Willamette River witches paddle on indefinite hiatus as event seeks new organizer

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Portland’s annual witch-themed paddle boarding bash may not return to Tom McCall Waterfront Park this upcoming spooky season.

Since 2017, Portland yoga instructor Ginny Kauffman has organized the event that brings crowds of paddle boarders in witch costumes to the Willamette River.

According to a post shared in the Stand Up Paddleboard Witches Facebook group, the event has unexpectedly grown from a small get-together for Halloween enthusiasts to a major festivity with more than 300 attendees.

The organizer is now hoping a professional organization can take over.

“Given the expected number of participants this year as well recent tragic events, and after speaking with the Coast Guard (who understandably have safety concerns about the event), it has become clear that I can no longer, and should no longer, on my own, organize this event on an informal and volunteer basis as I have been,” Kauffman wrote.

In recent years, she created an informative website for the event in hopes of maintaining participant safety. But the organizer stated many attendees have failed to show up with the proper equipment, which includes personal flotation devices, leashes and whistles. She added that other attendees are “obviously not experienced paddlers” — raising concerns for the event with no on-duty lifeguards.

Kauffman said she is researching local companies with liability insurance that could spearhead the event and enforce safety regulations. In an email, she told KOIN 6 she would still be “more than happy to play a role still in the management or organization.”

For those who are saddened by SUP Witches’ hiatus, Kauffman reminded people of another paddle boarding event scheduled on Saturday, Oct. 5 at Estacada Lake. She encouraged Portlanders to consider planning a smaller event with friends.

Portland’s World Naked Bike Ride will also take a hiatus this year due to planning challenges.