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We are a whitewater rafting club based in Spokane, Washington. Our goal is to promote whitewater boating, safety, and conservation. We’ve been around since 1989 – now over 30 GREAT years and counting – helping educate and unite river runners across the Inland Northwest.

Northwest Whitewater Association members are self-outfitted, private recreational boaters that share a common interest in floating the great rivers of the Pacific Northwest — and beyond. Membership is a mere $25 per year for families and kids 18 & under gets you involved in floats and events on local rivers, prizes and more.

Our membership has knowledge of whitewater boating and rivers that is among the BEST you’ll find — ANYWHERE. Name a river and likely someone’s “been there, done that” right side up or upside down and have some souvenir to display wen telling their story. Our people probably know when to go — and more importantly when NOT to.

We know shuttles, the good and bad and the UGLY!.

Want to learn how to run an oar-powered boat? You’ve found the people to help just tagging along with one of our many experienced river pilots.

From mild to wild...welcome to N.W. Whitewater Assoc.!

Looking for company after scoring that long-sought-after permit? Likely there’s someone you can find to be your co-pilot.

Trying to figure out what kind of equipment you need to safely enjoy the hundreds of rivers and creeks in our region? You’ve found the people who can provide solid advice.

Now you know just a little bit about who and what we are and do. Next step is yours to become a member, or at least stop by a meeting and see for yourself.

NWA meetings are generally held every 1st Wednesday of the month at Jack & Dan’s Tavern— voted one of America’s Top-10 sports bars by Sports Illustrated. J & D’s is at the corner of Hamilton and Sharp in Spokane.

NWA is now proud to be an affiliated club with American Whitewater, which promotes river access, safety and more. Learn more by visiting: northwestwhitewater.org or on Facebook at Northwest Whitewater.

Now you know just a little bit about who and what we are and do. Next step is yours to become a member, or at least stop by a meeting and see for yourself.

NWA is now proud to be an affiliated club with American Whitewater, which promotes river access, safety and more. Learn more by exploring this website or visit Facebook at Northwest Whitewater.

Here are more river-related

items that may be of interest?:

Watch this space for news and information on NWA and other activities and other whitewater news. Submit content to: nwarafterinfo@gmail.com.

Next NWA meeting is Nov. 6

We’re back “home” in the back room for the next meeting on NOV. 6, at Jack & Dans. To RSVP or for questions contact Paul text/phone (509) 220-8018 or email.

Visit the Spokane River Water Trail

The Spokane River Forum has formulated mile-by-mile information on the Spokane River which allows you to explore this amazing waterway. Learn more by CLICKING HERE.

Canoes & kayaks anyone?

If inflatable boating is not your passion, be sure to check out the Spokane Canoe & Kayak Club by CLICKING HERE.

Other river info:

Visit the Whitewater Guide Book for interesting news and info on our sport. CLICK HERE.

Check out the Whitewater Guide Book

Join American Whitewater

Learn more about the American Whitewater Affiliation who fight for river access. CLICK HERE.

Events & activities:

Islands Trailhead complete with assist from West Valley City School students

Thank you to the students from West Valley City School! Their kid power completed native planting and supported river clean-up at Islands Trailhead, located about half-a-mile downstream of Plante’s Ferry and directly below Arbor Crest in Spokane Valley.

A nice early shower softened the ground, then nature provided an assist with a break in the rain just as the students arrived. Said Nick Hamm, their teacher, “Part of our school mission is to have students go out into the community and work with experts. We want them to tie what they’re learning in the classroom to helping meet real world needs in the community.”

After 3 years of planning and permitting, the restoration of Islands Trailhead began in August. “A huge thank you to Kaiser Aluminum,” said Forum Executive Director Happy Avery. “As part of mitigation related to a project at their Trentwood plant upstream, they provided design, engineering and permit support. They then shared the $90,000 cost of construction with the Forum.

It’s a great example of working together and leveraging resources to benefit the community.”The Forum first partnered with the Spokane Conservation District in 2016 to create water trail access and restoration at Islands, introducing the first “slide system” built on the Spokane River.

Permitting constraints, however, did not support construction below the high-water line. Subsequent erosion made getting from the bottom of the slide to the river very difficult, particularly during summer low-flows.Our 2024 restoration efforts remedied the problem with design, permitting and construction below the high-water mark.

Work included repairs to the slide and staircase, adding stone steps at the bottom of the staircase, placing a “boulder cluster” just upstream to slow high water flows and thus reduce erosion, and planting willows to support refuge for trout.

The plantings by students were on the upland bank and ridge where equipment had disturbed the area.

Said Avery, “Islands is special because during summer it provides a lovely, easy flat-water paddle to Boulder Beach about 4 miles downstream. And restoring the riparian and upland areas has really improved the environment and look of the area for the thousands of people enjoying this section of the Centennial Trail.”

La Niña this winter? There have been some important changes

News:

We’ve been expecting a La Niña to form and influence our winter weather in Michigan and across the U.S. There are some significant changes to the development of La Niña compared to forecasts over the past few months.Read more HERE .

City School students at Islands Trailhead project.

Spokane River cleanup nets 4,320 lbs. of trash!

On Sept. 14, more than 200 people came out for Spokane River Cleanup at High Bridge Park in downtown Spokane and Upriver in the Valley from Mirabeau Park to Harvard Road. Check out the photo album to see some of the 4,320 lbs. collected from the river.Individuals, families, corporations, recreational and nonprofit groups as well as government agencies that care all turned out to different locations up and down the river. A few shout-outs to:
Northwest Whitewater Association and Kaiser Aluminum for leading operations at Harvard Road and Sullivan Park.
Spokane Riverkeeper for anchoring Barker Road with a cadre of volunteers and leading efforts to get all Valley trash to the transfer stations for proper disposal.
The City of Spokane Valley’s Eric Robison for leading a fantastic effort at Trent Bridge.
The Lands Council for energizing a huge crowd at High Bridge Park and coordinating downtown cleanup.

A sampling of the collection as seen at Mirabeau.