NEXT ADVENTURE’S SCAPPOOSE BAY PADDLING CENTER TO LIVE ON AS “THE PADDLE SHACK - SCAPPOOSE BAY”

Scappoose, OR, September 25, 2025 –Cody James and Bri of Scappoose, Oregon, have purchased Next Adventure’s Scappoose Bay Kayaking Center and will run paddle sports rentals, retail, and community events as owner/operators of the business, newly renamed as “The Paddle Shack”.

Next Adventure bought Scappoose Bay Kayaking in 2013 from founders Steve and Bonnie Gibons. At its height, Next Adventure rented more than 300 kayaks a day at the Bay and has gradually become the single most popular tourist destination in all of Columbia County.

Spouses Cody James and Bri fell in love with Scappoose Bay four years ago and frequently brought friends and family on paddling trips there. “We were blown away by the birds, the wildlife, and the peacefulness of Scappoose Bay,” Cody James recalls. “We wanted to be on the water every chance we got.” When the couple heard that the center was going to close this fall at the end of Next Adventure’s Retirement Going-Out-of-Business Sale, they said to each other, “We can’t let that happen!” Cody James and Bri were not alone with this sentiment – multiple times a day since the retirement sale began, Next Adventure staff have heard a common refrain of how sad it is to lose such a gem and how they wished someone would buy it and continue the operation.

A cold call to Next Adventure’s Co-owner, Deek Heykamp, began a series of discussions that included the Port of Columbia County, Columbia County Small Business Resource Center, and Business Oregon. “Everyone pulled together in a real community effort to preserve access to the incredible regional resource that is Scappoose Bay Kayaking,” said Deek Heykamp.

“The Bay offers easy paddling access for everyone and it’s just so healing to the mind and soul,” Cody James said. “Sharing the outdoors and nature with the community and being a steward of Scappoose Bay is our real passion.”

The ownership handover will happen on October 1st, and the couple will keep the same business hours throughout the month. In the future, they plan to open as early as 5 or 6 a.m. to better serve the fishing community and to stay open later in the summer so people can paddle after work. Ultimately, they would like to offer an ADA accessible launch, a food truck, birdwatching trips, full moon paddle tours, and community events such as concerts. “We want The Paddle Shack to be a community gathering place,” said Cody James. “We want people to say, Meet me at The Paddle Shack!”

The couple will be running a promotional campaign to help kick off the business with rewards for early supporters with some really great paddling packages at significant savings. Learn more and get daily reports on conditions at Scappoose Bay on Instagram: @the_paddle_shack_SB and at www.ThePaddleShack-SB.com

“I’m so excited by the passion that Cody James and Bri bring to continuing, and expanding on, the legacy of Scappoose Bay Kayaking,” said Heykamp. “They are an amazing couple, and I hope the community will support their hard work to preserve this valuable resource. In retirement, my wife and I plan to spend much more time paddling at Scappoose Bay and I hope to see you out there!”

The Paddle Shack and Next Adventure want to thank the many community partners and supporters that made this smooth transition possible and who are dedicated to preserving and improving this cherished landmark on the bay:

Jason Moon, Director, Columbia County Small Business Resource Center
Wela Negelspach, Director of Tourism, Columbia Economic Team
Sean P. Clark, Executive Director, Port of Columbia County
Nick Sorber, Position #3, President, Port of Columbia County
Amy Bynum, Real Estate & Business Development Manager for the Port of Columbia County
Chip Bubl, Position #2 Vice President, Port of Columbia County
Miriam House, Operations Manager for the Port of Columbia County
Nancy Ward, Position #1 2nd Vice President of the Port of Columbia County
Melanie Olson, Regional Development Officer at Business Oregon
Karl Festnermaker, Oregon Small Business Development Center Network (SBDC)
Phil Lager, Owner Fast-Mat Signs, Graphics, Decals
Dave Wasylenko, Hagan Hamilton Insurance
Nick Hurliman, Owner and CPA, Hurliman CPA
Andrew Downs, Attorney at law

For more information and interviews, contact:
Deek Heykamp, Next Adventure: Phone: 503-701-7414, Email: deek@nextadventure.net
Cody James Pace, The Paddle Shack: Phone: 503-710-7277, Email: codyjames@thepaddleshack-sb.com
www.ThePaddleShack-SB.com