Posted by Cathy Hill

Portland is widely known as one of the best year-round outdoor playgrounds in the United States.  In the fall and winter, we're less than an hour away from snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and downhill skiing at or near Mt. Hood.  During spring, we enjoy the tail end of winter sports and head towards summer options, including hiking, biking, and anything on the water!

An old favorite of mine from my days in Hawaii is outrigger canoeing, which I describe to people as "what they did on Hawaii 5-0".  Outrigger canoeing is widely recognized in Polynesia as a sport which honors the water, in addition to enjoying it for fitness, camaraderie, and sportsmanship.  Here in the Northwest, the Pacific Northwest Outrigger Racing Canoe Association is a great resource for interested folks.  The association is comprised of clubs in Washington, Oregon, and Montana and offers opportunities for people of all fitness levels.  Before moving to Portland myself just about 3 years ago, I did some research to be sure I could continue this personal favorite, even on the river!   Enjoy the summer - there are so many options for enjoying the outdoors and for getting fit!