An excerpt from an article about SBK as seen in the November 2008 edition of National Geographic.

The Hobie Mirage Adventure Island kayak is the Swiss army knife of watercraft—a stable boat, with dual outriggers, a sail, and a pedal-powered propeller. "They’re incredible fun," says Steve Gibons of Scappoose Bay Kayaking in St. Helens, on the Columbia River north of Portland. "When you’re that low to the water, ten knots feels like thirty." Scappoose’s two-hour intro course gets tyros a classroom briefing and on-the-river lessons—simple technicalities like how to tack are a breeze. After just a few hours, pupils zigzag the lower Columbia on their own ($60; scappoosebaykayaking.com). November? No problem. "There’s no such thing as bad weather," Gibons says, citing the old maxim. "Just bad clothing." Besides, he adds, "I love sailing when it’s a little bit windier." Hobie skippers can bunk at the Nob Hill B&B just above the big kayak barn on the river (doubles from $159; nobhillbb.com).

adventure.nationalgeographic.com/2008/11/weekend-getaways/pacific-fall-text

A short story and video that Grant McOmie did on SBK in 2009.

If mid-summer heat waves get you down, perhaps it’s time for a cool retreat!

This week’s Grant’s Getaway promises a refreshing escape as I go aboard a small boat on a huge river. It’s the sort of adventure that may leave you feeling a million miles away from the city hubbub and noise in a sea kayak on the Columbia River.

Trying something new and risky takes courage, but if you’re convinced that it’s right for you, the risk can often pay off with unique adventures.

Safety is everything when Steve Gibons, owner of Scappoose Bay Kayaking, gathers paddlers together on the dock at Scappoose Bay Marina.

The first step: we slid into the cozy confines of the small cockpits of a smooth sided 14-foot long tandem sea kayak. We listened intently as Steve explained a basic rule of kayak recreation: First, a reassuring fact: more people tip over at the dock than any other place on the water – either getting in or out.”

Many of our fellow paddlers were like us – relative newcomers to the recreation and to this stretch of Multnomah Channel at Scappoose Bay. It’s a place where tide and weather can change in a heartbeat.

But on this gentle summer’s day, the bay and the nearby Columbia River were smooth and calm, so no need for us to worry. Instead, we used our time to practice the basic forward and reverse paddle strokes that Steve taught us – paddle strokes that we would soon put to good use.

Finding a comfort zone on the glassy water came easy on a day that was filled with summer’s glory – clear skies, a gentle breeze and outgoing tide to ease our downriver journey. More importantly, our small group of paddlers seemed to have the river all to ourselves on a stretch of Columbia River backwater that’s largely overlooked by most folks.

It is certainly that – and much more – a time and place where nature’s touch restores your soul.

http://blog.traveloregon.com/2009/08/17/grants-getaways-scappoose-bay-kayaking/