Ross Island Kayak Tour – Willamette River

Tours offered at 10:00 am, 2:00 pm and 6:00 pm Sunset Tours. First-time kayakers and experienced paddlers alike will enjoy a unique perspective of Portland on this guided tour circumnavigating Ross Island on the Willamette River. We’ll paddle past an impressive blue heron rookery and possibly see bald eagles and osprey as we glide by Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge. There is an unparalleled view of Portland’s skyline on our way back to the dock.

Essential Kayaking Class – Willamette River

Classes run every weekend. An in-depth introduction to basic strokes, boat control, and the fundamental elements of kayaking. This class will help you feel comfortable paddling a kayak, and give you a sound foundation as you continue to develop paddling skills. View our Calendar for scheduled dates

We are currently available by appointment only for retail and rentals. Please call or email before coming down to the shop, as we are doing our best to maintain distance between customers. We look forward to resuming our guided kayak tours and on-water classes as soon as it is deemed safe to do so.

Moonlight Paddle – Saturday July 13th and Sunday July 14th, 7:30 – 10:00. Cost $49
Reservations are required.
Gliding silently along the river under a moonlight glow is an experience you’ll not soon forget. Beginners welcome!

Nigel Foster and Kristin Nelson will visit Portland Kayak Company to teach two fantastic kayaking clinics on May 19 and 20, 2018.  We are pleased to host these paddling clinics with one of the world’s most innovative instructors. Nigel Foster’s contributions to kayaking are evident in his boat designs, writings, expeditions, instructional DVD series, gear design, slide presentations and his continued eagerness to share all that he has learned. reserve early!

These popular clinics will help you take boat control to a new level!  Learn to maneuver your kayak with precision and grace while you increase efficiency in your paddling style.

Where: our backyard waters on the Willamette River in Portland.

Learn more about Nigel Foster at www.nigelkayaks.com and www.nigelfosterdesigns.com

Directional Control
10:00-4:00  $165
Saturday May 19, 2018

Mastering the Forward Stroke
10:00-3:00  $150
Sunday May 20, 2018

February 10, 2018 5:00-7:30 pm. Cost $59 Includes Nigel Foster’s latest book The Art of Kayaking. Please call to reserve your spot. Space is limited!

Nigel Foster’s “Art of Kayaking” seminar will explore two different facets of sea kayaking: behind the scenes chart reading/interpretation, and into the scenes paddling technique.

Experience kayaking skills through Nigel Foster’s eyes with the help of his images from around the world. Learn how to interpret swell patterns and tidal current. Analyze beach profiles for easier launching and landing. See how different timing strategies for landing affect outcome. Focus on the small details in paddle blade alignment that offer a key to easy kayak control.

Nigel will also lead you through an introduction to charts and tides simplifying documents that may otherwise appear daunting. His aim is to offer you easy steps you can confidently follow.

Nigel’s latest book The Art of Kayaking contains a distillation of a lifetime of paddling experience. Here is an opportunity to have details illuminated by photographs and animated graphics to clarify the finer points and illustrate the nuances of kayaking. You will have an opportunity to ask Nigel to clarify any questions you have.

Ross Island Kayak Tour – Willamette River

First-time kayakers and experienced paddlers alike will enjoy a unique perspective of Portland on this guided tour circumnavigating Ross Island on the Willamette River. We’ll paddle past an impressive blue heron rookery and possibly see bald eagles and osprey as we glide by Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge. There is an unparalleled view of Portland’s skyline on our way back to the dock.

Ross Island Kayak Tour in Portland, Oregon. Offered daily at 10:00 and 2:00 – reservations are required.  First-time kayakers and experienced paddlers alike will enjoy a unique perspective of Portland on this guided tour circumnavigating Ross Island on the Willamette River. We’ll paddle past an impressive blue heron rookery and possibly see bald eagles and osprey as we glide by Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge. There is an unparalleled view of Portland’s skyline on our way back to the dock.  Tour is 2.5 to 3 hours (no experience required) Cost: $45 

Ross Island Sunset Tour – 2.5 to 3 hours (no experience required) Cost: $49
Offered daily, May through September, 6:00 pm reservations are required
Join us for a kayak tour around Ross Island as the sun sets over the Portland skyline.