Chair's Cockpit
By David (Cotton) Cottingham
Wow. What a busy spring and summer paddling season we've had in spite of low water levels since July. And it's not over yet. CCA has had more than 85 club trips in which almost 900 participants (over 200 individuals) joined. While this demonstrates the vitality of CCA, I'm especially excited about some new things we did in 2024.
CCA held three instructional clinics, two for kayakers and one for canoeists, on the Lower Yough for intermediate and advanced paddlers. In addition, several CCA members worked with Calleva and Soul Trak to introduce people of color to whitewater boating. Following through on the latter, in mid-September CCA invited the Soul Trak kayaking class to join the CCA Sunday paddlers for a run from Riley's Lock down the George Washington Canal. We had more than 25 people paddling. Of course, our Sunday morning and Wednesday night paddles (suitable for beginner and novice boaters) continue to be popular, and so do our Thursday paddles (suitable for intermediate boaters).
Many thanks to all who have coordinated trips this season and the folks who coordinate the trip coordinators.
CCA is approaching its 70th year. The first Potomac Downriver Race was in May 1956, making it the longest continuously running canoe/kayak race in the country. Stimulated by the first downriver race, CCA officially formed later that fall. I bring this to everyone's attention because CCA should celebrate its longevity and its many contributions to the whitewater paddling community—racing in the early days, trip explorations throughout the central Atlantic region, conservation of waterways, advocating for access to popular paddling rivers, and so much more. Barbara Brown, CCA Archivist and Historian, is pulling together club history. If you have information or stories about CCA that you think others would enjoy, please get in touch with Barb (potomacb3@gmail.com).
As I write this in late September, CCA still has a lot going on and some beautiful paddling weather in coming months. Our annual picnic was held Sept. 22 at Riley's Lock. Our regularly scheduled paddling will continue through October as fall colors peak. And the annual holiday party will be Friday,ev Dec. 6. Hope to see you at some of those events.
—Cotton