We had 10 boats for today's Official Sunday CCA paddle. Weather was fine albeit a bit overcast. The level was 3.2 The parking lot at Pennyfield was jammed at 1000. A German hiking club was there. Later we saw a large number of campers/tents about a mile up river on the Va side. I assume they put on at Pennyfield.
In K1s we had Wayne, Barb, Alf, Pam, Hildy, Toni, and Gus. Steven Glennie (making his personal First Descent) was in a rec boat. Likewise making a Personal First Descent was Logan Hoffman in a pack raft (an inflatable kayak with skirt). Logan lowered the average age of the trip by about 20 years. Showing he didn't need to shuttle with the old folks, Logan parked his car at Pennyfield and strolled up to our Rileys put-in carrying the inflatable. Pretty uneventful trip, but we did have some excitement. As we were taking off, we ran into the unofficial CCA Sunday trip.
Supplement by Alf Cooley:
Entrapment on Underwater Log in the Geo Washington / Patowmack Canal
Yesterday, on the CCA Sunday Paddle while surfing the many delightful features at the end of 30-Eddy/Exit Rapid, I was flipped and washed into a four-inch diameter log extending directly across the main chute. The log was about four inches below the surface (LF at 3.2 ft), with me underneath. After about ten seconds I was able to wriggle off the end of it toward river left and float free. Paddling companions retrieved my boat and paddle, and helped reunite me with them. I am OK.
This hazard did not affect the other members of my group, who paddled blithely over it, but for medium-skilled boaters playing in this rapid (I had done 11 of the eddies and was leaning in for a 12th) it could be deadly. We have contacted Calleva, which has kindly said they'll remove the offending object. - - - On Sunday, 4 June, volunteers from Calleva and Team River Runner spent an hour removing the 15-foot log. So no danger at that place. Thank-you, all.