Boating Safety Advocates Program

The goals of the Boating Safety Advocate Program:

Connection,
Two-way communication, and
Building a safe, resourceful boating community in Oregon.

Marine Board BSAs meet boaters at boat ramps, on the water, at safety events, races, and regattas. They also visit schools from kindergarten through 12th grade with fun, hands-on activities. BSAs can help beginners learn about the required equipment for different types of boats. They may also recommend ways to build skills for facing certain conditions on specific waterways.

Boating Safety Advocates do not make or enforce rules. But they collect information and listen to boaters' perspectives. They play a very important role for the Marine Board in helping make boating safer.

The Boating Safety Advocates (BSA) program is now in its third year. The Marine Board has two full-time positions in Salem and two seasonal positions serving in other regions of Oregon. BSAs are at their most active during the traditional boating season (May - September).

Priscilla Macy-Cruser
Boating Safety Advocate Coordinator

Hi, my name is Priscilla Macy-Cruser, and I grew up near the Rogue River in Southern Oregon. At an early age, I was introduced to outdoor recreation and various water sports.

My first job was working for a jetboat company in Grants Pass, and shortly after high school, I became a professional whitewater river guide, leading trips in Oregon, Idaho, and California, both commercially and for a wilderness therapy program.

I attended Oregon State University, earning an undergraduate degree in Recreation Resource Management. During this time, I worked as a student instructor at the University Adventure Leadership Institute, teaching climbing, rafting, adventure education, and rescue classes. During this period, I was also introduced to whitewater kayaking, which quickly became my main passion. Later, an experienced kayaker (who eventually became my husband) introduced me to paddling some of Oregon's more remote rivers, and together we explored, paddled, and documented some of the lesser-known rivers in Oregon and the western United States.

My personal and professional paddling experiences have deepened my commitment to preserving Oregon's waterways and promoting responsible access to them. In 2016, I graduated again from Oregon State University, this time with an MBA, and launched into a consulting business. As a consultant, I've worked with various outdoor industry organizations, partnering with key stakeholders to lead community engagement efforts and advocate for proactive outdoor recreation policies, both in Oregon and nationally. I've also previously worked as an outdoor writer and photographer, as a commercial paddle sports sales manager at NRS, as Executive Director for Oregon Outfitters and Guides Association, and as a regional coordinator for American Whitewater.

Outdoor recreation is a meaningful way to connect with our natural environment. By sharing these experiences with others and promoting responsible recreation, I believe we can ensure the protection, access, and enjoyment of Oregon's lands and waters for generations to come. As the Boating Safety Advocate Program Coordinator, I aim to work with Oregon's boating communities and the public to raise awareness and educate about responsible boating practices. My goal is to make more people feel welcome, prepared, knowledgeable, and confident in safely enjoying our state's waterways.

Tiffany Hager

BSA Tiffany Hager not preparing to stand up paddleboard near a river in the snow

I was born in Alaska but grew up in West Texas, two and a half hours away from the nearest body of water; so water is sacred to me. Whenever my family got the chance, we would head out to the coast or a lake for some fun. But it wasn’t until I moved to Houston, Texas, after college, that I learned to sail, surf, and kayak. I would do one of these activities every weekend.

My educational background is in geoscience, but when I moved back to Alaska, I started tour guiding. Then worked in education as a Special Education Paraeducator during the school year. During the summers, I was a fish technician for Alaska Fish and Game, getting paid to catch Chinook salmon on the Kenai River. I love working with people, particularly children, and being outside, either in, on, or near the water. I'm excited to share my enthusiasm and knowledge through the Boating Safety Advocate program to Oregon boaters.

Kory Mohr

I grew up in Grants Pass, where rivers and the outdoors were a constant part of everyday life. Spending time on the Rogue River from a young age gave me a deep appreciation for the water, the people who use it, and the responsibility that comes with recreating safely. Those experiences are what first drew me toward boating, river culture, and eventually a career connected to outdoor recreation and education.

My professional background includes years of experience in river outfitting, trip coordination, staff leadership, customer education, and outdoor operations. I’ve worked closely with people from all backgrounds — from first-time visitors to experienced boaters and professional guides — helping create safe, positive experiences on the water while balancing logistics, communication, and risk management. A major part of my work has involved training others, teaching practical skills, and promoting professionalism and safety in dynamic outdoor environments.

As a Boating Safety Advocate for Oregon State Marine Board, I want to contribute a grounded, approachable perspective that connects with Oregon boaters in a meaningful way. I believe education works best when it’s practical, respectful, and rooted in real-world experience. My goal is to help promote a stronger culture of boating safety across Oregon by building positive relationships with communities, supporting outreach and education efforts, and helping people enjoy Oregon’s waterways responsibly and confidently.

As a Boating Safety Advocate for Oregon State Marine Board, I want to contribute a grounded, approachable perspective that connects with Oregon boaters in a meaningful way. I believe education works best when it's practical, respectful, and rooted in real-world experience. My goal is to help promote a stronger culture of boating safety across Oregon by building positive relationships with communities, supporting outreach and education efforts, and helping people enjoy Oregon's waterways responsibly and confidently.

Julia Conrad

I'm Julia, a Oregon-based water enthusiast and outdoor professional whose life has been shaped by rivers, coastlines, and the communities that gather around them. Originally I'm from Delaware and have called Oregon home since 2012. My connection to water began with summers spent at the beach, waterskiing in the bay, and working at a waterfront camp where I led sailing, skiing, and both motorized and non‑motorized boating activities. After college, I guided on Class III+ rivers and eventually managed river operations for a major rafting outfitter on the East Coast. These experiences instilled a deep appreciation for the peace, chaos, challenge, empowerment, and incredible community that water brings together.

Over the past two decades, I have served as the whitewater specialist at an adventure‑based alternative school, coordinated university recreation programs at Washington State University–Vancouver and Oregon State University–Cascades, and provided instruction in stand up paddle boarding, canoeing, whitewater kayaking, rafting, and expeditionary leadership courses. My instructional work spans a wide range of participants, including youth, adults, adaptive athletes, veterans, and diverse outdoor communities.

Beyond my professional roles, I also compete internationally as Captain and team member of the U.S.A. Master Women's Rafting Team. My experiences on waterways locally, nationally, and globally help fuel my passion for relationship‑based safety education, stewardship, and expanding access to safe, meaningful recreation opportunities for Oregon's boating communities and beyond.

Let's get on the water!