PORPA ready to kick off rowing season

PRIEST RIVER — The Pend Oreille Rowing and Paddling Association, a club for rowing and other non-motorized water sports, is gearing up for the 2024 season and welcomes the community to take part in a maintenance and team building weekend set for June 8-9 at 324 Rivers End Dr. in Priest River.

PORPA members will gather to prepare and inspect boats/equipment starting June 8 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Those interested will be able to visit with long time members and learn more about boats, rowing, youth and adult programs. PORPA also offers a free Introduction to Rowing/Learn to Row program. For more information contact Secretary@PORPA.org.

10th Anniversary 

PORPA will celebrate the inaugural row, which happened July 13, 2014, from Thama Shores to Riley Creek in Laclede. Riley Creek remained as a summer home base for the first few years then PORPA moved to the “Mudhole” in Priest River. On Saturday, July 13, 2024 rowers will gather, launch boats and row then later celebrate with food and refreshments.

2023 Family Day a success

In 2023, PORPA added four new rowers to the world, the Merrill family, Caroline, Clint, Hannah and Max along with Max’s friend Kohta, who began with the on-land session of Introduction to Rowing and then proceeded to get on the water in PORPA’s stable boats right away. All of the new rowers practiced the sequences learned on the rowing machine just an hour earlier and managed to get in some good strokes. Families with kids 12 and older are encouraged to try rowing as a family event, contact Secretary@PORPA.org to find out more. 

Warren Foersch Award 

WFA is a club recognition award to a member whose efforts greatly benefit the organization through improvement of personal technique or performance while adding value to the sport of rowing. The 2023 recipient was Doug Coats. Coats has been involved in human-powered water sports (sea-kayaking, dragon boats) for several years and rowed on an erg for more than 30 years. Four years ago, he finally got on a single and was hooked. As a PORPA member, Coats has participated in many rowing sessions and entered the PORPA Sprints with multiple crafts. He has worked very hard to improve his sculling and sweeping technique. PORPA members said they are grateful for all the volunteer hours Coats has contributed.

PORPA Sprints

The annual PORPA Sprints will be held at Priest River Recreation Area (Mudhole) on Saturday, Aug. 3. The event is a day of non-motorized fun races for stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, canoes, rowing shells, water bikes, and even boats made of cardboard. All ages and abilities are welcome. PORPA encourages at least 10-20 additional youth to participate in 2024. Donations are welcome and help cover the costs for free youth registrations. More information is available at www.PORPA.org for more information.