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How about a brisk winter swim in the Willamette River in the name of love?
The fourth annual Valentine’s Dip swim hosted by the nonprofit river advocacy group Human Access Project takes place Sunday, Jan. 26, at the Willamette Park Boat Ramp. Slightly ahead of the official Day of Love, this year’s cool swim marks 365 days straight of no combined sewer overflow into the Willamette River (the record is 498 days).
The improvement comes from the city of Portland’s Big Pipe Project completed in 2011. The 20-year, $1.4 billion dollar endeavor has cut CSOs in the Willamette down by 94%, and 99%t in the Columbia Slough. Prior to the pipe, CSOs averaged 52 to 57 per year. In 2021, there were five.
The swim, which HAP projects to attract up to 200 brave swimmers, is also meant “to give the river a hug” according to a press release, and to show the safety of cold dipping as the river currently sits in the 40-to-50-degree range.
“At 4,000 acres, the Willamette River is Portland’s second-largest open space and natural area,” said Willie Levenson, HAP’s “Ringleader” in a press statement. “The Willamette River is the heart of our city’s blue space. I must admit in the spirit of Valentine’s I find our Big Pipe and green infrastructure beautiful.”
The event opens to the public at 1 pm, and the group plunge will take place at 1:35 pm. And for those on the fence about the freezing endeavor, there will be two wood-fired saunas available, including a floating boat sauna right on the river.
The event is free, with a $10 to $15 suggested donation.
According to a press release, City Councilors Olivia Clark and Steve Novick will be present, along with state Reps. Rob Nosse and Thuy Tran and Sen. Kathleen Taylor. Will they be taking the chilly plunge? Better question—will you?