over time, they merged. Longtime Bendite paddlers such as local artist Dave Kinker, George Cocores, John Cramp and family, Rick Wright and TC shop owner Geoff Frank–just to name a few. Several of these guys still paddle it every year. One beloved paddler in the whitewater kayaking community, Kricket, sadly passed away in 2012. She was known for her positive energy and inclusivity–commonly rallying friends when they were second-guessing the day, and for some, they still paddle in her honor. What is so cool about this long-standing event and the river in general, is that we all get out there for our own reasons and share it with our paddling family. From paddling in tribute to a friend or a resolution to paddle more or simply hang with your buddies, it’s a healthy and beautiful way to spend the first day of the year.

Looking back, there are so many past employees and community paddlers that have participated year after year. Weather hasn’t gotten in the way…sunshine and cold, snow on the ground or rain, paddlers show up annually to celebrate the new year! Look at this crew back in 2012!

This year, the weather was a little chilly and a bit drizzly but nothing a drysuit and beanie couldn’t fix. Some of us even enjoyed a little dance party to stay warm while the shuttle was being run. (Running Man anybody?!) Eventually we all launched–a solid crew of about 25 rafts, hard-shell kayaks, IK’s and packrafts making for a small parade down the river. After the huge amount of rain last week, paddlers in the lead jumped out to scout a rapid below the springs which has an “almost river wide log”, to make sure there wasn’t any additional wood debris (there wasn’t). It was good-to-go and seemed maybe easier, with higher water levels, than the prior year. We passed under the bridges–John and Sage kept their tradition of running over the bridge and jumping back in the boat as it passed under. Booooyaaaa! Before you know it, we’re at the take-out (it’s a pretty short stretch of river and we were done predictably fast).

The fun continued with a lengthy tail-gating at the take-out. Beers, snacks, chit chat and even more dancing!! I feel I speak on behalf of every paddler out there when I say it was an awesome, heartwarming event. Everyone seemed really grateful for having come together, paddled with friends we hadn’t seen in a long time or maybe the week before. It was the perfect way to start the New Year 2026!