Building community on the water
The Lower Columbia Canoe Club has four key goals.
Promote river safety
Help members improve paddling skills
Protect and preserve NW rivers
Foster a strong paddling community within the club and in league with other paddling organizations
The club was initially formed as the Lower Columbia Canoe Club (LCCC) in the late 1960s by a small group of Portland-area flat water canoeists. As new members joined with interests in moving water and whitewater paddling, the membership grew to include as many kayakers as canoeists, and more challenging paddling trips started to appear on the schedule. A small but growing number of members paddle SUPs.
Today, the LCCC’s emphasis on safety, skill development and river conservation remains unchanged. Going forward, as we honor our history and early commitment to fostering a strong paddling community, expect the Lower Columbia Canoe Club to write a new chapter of even greater inclusivity.
Lower Columbia
The Columbia is the great river of the American West. The fourth largest river in North America, the Columbia is exceeded in water volume only by the Mississippi, St. Lawrence, and Mackenzie Rivers. Its source is in British Columbia, on the west slope of the Canadian Rockies. Between there and where it enters the Pacific Ocean, the Columbia flows 1,268 miles, winds through four mountain ranges, descends 2,657 feet, drains 257,993 square miles, generates more hydroelectric power than any other waterway in North America, and historically has supported more salmon than just about any other North American river. The Lower Columbia generally refers to the river's final 196-mile (315-kilometer) run from the western edge of the Columbia Plateau to the Pacific Ocean.
As it relates to the club, the Lower Columbia moniker has at times caused some confusion. If it is easier for you, just think of us as a Portland paddling club. Most of our members live in or near Portland, Oregon.
The Lower Columbia Canoe Club paddles rivers near the traditional village sites of the Multnomah, Wasco, Cowlitz, Kathlamet, Clackamas, Bands of Chinook, Tualatin, Kalapuya, Molalla, and many other tribes. We thank these original caretakers and use their example of respect and care for these richly diverse environments as our guide.
Board of Directors
The Lower Columbia Canoe Club’s board is currently made up of the individuals listed below. Board members typically serve two-year terms.
President: Bruce Eicher
Vice President: Mark Connell
Clinics Chair: Monica Potter
Registrar: Molly Vogt
Secretary: Greg Kimsey
Website Administrator: Savonn Wyland
Treasurer: Travis Cook
Safety Chair: Chris Meinke
Newsletter Editor: Teresa Gryder
Conservation and Canoe Chair: Will Gehr
Day Trips Co-Chair: Dave Johnson
Day Trips Co-Chair + Diversify Whitewater Liaison: Courtney Patterson
You can reach members of the board via email at lowercolumbiacanoeclub@gmail.com.
Affiliations
The LCCC is an American Whitewater Affiliate Club.
Oregon is blessed with three paddling clubs - the Lower Columbia Canoe Club, the Oregon Kayak and Canoe Club (OKCC) and the Willamette Kayak and Canoe Club (WKCC).