Witch paddle
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| Witch paddle | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Event participants in 2019 | |
| Frequency | Annually |
| Venue | Willamette River |
| Location | Portland, Oregon |
| Country | United States |
| Years active | 7–8 |
| Founder | Ginny 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, United States.[2] Ginny Kauffman organized the first event in 2017.
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]