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To sign up for a trip or
find out more about the
Outdoor Program, call
686-4365 or stop by the of
fice, located near the
loading docks in the base
ment of the EMU.
Chuck Solin of the
Eugene Parks and Recrea
tion Department says his
classes in rafting are
primarily educational.
"We don't offer just an
experience on the river,"
Sofin says. "We give people
skills to do the activity on
their own."
The first meeting in
cludes a pool session, a
classroom meeting, and a
slideshow on environmen
tal education prepared by
the Outdoor Program.
For $32 you can attend
the orientation and spend
two days on the McKenzie.
Participants must provide
their own lunch. The pro
gram is strictly paddle raf
ting with the intention of
getting maximum involve
ment from each class
member. Solin can be con
tacted at 687-5329.
For individuals looking
for a quick adrenaline fix —
and who don't want to be
bothered with attending
meetings and classroom
sessions — the best route is
to contact a commercial
outfitter.
Galand Haas, a Univer
sity graduate in parks and
recreation, heads Nor
thwest Whitewater Excur
sions. Haas offers a one day
paddle raft trip package
down the Mc Kenzie for $25.
For $10 extra you can travel
effortlessly in a driftboat.
Thrillseekers challenging
the McKenzie's 40-degree
water will be provided
transportation to the river,
lunch, and about seven
hours of floating fun. For
more information on Nor
thwest Whitewater Excur
sions, call 342-1222.
Kayaking is another river
sport, although it demands
a greater skill level than raf
ting. River guides stress
that no one should attempt
to kayak without some
instruction.
Cascade Outfitters in Spr
ingfield (747-2272), the
Eugene Parks and Recrea
tion Department, and the
Outdoor Program all have
different programs aimed
at the potential kayaker.
If you have your own raft
or kayak, there are cheaper
whitewater alternatives, in
cluding a float from Island
Park in Springfield to Alton
Baker Park in Eugene.
But don't be lulled into
complacency by the
quietness of the Willamette
River, which claims at least
one life annually from
among the ranks of the
rafters, tubers and swim
mers passing through the
spillways directly northeast
of Eugene and the rapids
underneath the various
footbridges that span the
river.
For safety's sake, stay to
the far right of the
spillways, avoiding them
completely.
Also, keep in mind that
numerous stolen bicycles
lie across the floor of the
Willamette underneath the
footbridge, and that they
pose a potential hazard for
swimmers and rafters toss
ed out of their craft.
A trip from Island Park to
Alton Baker Park takes ap
proximately three hours. If
you're in doubt about the
distance, the Willamette
River Mileage Guide is
available for free from the
Eugene Parks and Recrea
tion Department.
If you're going to be
whitewater rafting this spr
ing or summer, wear a life
jacket and go with so
meone experienced.
; ' - ■ V' :
The University Outdoor Program offers a raft co-op service that helps rafting enthusiasts get together to indulge in whitewater rafting.