Willamette Riverkeeper is the Advocate for the River of Portland the Willamette.  Popina Swim Wear is proud to be a corporate partner of Willamette Riverkeeper and looks forward to continued work to clean up the Willamette so one day it will be a safe place for people of PDX to go swimming.

Check out the Willamette Riverkeeper web site to see the different programs they are working on including Habitat Restoration and the grand daddy of clean ups the Portland Superfund designation - how embarrassing right?  Let’s clean up our River Now! 

Is it so crazy to think that the people of Portland should have a river within city limits to go swimming?  The Sandy River is great for tubing and swimming, so is the Clackamas River, but both of these Rivers are a 25+ minute drive from downtown Portland.  Consider the great atmosphere on the River and getting out of the River after tubing or swimming at a safe spot like the Sandy or the Clack.  Now imagine going for a float, maybe putting in at Sellwood or Willamette Park and getting out downtown at the Salmon Springs Fountain.  Damn Straight, that would be fun.

For the last couple of years I have parparticipated in my favorite Portland event the Portland Challenge where Jay Boss Rubin leads a group of River Lovers on a swim across the Willamette.  When I have told people about the event I get disproportionate share of “you are crazy”, “that is disgusting”, etc.  The simple powerful act to bring attention to the idea that we should not be crazy to think that swimming in the Willamette is possible is amazing and I really hope that Jay Boss Rubin kicks this event up again next year! 

At Popina you can become a member of Willamette Riverkeeper by simply adding a membership to your purchase.  But do not wait, become a basic member today for $35 and help be a part of rescuing the Willamette and reclaiming it as a recreational gem for our city.