Jordan Taylor from Paddlesport Institute (https://paddlesportinstitute.com/) offered CCA members a Potomac River OC1 clinic on Saturday, August 22nd (the level was about 3.1). 4 members signed up for the clinic, David, Gary, Ginny and Owen. We met up at lock 6, dropped boats (and one spotter) and set shuttle at Fletcher's Boathouse.
The five open canoes, an unusual site on the Potomac, started in the flat-water section of gates in the feeder canal. Jordan had some exercises focused on boat control and stroke efficiency that everyone practiced. As with any clinic, some saw the techniques as new and more challenging than others. But everyone seemed to enjoy the chance to stretch their skills.
After a quick lunch, we moved up to the top of the feeder canal -- thank you to the kayak slalom class who let us take over for a bit. There we practiced those same skills adding in the effects of moving water and faster current. The feeder canal is a great, forgiving place for work on ferry strokes and ferry efficiency.
After a check-in above the Z channel and reminder of boating safety and trip communications, Jordan led the group down the channel and into the main Potomac. No new hazards and the run left of the center rock was smooth for all. We crossed to the Virginia side to a nice eddy below the first of the small rapids before Little Falls. There was a tree blocking the entrance to the eddy which has been sawed off to minimize the hazard.
At Beaver Slide, Owen portaged up to run the drop back into the main Potomac, making it look easy. The group practiced the new ferry techniques on a friendly wave just below Beaver Slide, which was a lovely spot to spend some time working on efficiently crossing the current.
We eddied out on the left above Little Falls to scout the rapid and plan routes. After discussion and agreement we all ran the Maryland side some from the staging eddy and some staying along the Maryland shore. It was a fine day on the river with some new skills and techniques to carry forward.
— David