16 paddlers (Alan G, Alf C, Barb B, Bob B, Elyse O, Gary & Ginny Q, Hendrick vO, Jackie H, John, Kathleen S, Pam W, Rich C, Robin W, Toni B & Wayne McD) took advantage of the fine weather for a Sunday paddle on the George Washington Canal in10 K-1s and 6 OC-1s. In view of the number we divided into two groups, river runners and eddy hoppers, who proceeded down the canal at decidedly different paces. The river level was low with the LF gage 2.93 ft., as low as it has been since last November. This made for a somewhat scrapey run, particularly at Diagonal Rapid. One swim at Surfers Ledge, but otherwise an uneventful and a beautiful day to be on the river.
Allison and crew caught up with the second group at Surfers Ledge hole and after a show of impressive dancing in the hole by one kayaker, the group carried on down river. They left Barb and Kathleen to document the strainer removal at Exit Rapid and the rest headed down to Pennyfield. Reportedly, the strainer was successfully removed; additional detail should be available elsewhere on this website.
Alf writes: Though armed to the teeth with a vicious bow saw, I felt overmatched by the 15-foot log extending across the right side of the last of 30-Eddy/Exit Rapid, and so desisted from even trying. An hour later Alison from TRR and others from Calleva had demolished the object. The two photos of the operation should go up on the CCA Fb page.