‘Oregon found population segment not yet taxed’: Jake and Spike sound off on new permits for paddle craft
Jul 23, 2025, 5:01 AM
Beginning January 1, 2026, all kayaks, rafts, and stand-up paddleboards will require a permit in the state of Oregon.
The permit, issued by the Oregon State Marine Board, can be obtained for either a seven-day period for $6 or annually for $20.
“The only reason I’m reporting on this story is because I’m making a timestamp,” KIRO host Jake Skorheim said. “This is a prediction of what will happen in Washington State. When they see that other people have gotten away with shenanigans, they will also try to get away with shenanigans. And so this is a tax that will absolutely come to our waterways at some point in the near future.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” KIRO host Spike O’Neill added.
The Oregon State Marine Board claimed the state needs a permit to educate and work against invasive species. According to The Oregon Catalyst, only two other states require paddleboards under 10 feet to have a permit.
“You’re not using the boat ramp to get in, you’re literally just hopping off the dock or pushing off on a beach or waterway on the rocks in a river, and now you have to get a permit?” Jake stated. It’s not crazy expensive … but you didn’t have to pay these things before if you just wanted to go down on a paddleboard. Now you’re going to have to pay an extra fee, which is going to stop people from doing it, which is going to stop people from getting healthy, and everybody’s going to be fat.”
$120 fine for paddling on Oregon waterways without a permit
For those willing to risk it and paddle on Oregon waterways without a permit, there is a $120 fine if caught.
“The headline ought to be ‘Oregon found population segment not yet taxed, and corrected their mistake,'” Spike said.
This permit follows another recreational permit in Oregon, the bicycle excise tax. Established in 2017, it’s a flat tax of $15 per purchase of any bicycle worth $200 or more.
“This is criminal, Spike. This is wrong,” Jake said. “We need to call it out when it happens. This is wrong. They shouldn’t be doing this, and Washington’s going to do this.”
More information on the permits required for kayaks, rafts, and stand-up paddleboards in Oregon can be found here.
Listen to the full conversation here.
Listen to “The Jake and Spike Show” weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. on KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM. Subscribe to the podcast here.
