New Member Profile: Oregon WaterShed
Meet Lori Mace, owner of Oregon WaterShed. To welcome them as a new member of the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, we recently spoke with Lori to find out more about her and the organization.
Tell us a little about Oregon Watershed.
Oregon WaterShed Paddlesports is a local, woman-owned and operated small business in the heart of downtown Springfield next to the Willamette River. We carry a line of paddlesport products for all levels of recreational enjoyment. Our goal is to connect people in our community to the recreational opportunities in our region through our sale and rental programs.
Where and how did you get your start in this type of business?
We moved to the Eugene/Springfield area in 2010. We, and our three kiddos, have always had a deep love for all things outdoor recreation in our beautiful state of Oregon. Having grown up reaping the recreational benefits of watersheds, we decided to open the WaterShed in 2022 to create retail and rental opportunities for those folks looking to take advantage of the many waterways of the southern Willamette Valley and surrounding areas.
What services do you offer and what makes you unique?
We have a full retail shop that offers any kayak and SUPs merch needed to get into the sport, or to upgrade existing equipment. We also have a rental program that offers day rentals for tubes, Inflatable Kayaks (IK), hardshell sit-on and sit-in kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards (SUPs) for all sorts of water fun. You can rent equipment at our shop right on the Willamette River, as well as rental kiosks at ClearWater Park and Day Island Park for walk-up service. Our shop is located near the Day Island Park boat launch. We offer shuttle service for floaters from ClearWater Park all the way to Alton Baker Park, so we can customize the perfect float for you. We have also partnered with Willamalane to offer summer programming for white water kayaking lessons on the Willamette River in our own backyard!
What do you like most about this work?
We love working with people and contributing to our community in a fun and impactful way. We love to see people experience the sport at any level and expand people’s ability to explore paddlesports. We are thrilled to have a part in helping people have some fun on the water!
Anything else you’d like to share?
Whether you are looking for a one-day experience, it is your first time on the river, or you are a frequent enthusiast, we have the products needed for your next adventure!
Oregon WaterShed is a locally-owned and operated business focused on providing paddlesport products and experiences for the area’s many waterways.
