Whitewater rafting on the Emerald Jewel
The North Umpqua River, the lifeblood of this community, flows from its source at Maidu Lake beneath Mt. Thielsen and winds its way to Winchester Bay, all the while staying within the confines of Douglas County, making it truly our river. For the last several decades, the king of that river has been Bill Blodgett.
As a river guide for 21 years, Blodgett has played many roles: guide, teacher, caretaker and adventurer. Every year he has guided clients safely through the North Umpqua’s class 3 and 4 rapids, waves and swirling cataracts, and for 19 years, some of those clients have been UCC students.
“I started teaching classes as early as 1994 as community education classes. Then, in 1997, I was invited to teach credit classes by Cheryl Yoder. I was stoked the college was so supportive of it,” Blodgett said.
Every spring, Blodgett teaches introductory and advanced whitewater classes in both kayaking and rafting, along with classes to help certify those interested in becoming professional river guides. While those classes come with a hefty price tag—sometimes over $200—what most students do not realize is the sacrifice Blodgett is making. The Umpqua National Forest under the U.S. Department of Agriculture only allots river guides a certain number of commercial trips each year. Each class Blodgett teaches is one less trip he can take with commercial clients.
A class with Blodgett is an exhilarating experience; words fail when trying to describe the sensation of crashing through towering whitewater or plunging over a churning fall. Through Blodgett’s classes, several students have discovered a passion for river-running and have gone on to be summer river guides themselves, either for Blodgett or with other guiding companies.
“We like to stoke the fire for outdoor opportunity,” Blodgett said.
Sophomore Elizabeth Hallman agreed; “I am not only taking the beginning whitewater class this term, but also the advanced class because I enjoyed it so much.”
Taking a trip with Blodgett is more than just crashing through waves. His knowledge of local history, geology and biology are shared freely with every passenger so that a trip down the Umpqua becomes an entertaining classroom.
“The Umpqua is a river you can never tire of. If you run it on a regular basis, you get to see it in all its different moods. I call it the emerald jewel. I feel like a proud parent; I am proud of all of it.”
He expresses his knowledge with a carnival-barker’s flare, pointing out interesting spots along the river, sharing lessons on flora, fauna, geology and Native American history.
“Bill is very knowledgeable; he knows the history of the Umpqua so well, he knows the history of the Umpqua Indians and has an amazing repertoire,” UCC Athletic Director Cheryl Yoder said.
Blodgett’s generosity extends beyond UCC. Earlier this year, he donated boats, equipment and guides (including himself) free of charge to the Wounded Warrior Project, a program that aims to honor and empower former U.S. soldiers.
Some people brag about their own actions, let everyone know their triumphs and accomplishments, and crow endlessly about what they have achieved. Others go quietly about their business, never bragging or boasting. Blodgett fits into this latter category. He has given a huge amount of his time and his equipment not only to UCC, but to the community at large yet never says a word about the good he has done. He is a teacher, an entertainer, a businessman and most of all, a guide. The kind of guide who teaches clients how to navigate not only the whitewater of the river, but the tumultuous rapids of life itself.