To build visibility and awareness of Portland's Willamette River's revival, HAP formed an open water swimming team in 2012 – the River Huggers. In short, it’s a public advocacy swim group where community, fitness and activism meet. By Portland City proclamation we are Portland's Official Open Water Swim Team. All intermediate level swimmers are welcome {meaning you should be able to swim a mile in a pool in 45 minutes without stopping}.

The River Hugger Swim Team typically swims mid-June through mid-September, Monday-Friday at 7:00am and 7:45am, and on Saturday at 9am. The weekday morning swims cross the Willamette River and back (each lap is about a half mile); advanced swimmers are welcome to take a second lap. The Saturday swim heads to the Morrison Bridge and back (about a 0.6 mile lap). The Saturday swim is a slower paced and more relaxed swim. 

The Huggers meet at the Station 21 Fire House on the Eastside Esplanade, near Hawthorne Bridge on time for a mandatory safety talk before swimming. It takes 25-30 minutes to swim across to the west side and back, 1/4 mile each direction.