Join us for the first in-person Paddle Team Training since 2024!
We are excited to welcome you to our 2026 Paddle Team in-person training. This training will be held in person and is required for all new Paddle Team volunteers and returning volunteer from seasons 2024 and older. This is an optional training for anyone who volunteered in the 2025 season. To attend this training, you must have attended the online webinar ( a recorded version of the webinar will be made available to watch if you could not attend the online webinar). You must also be in the process of submitting your background check form and (coming soon) the new Volunteer Handbook.
As a reminder, previous paddling experience is not necessary. By the end of the training, all participants will walk away with knowledge of how to load/unload boats, assemble bimarans, how to give a safety talk, radio protocols, how to fit life vests, how to get in/out of canoes, and more! This is all a group effort, so if your not sure you can lift or carry boats don’t worry you wont be doing it alone. We always work in buddy pairs, and if that still doesn’t work for you there’s always something else that you can support!
Getting there: Meet us at the Council office! Limited Free parking is available at Whitaker Ponds . Public transportation is encouraged!
Bus #75 stops at NE 47th Ave and Columbia Blvd. Walk north on NE 47th Ave about 0.25 miles, and Whitaker Ponds Nature Park will be on your right. Restrooms will be available throughout the training.
What to bring: Come dressed and prepared for the weather. We will be training rain or shine, and outside for the entirety of the training. Pack along water, or your favorite drink, an extra set of clothes in case you take an unintended swim from a boat, and any extra snacks that you might want.
Columbia Slough Watershed Council will be providing: morning coffee, lunch and soda/soda water throughout the day. For the ~1 hour that we will be spending on water, we will be using Columbia Slough Watershed Council boats and PFDs. If you prefer to bring your own PFD, you are welcome to, however, please do not bring your own boat.
If you plan to attend, you must register by the end of day April 30th!