The Vaåg 174, and the Vitäl 166 are the impressive product of rigorous design, extensive research and testing.  Expect superb handling from this stable, versatile kayak that’s also the lightest in its category. These boats are quite good lookers and are modeled after some of the best British-style sea kayaks.  These boats are made in Quebec Canada under licence with Boreal Designs.  $3,499.99

Our Crew at the Paddle Sports Center can now get you set up with the newly required Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Permit. And if you have questions about the program, or wondering what exactly you need, we are here to help. Cost is $7. Stop by and we'll help you protect Oregon's waterways. And avoid a big ticket!

You can also find a lot of information on the Oregon State Marine Board's website. Tons of great info there.

We were all teed up to buy the building on Stark St, but found some structural and environmental challenges. Because these issues take time to resolve, it made sense for us to vacate the space while the issues are being handled.

We are now open and ready to serve you at the new space although we may still be hanging product for the first few weeks. So come see our newest store and thanks for your support. Who knows what the future holds with the new building or the old…it’s always an adventure at Next Adventure!

See Pics...

The latest and greatest from Stohlquist... The Descent ($199.95) is the latest swift-water rescue vest based on the new platform shared by these two PFD.  We have both of these PFD in full size runs, the Descent in Red and Mango and the Rocker ($129.95 ) in Black and Mango.  You will be seeing these all over the local rivers soon, including on a few of your favorite Next Adventure employees!  See you on the water.....

Be sure to reserve your special edition (only 100 made) Astral Green Jacket today.  We will have a very limited stock of these sweet custom made in the USA vests available in December.  You can reserve yours today for $230.00 at the Next Adventure Paddlesports Center.

Last winter, Next Adventure's Luke Spencer kayaked over 70 ft Outlet Falls in Washington State.  The stunning photo of his decent, taken by Jed Weingarten, quickly circulated throughout the country and across the globe in magazines like Kayak Sessions, Outdoor and even National Geographic.  When NBC's Today show caught wind of Luke's hefty plunge, they tracked him down and invited him out to NYC for an interview.

Check out pics from the trip and get some more of the details on our staff blog.  Read more about Outlet Falls at PDX River Explorers.

Instruction and Guiding by Northwest River Guides

Come join NRG's certified kayak instructors for a fun and educational 2.5-hour class on the Willamette River. Try out a stable recreational kayak from Next Adventure as we paddle to Ross Island. This is an excellent chance to test out different equipment and get professional feedback before you buy. In our Intro-To-Kayaking class you will learn basic kayak nomenclature and proper stroke techniques, as well as get a chance to sneak up on some unsuspecting great blue herons, and ospreys. Ross Island hosts refuge to a large number of wildlife, so don't forget to bring your binoculars. By the end of the class, you will be equipped with the knowledge to safely paddle recreational or sea kayaks on your own adventures. Check out some pictures from past trips. Sign up now online!

No prior experience is necessary. All equipment included. $40 per person. Minimum age 14 Trips begin Sunday mornings at 9 am.

What do you need to bring? Dress appropriately for the weather. A pair of shoes that can get wet makes launching the kayak an easier task. A bottle of water and a light snack are nice.

Will you flip over and get wet? Likely not but it is a remote possibility. We recommend that you wear clothes that won’t get ruined if they get wet and leave your camera in the car. One of your guides will have a camera along and will send you photos at no additional cost.

Directions to Sellwood Riverfront Park (from Next Adventure) 5.5 mi – about 13 mins

1. Turn left at SE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd/OR-99e Continue to follow OR-99e 4.1 mi
2. Slight right at SE Tacoma St 0.2 mi
3. Turn right to stay on SE Tacoma St 0.9 mi
4. Turn right at SE 6th Ave 262 ft
5. Turn left at SE Spokane St 476 ft
6. Turn right at Oaks Park Way Destination will be on the left

IMPORTANT: You must register prior to this trip. Please ask an NA sales associate for information on registering. Call (503) 233-0706 or come see us at the shop.

Thanks to all of the volunteers in the community that make this event possible....

Upper Clackamas Whitewater Festival '09 from Ginnette on Vimeo.

The Northwest Creeking Competition, April 11th & 12th flooded the East Fork of the Lewis River with whitewater boaters from all over the region.

Host to several class IV rapids and a 15ft + waterfall, this beautiful stretch of the E.F. Lewis River is a whitewater lovers jungle gym. 

With several categories including Kayaks, Rafts, Inflatable Kayaks, Canoes and even River Boards, the Northwest Creeking Competition has made its mark in a growing series of events establishing standards and raising the bar in whitewater competition. (see post @ pdxriverexplorers.blogspot.com "West Coast Whitewater Racing Series")

Thanks to Next Adventure for sponsoring this great event and to the many sponsors who donated gear and support.  Special thanks to Mike and Brenda Olsen who fed hungry hoards of boaters and hosted the party and camping on thier beautiful riverside property.

Interested in more details? Check out the article in the Columbian "Kayakers Treat Crowd to Ticks" and stay tuned for updates at www.northwestcreekcomp.org.

After 11 years of service to the local community, a growing selection of Next Adventure's gear is now available for purchase online.

Link to our online store, where the deals you've come to expect from Next Adventure can be yours with just the click of a button.

Next Adventure is excited to bring Boreal Design kayaks on board. The Quebec-based boat builder offer high-end touring kayaks in both plastic and composite.

We now carry three models: The versatile Epsilon series, sporty Ellsmere, and Greenland-style Baffin model. Boreal Design boats are well crafted and designed for every level of touring paddler seeking performance.

These boats are begging to take you on an oceanic trek, so come check them out.

The highly anticipated GreenJacket from Astral has arrived at Next Adventure. This is a pull over design loaded with lots of great features and built to last.

- Foam Techtonics allow outer front panel to move with your upper body as the inner panel stays in place - Separate front Panels make for a great fit for both men and women - Large Stow Pocket that can hold Astral's custom throw ropes or other stow-ables - Quick Release Rescuer's Harness - True Torso Length adjustment - Enhanced protection for back and ribs - Quick Access knife tab

Lunch Video Magazine's latest, The Rockies: Are you gonna eat that? Now available at Next for only $17.99. Check out the trailer...

Photo courtesy of Alan Dyck:
Luke Spencer takes flight.

"The 25th Annual Upper Clackamas Whitewater Festival was a huge success with record setting water levels, crowds and temperatures! Saturday's events kicked off with the Clackacraft Drift boat Slalom and continued with raft, hard shell kayak, cataraft and even river boards. The afternoon events wrapped up with the highly anticipated return of the Big Air Ramp Competition with kayakers hurling themselves through the air to showcase the biggest kayak aerial moves possible. Evening festivities kept the festival alive late into the night with Next Adventure's free BBQ, CRG's movie premiere of "Northwest Video Scrapbook", and a great band to dance into the night. Thirsty festival goers were not disappointed as Hopworks Brewery was on tap to quench their thirst! Sunday morning brought more sun and even more water. The events got started with the Shilo Inn's Armed Forces race and the highly competitive Next Adventure Boater X with kayakers racing head-to-head to see who crosses the finish line first. The Sotar West Coast Championship Series wrapped up the event with the competitors competing for a chance to head to the Nationals taking place in Idaho in a couple of weeks. All in all we couldn't have asked for anything more and we look forward to seeing everyone at next years Upper Clackamas Whitewater fest.

-Luke Spencer (competitor, NA kayak guru)

Check back for more photos and updates...
Upper Clackamas Whitewater Festival- official site

We have a lot of updates from our kayak department as we launch into the wet season. Sure it's a little chilly, but the water is pumping and we have to gear to help you stay comfy!

Here's a secret to better time on whitewater in the cold- plug those holes in your head! We're well stocked in Doc's Pro-Plug ear plugs in all sizes. You'll be more comfortable and also avoid dreaded surfer's ear (honestly, who wants a doctor to chisel their skull?)!

While we're a little cramped in the kayak department, we're still cramming in new boats. From Delta Kayaks we have the Delta 12.10 and Delta 17. These thermoplastic boats are nearly as light as a composite but much more affordable. Definitely check these out!

The latest LVM (Lunch Video Magazine) has arrived! Number 24, poetically titled "Does a Fat Dog Fart When You Kick It?", can be yours for just $17.95. Incredibally entertaining while also informative!

The 2007 PDX Kayaker Film festival was another great success! With great video entries, a solid judging panel (a.k.a. the Academy), and support from the community it was a good time for all. The proceeds reached over $1400 dollars which was donated to American Whitewater. A big shout out to the sponsors who donated gear and everyone who bought tickets! The all ages show was also a success and thanks to all of you who attended. With the top three films; "New Line", "Good Lines", and "The Middle White Salmon" battling it out for the top spot it was Thereon Jordan’s "Good Lines" that won the $350 purse prize. All the videos will be on Jason Rackley’s web page www.oregonkayaking .net for people to view. A special thanks to Bliss Stick kayaks for donating the grand prize in the raffle, which was a Bliss Stick boat of choice! Thanks again to the PDX Kayaker community for their continued support of the Film Festival and everyone else that made this year’s event better than ever!

Check out pics from the festival...

Thanks to all who came out for the 5th Annual Down the River Clackamas River Cleanup! Folks who participated spent a beautiful, sunny afternoon in oar boats, and paddling rafts and kayaks to clean up the river between Barton and Clackamet Park, a popular stretch along the Clackamas River. In previous years, close to 300 volunteers have pulled THOUSANDS of pounds of trash and recylables from the river- everything from couches to carpet, flip flops to fenders....

Scuba divers were on hand to dig up buried treasure- shoulder high piles of sunken bottles, and anything else that can't be pulled from the surface.

What a great way to spend the day, caring for a river that provides us with fish to eat, water to drink, and miles and miles of recreational space.

An extra special thanks to the behind the scenes folks who coordinated the day, as well as to everyone who donated time, energy, food, and drink to the event! Though we'd love to say the cleanup is over, the cleanup and maintainence of our natural resources is nowhere near done. See you on the river! (see pictures)

Take a look at what's new in Kayaking:

The Voz Evolution Helmet has a yellow and black ABS shell, is multi impact, has an easy to fit adjustable system, removable ear covers, and comes in 3 sizes - just $99.99.

Voz Wetpack Backpack for wet or dry storage.  It's ultra durable, has an inner helmet holder, a dry pocket, and mesh vents. It'll carry anything!

We've now got Caviness canoe and kayak paddles from $19.99-$37.99

Also, Accent Diamond HE series with Edge and Black Pearl blade styles - bent shaft with adjustable feather, carbon blades and shaft. The "HE" stands for "Helium" - these paddles are so light you will have to tie them down!

Plus we've got Fluid kayaks back in stock! Solos and Spices just in, now we've also got the small Spice. Come check 'em out!

We've got 2 new boat packages available featuring Tempest 165 and Tempest 170 kayaks. Each package includes: Accent FX paddle, Stohlquist Drifter or Wedge PFD, and Seals Coastal Tour 1.2 sprayskirt. Save over $500 compared to suggested retail prices. Get the 165 package for $1400.00, and the 170 package for just $1450.00.

Immersion Research and Level 6 lifestyle apparel and technical wear: women's shorts and t-shirts (neo-lined guide shorts) and hats -- just $24.99 - $74.99

Level 6 Expedition 3mm Farmer John and Jane wet suits -- just $99.99

Accent Touring Paddles - Diamond series carbon bent shaft with edge blade $399.99   -  Clearwater series carbon straight shaft fiberglass edgeblade $249.99

Hey paddlers of all styles and experience, we've got a new shipment of books and dvd's for you. For new boaters looking to improve technique or help your roll, to old salts who are looking for a great action video, we got you covered.

The new Hotel Charley II: River of Doubt is here for the crazy whitewater boaters, and for the seakayakers we have This is the Sea III.

Salamander now in stock: Helmet visors, paddle wax, paddle tip protectors, throw bags, and tow tethers.

Also, 2007 AT paddles in stock now: Ergo T4 E fiberglass and carbon, Xception carbon/carbon. Yes!

2007 SEven 2 Helio whitewater paddles in stock now! Redefining performance with bombproof construction. Check out this paddle at www.seven2.com

Brand new! IR Double D Dry Suits - rear entry, relief zip and fabric booties, just $699.99! These suits very slick. Definitely with stopping by just to check out. Super rugged reinforcements on the butt and knee, comfy neck cuff, and just cool all over!

Kayak Session Magazine is now carried at Next Adventure. This quarterly magazine has awesome pictures and great content you don't want to miss.

Also, Canoe & Kayak's (Whitewater) edition is out!

The rivers are swelling - get ready for the spring season with these great publications.

Now in stock - WRSI Helmet EPS (Ear Protection System) only $18.99 (only works with 2007 helmets).

Also new items from Pro-Tec: TwoFace Helmet with retention system just $69.99; B2 Wake Helmet for $49.99, and the B2 Wake Jr Helmet for $44.99.