The Barometer Online

Issue date: 6/5/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Evan Miller Oregon State students battle rapids on the McKenzie river south of Corvallis while enjoying a weekend away from school.

Summer is almost here, and the warm weather is making a float on the river look more inviting every day.

"I love floating the river," said Kenny Tyler, a sophomore in construction engineering management. "I've been looking forward to it all year. It's the most relaxing thing there is to do."

Most tire stores sell inner tubes for a few dollars, and places like Bi-Mart sell rafts. If it is warm enough, a pool toy will even work.

The Dixon Outdoor Recreation Center offers rafts, kayaks and canoes.

The Willamette River flows right through Corvallis, and it is the best river to float for beginners or those who just want to cool off without going far. The best way to do it is to put in at Kiger Island Landing, south of town on Peoria Road, and take out at Michael's Landing, just north of the Harrison Bridge. This float takes about an hour and a half, depending on river height.

"It's a great time when the weather's nice," said Soren Kalbfleisch, a sophomore in anthropology, "I love to just float with my friends and enjoy the sunshine."

Another good float just a short drive away is the lower McKenzie River. Harvest Lane Landing to Armitage Park is an easy float with a small rapid, rope swings along the way and a bridge to jump off of at the end. Just watch out for the nude beach.

"My favorite thing to do in the summer is just chill on the McKenzie," said Brad Pabst, a sophomore in industrial manufacturing engineering. "Just bring some hotties along, and there's nothing better."

The Alsea River along Highway 34 to the west has some good sections as well.

Even on a slow-moving river like the Willamette or lower McKenzie, there are still hazards. People die every year on routes that are considered easy. In the early summer, the water can be so cold that even a good swimmer can be in trouble if they lose their tube and don't have a life jacket. Drinking on the river increases these dangers.

Anything other than a pool toy or single inner tube is considered a boat, so floaters need to have a life jacket for every person onboard to be legal. State police also remind boaters that there is a boating under the influence charge for those caught using motorized water vehicles under the influence of intoxicants, and BUIs are treated largely the same as DUIs.

Those who are bored at the thought of a relaxing float down a lazy river, an alternative is whitewater rafting. Oregon has some of the best whitewater rivers in the Northwest, including the upper McKenzie, Deschutes and Rogue rivers.

A quality raft or kayak is necessary for whitewater, and lifejackets are a must.

Anyone who doesn't have the equipment or expertise for whitewater rafting on their own can use one of the dozens of guide services available.

The Outdoor Recreation Center and Oregon Mountain Club both have whitewater trips planned for the fall. See them for more information.

Evan Miller, outdoors writer

sports@dailybarometer.com

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