Author: OSFWC Webmaster

* OSFWC Status update

From: The Ocean Shores Fresh Waterways Corporation (OSFWC)

To: The Ocean Shores Community

Due to increasing health issues of several of our trustees, in addition to the Coronavirus concerns, we have
decided to suspend all activities until further notice. Although we love serving our community, our energy
reserves are waning. Consequently, the OSFWC is going into “emergency” mode, for now.

If you notice a water hazard (floating logs, wayward docks, dead deer in the water, etc.), please notify us via
email at: oswaterways@gmail.com. You can also contact us via our webpage at
www.oceanshoresfreshwaterways.com (click on the “Main Menu”, near the top of the page, and then click on
“OSFWC Contact Form”).

We will do our best to respond to emergency issues, but no promises.

Stay well, be considerate of others, and consider volunteering your time on a work crew or even as a new
Corporation Trustee.

Thank you,
Bruce Malloy
President, OSFWC

* 2019 Wine & Weeds

Saturday, 28 Sept 2019, the Ocean Shores Fresh Waterways Corporation hosted the annual Wine & Weeds information and membership drive. We had a great turnout. Once again, Doug Dorling, our senior aquatic biologist consultant presented a power point slide show. Doug provided historical background on our waterways health and the problems facing virtually all fresh water lakes, ponds and streams in Washington. You can see the entire power point presentation by clicking the link below.

Dorling 2019 Power Point

* 2019 Paddle the Shores Event

 

2019 Paddle Flyer   Download the 2019 Paddle the Shores Flyer.

Its early days yet, so who knows what other fun and exciting events will materialize.

 

Mark you calendar. Paddle the Shores. Saturday 31 August 2019

This will be another fun filled day of human-powered watercraft racing, cardboard boat building and (wet) racing. We hope to bring the dunk tank and the rubber duck race back again this year. Its early days yet, so who knows what other fun and exciting events will materialize. Once again, the event will be held across the street from the entrance to Oyhut Bay Village at

400 Salmonberry Lane, Ocean Shores, Washington

A lot goes into preparing for the Annual Paddle the Shores event. The following pictures are Fresh Waterways Trustees trimming and removing reeds that block the waterways signs so the paddlers can see the signs. Work party camaraderie is certainly fun, but the operative word is “WORK”. We enjoy working and volunteering time and effort towards making Ocean Shores a better place to live and recreate.

* RePowering Work Boat #2

Grant Shaffer and Bob Pfau, are hard at work replacing the old, worn-out 25 Hp Mercury outboard with a new 4 stroke 35 Hp, high thrust outboard. They have also removed the old mid-boat console and are replacing it with this slick, new console which will be mounted near the right-side stern.

Repositioning the console will create more usable space as the work-crews pile cut tree limbs onto the workboat for transporting to our shore location where we unload and stack the branches.

These two photos show the old center console and 25 Hp Merc. Moving the console will allow the work-crew to maximize use of the deck space. It will be much easier to stack the branches onboard and then drag them off the boat because the console will be in a corner, out of the way.

Grant is showing off the new motor while figuring out the optimum cable routing which will determine the precise placement of the console.

The canals are shallow. Many of the tree limbs are too large to stack on board the work-boat. Consequently they have to be towed to the unloading property. The towing drag of logs and massive branches really overworked our old, worn -out two stroke motor. The new motor and console placement will make the work both easier and safer.

All of us appreciate the work that Grant, Bob and others have contributed towards this re-power project. The Fresh Waterways Corporation especially appreciates the city’s help in funding this sorely needed project.

* 2018 Wine & Weeds

Wine & Weeds is the annual Ocean Shores Fresh Waterways Corporation (OSFWC) membership drive and information event

  • Doug Dorling – OSFWC Senior Aquatic Biologist consultant
  • Bruce Malloy – Current president of OSFWC

Once again, we had a very productive and informative event. This year, we moved the event to the Lions Club. We have significantly more room and much better parking. We anticipate that all future Wine and Weeds events will also take place at the Lions Club 832 Ocean Shores Blvd NW, Ocean Shores, WA 98569

  • Several new members joined the Ocean Shores Fresh Waterways (non-profit) Corporation.
  • We all enjoyed the free wine and other refreshments.
  • Our Senior Aquatic Biologist Consultant Doug Dorling showed a slide presentation about our waterways.
  • Doug informed us
    • about the health of the waterways,
    • the types and toxicities (virtually non-toxic to animals and humans in the doses used) of the herbicides used for weed control,
    • some of the testing procedures and results of those tests.
    • Doug then answered a bunch of questions from the audience.

Wine and Weeds is the Ocean Shores Fresh Waterways (OSFWC) Annual membership drive. It happens close to the end of summer. Membership cost is $20.oo per household. All money goes into a fund that helps pay our boat registration fees, buy equipment or otherwise support the all volunteer efforts of our hard working board of trustees.

The trustees periodically remove dangerous trees or overhanging branches, primarily from the narrower canals. When possible, tree logs are staked to the banks edge which mitigates wake and wave damage to the fragil waterway edges.

They also work with the city’s public works department to haul carcases or other water hazards to shore so they can be properly disposed of.

Future projects will include:

  • cleaning the waterways signs,
  • working with our police department
    • to clean,
    • replace or
    • reposition and re anchor the various buoys in the waterways.

Mark your 2019 calendar. Wine and Weeds will take place on 28 September 2019.

At the Ocean Shores Lions Club
832 Ocean Shores Blvd NW, Ocean Shores, WA 98569

* 2018 Paddle the Shores

Annual Human-Powered Watercraft Race

2018 was the second year of what the Ocean Shores Fresh Waterways Corp (OSFWC) hopes to be an ongoing annual event.

There are four primary races. Entrants use every sort of self-propelled watercraft to include: kayaks, canoes, home-built and commercial-built pedal powered craft, Hawaiian styled outrigger craft and more.

Six Mile Race –

For many of the contestants this is a grueling self challenge, testing both their endurance and skill. The fastest contestants often challenge (maybe even exceed ?) the 5 mph speed limit on the canals. However, these light weight, human powered craft create virtually zero wake, eliminating concerns for wake damage to the fragile banks of the waterways. The racers faces often reflect their intensity.

Two Mile Race

Paddleboard Race

The Poker Run

is the most popular event. It is not a timed event. For many contestants, it provides an opportunity for a less physically intense paddle as well as an opportunity to take home a little cash prize. The course has seven stations scattered between Oyhut boat launch and the Bell canals. Contestants receive a sealed envelope that contains one poker card at each station. Once contestants gather all seven envelopes they paddle back to the start and turn in their envelopes. The judges assemble each poker hand. Best hand wins the prize money.

  • Our safety boats keep a careful watch for potential trouble

Dunking Tank

  • Intrepid dunk tank volunteers included Ocean Shores police chief Neccie Logan
  • and City Council member Lisa Griebel

Rubber Duckie Race –

sorry, no pictures. You purchase a batch of little yellow rubber duckies. All entries get put in a big bag, which gets dumped off the bridge. Wind propels the enthusiastic (well as enthusiastic as a rubber duckie can be) contestants towards the finish line. The first duck across wins and its owner gets their share of the pot. My memory is flakey, but I think last years winner took home close to a hundred dollars.

Traditional Cardboard Boat Race

was another big hit – you get two sheets of cardboard, duct tape, a box cutter and a time limit for you and your team to design and build your winning craft. One intrepid member of your team then faces the challenge of a timed race around a a buoy and back to the start. Shortest elapsed time wins the race.

The Ocean Shores Pirates

were on hand to start the big race and “intimidate” the spectators.

Fun was had by all as the many photos will attest to.

  • 1 young, exhausted, 6 mile paddler benefited from a little help

We hope to see you at the 31 August 2019 Paddle the Shores Event

It is not too soon to start thinking about and training for the 31 August 2019 Paddle the Shores event. Help us make the coming event the biggest and best yet. Paddle the Shores is an ideal opportunity to visit and enjoy the many weekend vacation opportunities offered by Ocean Shores and especially our 23 miles of Fresh Waterways. Whether you sign up for one of the several races, or simply enjoy a leisurely paddle, or a walk on the beach, Ocean Shores offers abundant wildlife viewing and scenic landscapes. LIFE IS BETTER AT THE BEACH.

* 2017 Archive

Wine and Weeds 2017

2017 “Wine and Weeds” Annual Meeting and Event Saturday, September 23rd at 5:00pm at the Ocean Shores Inn & Suites Please join us! Wine, snacks, and a ton of information regarding our 23 beautiful miles of lakes and canals. We will have an aquatic biologist as our featured speaker and would love to hear your suggestions and feedback.

2017 Work Party

An OSFWC work party clearing low hanging branches and limbs over the canals to make them more navigable. With Bruce Malloy, Lisa Malloy, Grant Shaffer, Bob Pfau, Phyllis Brown, Max Everett, John Pike, Molly Williams (taking photo), and Richard Wills.

    • The crew taking a much deserved water break

Herbicide Treatment Notice

Herbicide treatment notice for various canals and waterways in Ocean Shores on/or between July 16 through July 31, 2017.

Grass Carp

On March 27, 2017, the Ocean Shores city council unanimously passed and adopted the amendment to ordinance 8.20.010, prohibiting bow hunting of grass carp within city limits.