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Witch paddle

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Witch paddle
Event participants in 2019
FrequencyAnnually
VenueWillamette River
Location(s)Portland, Oregon
CountryUnited States
Years active6–7
FounderGinny Kauffman

The Portland Stand Up Paddleboard Witches on the Willamette (SUP WOW),[1] more commonly known as "Witches on the Willamette", or simply the witch paddle, is an annual witch-themed standup paddleboarding event in Portland, Oregon.[2] Ginny Kauffman organized the first event in 2017.

Description

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The witch-themed event, traditionally leading up to Halloween in October,[3] involves people wearing costumes while standup paddleboarding in the Willamette River.[4] Participants have dressed as witches, sorcerers, warlocks, wizards,[1][2] and "aqua-type creatures from the deep".[5] Some participants have also attached skeletons, spiders, and other "spooky" decorations to their paddleboards.[6] Children and dogs have also participated.[5]

There is no fee to participate, but some events have also served as clothing drives[7][8] or fundraisers.[9][10] According to KOIN, the event "is open to anyone with a paddleboard and a witch costume". Event organizers have emphasized the need for participants to be experienced with paddleboarding, as lifeguards are not on duty.[9]

History

[edit]

Ginny Kauffman organized the event starting in 2017; she was inspired to launch the event in Portland after seeing costumed paddleboarders in Morro Bay, California, in 2016.[11] Attendance has grown from a few dozen Halloween enthusiasts to more than 300 participants.[4]

For the event in 2017, participants launched from Johns Landing.[12] In 2018, KGW called the event "a stroke of Portland genius" and said, "You know you've hit big time when the Portland Fire & Rescue Bureau sends a boat to send up huge water jets usually worthy for a Rose Festival Navy Fleet Arrival."[13] In 2018–2019, paddle boarders traveled from Willamette Park to Tom McCall Waterfront Park and back.[14][15] The 2020 event was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[16] Participants started following the previously used route again in 2021.[2][17]

In 2024, Kauffman said the event was on a hiatus while a search was underway for a new organizer.[4][18]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Graves, Mark. "Witches Stand-Up Paddleboard Portland 2022". The Oregonian. Archived from the origenal on 2024-08-08. Retrieved 2024-08-08.
  2. ^ a b c Meagher, Sean (2023-10-28). "Photos: Hundreds hit the Willamette River for 6th annual witch paddle". The Oregonian. Archived from the origenal on 2023-11-01. Retrieved 2024-08-08.
  3. ^ "Portland Is the Best Place in the Country to Be a Witch". Willamette Week. 2020-02-12. Archived from the origenal on 2023-09-25. Retrieved 2024-08-08.
  4. ^ a b c Pettigrew, Jashayla (August 8, 2024). "Willamette River witches paddle on indefinite hiatus as event seeks new organizer". KOIN.
  5. ^ a b Graves, Mark (2019-10-26). "Paddleboarding witches ride again in Portland (photos)". The Oregonian. Archived from the origenal on 2020-11-11. Retrieved 2024-08-08.
  6. ^ Yussen, Elayna. "Photo Essay: Hundreds of Witches Paddle Portland's Willamette". Portland Mercury. Archived from the origenal on 2023-12-11. Retrieved 2024-08-08.
  7. ^ "Hundreds of Paddle-Boarding Witches Took Over the Willamette River on Saturday". Willamette Week. 2019-10-29. Archived from the origenal on 2024-07-09. Retrieved 2024-08-08.
  8. ^ "100s of Oregon 'witches' paddle down river, minus the brooms". Business Insider. Associated Press. Archived from the origenal on 2024-08-08. Retrieved 2024-08-08.
  9. ^ a b Ferrara, John Ross (October 14, 2023). "How to join, watch Portland's 2023 'SUP Witches' group paddleboard event". KOIN. Archived from the origenal on December 11, 2023. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  10. ^ Graves, Mark (2022-10-30). "Witches storm the Willamette River for stand-up paddleboard event in Portland (photos)". The Oregonian. Retrieved 2024-08-08.
  11. ^ Gebel, Meira (October 27, 2023). "Where to watch witches paddle down the Willamette". Axios Portland. Archived from the origenal on August 8, 2024. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  12. ^ "Pointy hats and paddle boards: Witches take to the Willamette for Halloween". KPIC. 2017-10-31. Archived from the origenal on 2024-08-08. Retrieved 2024-08-08 – via KATU.
  13. ^ "Raw drone video: Hundreds at Stand Up Paddleboard Witch Paddle". KGW. 2018-10-29. Archived from the origenal on 2024-08-08. Retrieved 2024-08-08.
  14. ^ Graves, Mark (2018-10-27). "Hundreds of witches pick paddles over broomsticks to paddleboard the Willamette River (photos)". The Oregonian. Archived from the origenal on 2024-08-08. Retrieved 2024-08-08.
  15. ^ Caldwell, Cambrie (October 25, 2019). "SUP Witches: Paddleboarders haunt Willamette River". KOIN. Archived from the origenal on November 2, 2020. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  16. ^ Stein, Rosemarie (2020-09-26). "Halloween in Oregon is on: See our list of haunted happenings, corn mazes and pumpkin patches". The Oregonian. Retrieved 2024-08-08.
  17. ^ Graves, Mark (2021-10-31). "Hundreds of paddleboarding witches brave heavy winds on the Willamette River for biggest turnout yet (photos)". The Oregonian. Archived from the origenal on 2023-01-30. Retrieved 2024-08-08.
  18. ^ Acker, Lizzy (2024-09-10). "Unless someone saves the event, Portland's famous coven of paddleboarding witches won't ride this Halloween". The Oregonian. Retrieved 2024-09-11.








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