NEW green edition Oru Inlet kayak: A visual journey
Drum roll please…. after over two years of significant use with my first Oru Inlet kayak, I sprung for a brand-new one. And this time in the beautiful new green color!
A couple of things I realized during this folding kayak buying experience:
There aren’t that many photos of the green Oru kayak out there, and
It’s difficult to capture the true color on camera.
So I set out to one of my favorite paddling destinations near Portland, Oregon – Scappoose Bay – for my first outdoor kayaking experience with my new boat and to snap some photos of the kayak in natural lighting.
And since it was our first 80 degree and sunny day in PDX this year? Didn’t need to ask me twice…
I snapped this photo of my brand-new Oru Inlet in green folded on the dock at Scappoose Marina, Oregon
One of things I love about this particular kayaking spot is that it’s easy to score parking, the fee is minimal ($3 for day parking, no boat launch), there are restrooms, and the marina store and paddling center.
And with my folding kayak only weighing 20 pounds, it’s really easy for me to carry my boat, paddle, life jacket, and dry bag to the dock by myself. Scappoose is just a great, easy, staple of a regular kayaking route near PDX!
When I arrived at the dock, the energy at Scappoose Marina and the Next Adventure Paddling Center was buzzing. And as I was assembling my folded Oru boat, I quickly learned why…
Side view of the brand new Oru kayak in green
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Brand-new Oru Inlet kayak assembling process. This is what it looks like when you first unfold it, and see all the parts (orange and black) resting in the cockpit of the boat. From here, it takes less than 5 minutes to assemble!
This is the new Oru green edition kayak fully assembled, as viewed from behind. Photo taken upon return to the dock. The fairings are visible on the bottom - if you ever need to replace your Oru kayak fairings, we have a guide on this site.
Anglers were returning with giant catch– some with cleaned fish filets, and others with glistening scales–while other fisher folks were shopping at the marina store and prepping their motor boats on the launch to head out into the Columbia River.
As I helped a paddling couple lift their kayaks onto the dock, they reported seeing several salmon jumping from the water while out in Scappoose Bay.
Folding kayak on Scappoose Bay during salmon season
The sun was shining, Mt. St. Helens was in full view, and waterbirds were everywhere. As I hit the water and paddled out for the first time this season, I was immediately filled with such a deep sense of peace, joy, and gratitude to be on a boat again, out in nature, and moving my body. There are so many physical and mental benefits to kayaking!
[READ MORE: Think your ready to buy a folding kayak? Ask yourself these 5 key questions before you buy an Oru]
View of Mt. St. Helens from my kayak boat on Scappoose Bay
While I didn’t see salmon myself that day, I did observe two beautiful Pacific Northwest birds – the great egret with its sleek white body and iconic S-shaped neck, and a great blue heron preening itself in the wetlands.
All in all, it was a beautiful short paddle on the water. Here are some more photos of the Oru green edition kayak (Inlet model) and a visual journey of what it’s like to paddle out to Scappoose Creek and back to the marina…
This kayaking trip was in the middle of my 12-week cardio health fitness challenge. This was an easy paddle day, but I felt strong.
A lot of people ask me about the calories burned while kayaking, so I’m starting to document the activity on my Apple Watch to share more findings for those interested in paddling for fitness.
On this 47-minute paddle, I burned 190 active calories. And I stopped quite frequently to take pictures and enjoy the views.
As Scappoose Bay is a tidal estuary, there was some light current to content with, but nothing unmanageable that day for a beginner or intermediate kayaker. I also paddled out to the creek, where the water is calm and flat.
All in all, it was a very easy and short recreational paddle.
Want to learn more about Oru folding kayaks?
Here are some quick links to articles that answer all the questions people stop me to ask:
Pro’s & con’s of the Oru Inlet kayak
Oru Inlet vs Beach LT folding kayaks
Top spots to flatwater kayak near Portland
Common animals you’ll see while paddling in the PNW
Everything you need to know about flatwater kayaking
The folded Oru Inlet is compact to fit right into the trunk of a vehicle - with room to spare for your paddle, life jacket, and dry bag gear.
In my happy place.
About Flatwater Kayak Club
Flatwater Kayak Club is a leading woman-owned online platform dedicated to supporting beginner and intermediate kayakers in the Pacific Northwest. Our company founder, a former writer for The National Geographic Channel and a current ACA member, guides our mission with her passion for kayaking, nature, and storytelling