Tualatin Riverkeepers (TRK) is a community-based nonprofit working to protect, restore, and enjoy the Tualatin River watershed by promoting environmental stewardship, and we LOVE when our community volunteers with us! Become part of the team that accompanies each paddle trip as a "safety boat" and assist with other aspects of getting the group on and off the water.
Welcome to our Paddle Team Volunteer training series! As a volunteer with our River Experiences program, you will to inspire others to enjoy the recreational and educational opportunities that the Tualatin River provides. Through your own personal experiences and the training we provide, become an ambassador for our mission to protect, restore, and enjoy the Tualatin River. TRK is committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and positive atmosphere for our volunteers.
Learn how to safely use our trailers, equipment, boats, and paddling gear; how to load/unload boats, present a safety talk, be safe on the water, fit life vests, enter and exit boats, assemble bimarans, and more! We will also go over trip procedures and responsibilities that are required on each outing so you can be safe, confident, and have a thorough understanding of the situations you may encounter as a Paddle Team Volunteer. If you've volunteered with us before, we recommend that you attend this session to refresh your skills.
We will NOT paddle, but we will be outdoors.
What to bring: Come dressed in warm clothes/shoes and be prepared for the weather. We will be training rain or shine, and outside for the entirety of the training. Bring water, maybe a thermos of something warm to drink.
To become a Paddle Team Member, attend our training sessions, accompany a paddle trip, and volunteer for three paddle trips or events over the subsequent year. The first training session is virtual, the rest are in person.
Paddle Team Volunteer Training - Introduction
Paddle Team Volunteer Training - Equipment and Procedures (you are here)
Paddle Team Volunteer Training - Water Safety & Rescue
Basic First Aid, CPR, and Safety Training
Please contact our River Experiences Manager, Mark Fitzsimons, at mark@tualatinriverkeepers.org if you have any questions about commitments and requirements beforehand.
