Riverplace Marina

Average as marinas go. Not as big as many marinas and with fewer amenities (I can’t think of any) to folks who don’t dock a boat there. The small size makes it easy to navigate and thankfully there are retail and hotel businesses that line the waterfront area nearby to give one something to do. Like many reviewers, I, too, dragon boat and love the sport and because this is where we start practice I bumped it from 3 stars to 4 for that. But, as far as the marina area, well, it’s just alright.

We did dragon boating along the marina. I thought my fat ass was going to sink the boat. The dragon boat owner lady was a fat bitch. She wasn’t very nice. The boat was harder to move cuz she was a heffer like me.

I walked my little dog Lilly along the water front to the marina to watch my daughter in her Dragon Boat competition in early June. The Marina was chuck full of activity and people. It was a beautiful sight to see. The colorful dragon boats, the teams in their colors and life vests. The electrified energy generated from all the spectators and teams alike. There were even dogs of all sizes for Lilly to bark at.
We had a great time. If you have not visited the River Place Marina during Dragon Boat Races-​you really should. There is a whole different dynamic opposed to the off season. During the off season though, It is great to just walk around and visit the shops and restaurants in the area. It is Portland, throw a rock and you would probably hit a Pay to park garage. Or if you are lucky to find on street parking they are out there too.

I’m out here about three times a week for dragon boat practice, but I decided to review this spot because it is just such an awesome sight to see.
When you come out to the marina, you’ll find beautiful landscaping, birds, dragon boaters and other water sport enthusiasts, fishermen, shops, restaurants, and a truly beautiful view. Great for pictures! Take a stroll up and down the waterfront or just enjoy some boat and people watching.
There is pay to park street parking around the marina and pay to park parking garages. If light rail transportation is easiest for you, there is a stop near the Residence Inn– Portland Downtown Riverplace… you can check out
for more info on that.

Write about something you love.
One year ago, I was filled with nervous anticipation. After ten years of talking about it, luck and timing finally came together and I joined a dragon boat team.
The eight boats you see docked at the marina are shared by a hundred teams made up of a fun and sometimes odd assortment of friends, coworkers, high school students and serious paddlers. So starting at the end of March through the Rose Festival in June, you’ll see a thousand folks with life vests and paddles heading to the marina from sunrise until sunset.
It takes time, dedication and a really strong back. A sense of humor is an absolute must. We’ll go out in the blistering sun and pouring rain. Only one practice was canceled last year during a lightning storm. Even then, paddlers showed up only to be turned away. We’ll be swamped by powerboats and my arch nemesis, the Willamette Jet Boat, later in the season. I will paddle until it feels like my arms are ready to fall off. Then I’ll take a quick break and do it all again.
This past Saturday as a collection of teams moved the boats from their winter home at Willamette Park to the marina, all the excitement and nerves flooded back. Initially I was on a boat with paddlers from the Golden Dragons. Every member is over 50 and they have one paddler who is 92. 92!!! And they still had their sense of humor firmly intact.
During the spring, the marina feels like my home away from home. It is always fun to have people at Tom McCall Waterfront Park and the Riverplace Promenade cheer us on as we practice. It would be even better if they bought us a beer afterwards. Hint, hint.

This is a great small marina we love to visit when we are in the area. I’m giving it an extra star for being the seasonal home of the local dragon boat fleet, which I fondle, photograph, and fantasize about rowing at some point in my future. Fat chance, given I have the upper body strength of cooked spaghetti.