Events - Week View

Water quality releases from Jennings Randolph Lake that are suitable for whitewater recreation may be made on selected weekends during the summer and fall, provided stream conditions are suitable and sufficient water is available. Such releases are usually confirmed about 2 to 4 weeks in advance. Call a telephone recording at (410) 962-7687. Release Schedule: https://www.nab-wc.usace.army.mil/nab/northBranch.html Description from American Whitewater. "This section of the North Branch Potomac has fairly continuous whitewater consisting of primarily open Class II-III rapids with waves and holes. The water is cold, however, because it is usually drawn from deep in the reservoir. Be prepared for 50-55 degree water anytime of year. Short pools break up the rapids." Interested in coordinating this trip? Contact Tom Hackman at tphackma@gmail.com or Gary Quam at gquam64@gmail.com.

This is a class III river. See the Ben‘s Creek Canoe Club web site for more Information about the releases. https://benscreekcanoeclub.com/quemahoning-releases/ Interested in coordinating this trip? Contact Tom Hackman at tphackma@gmail.com or Gary Quam at gquam64@gmail.com.

If interested, contact Gary Steinberg at garymsteinberg@gmail.com.

What: Invitation to an in-person Blue Ridge Voyageurs paddling program Why: The weather is going to be inclement all week. You can chat with fellow paddlers and perhaps go for pizza or other refreshments after the meeting. When: Wednesday, May 8 6:30-8 PM Where: The Clara Barton Recreation Center on 7425 Macarthur Blvd. in Cabin John, MD What will happen: We will show an hour-long National Paddling Film Fest movie on BIG WATER paddling on China’s Yangtze River which travels almost 4000 miles from its Tibet. There were early attempts to run the Class 5 sections in the 1980s. Several types of unique water craft were developed to run the complex rapids. The film producers provide information on the course/character of the river, interview some of the early explorers, and describe the various peoples/cultures in the canyons/ watersheds. Jill Macneice will round out the meeting talking about our own big river, the Potomac, and how you can help Potomac Riverkeepers improve water quality by helping sample water at sites frequented by paddlers—such as Riley’s Lock and Anglers. www.potomacriverkeepernetwork.org/volunteer/. Cost: FREE

BE AWARE - PREDICTED LEVEL 3.9 ft This Thursday Paddle is also a practice run for CCA‘s Downriver Race, to be run two days later. Meet at Lock 10 at 10:00 to set shuttle, then drive up to Great Falls Tavern, MD for the trek down the Canal to Lock 17 which is Sandy Beach Steps. Depending on the water level, get a taste of what it feels like to launch into the maw of S-Turn, at the predicted 3.9 ft (Little Falls) - accordingly we expect to use the Maryland Channel or S Turn. There is the "Cheat Sheet" for Mather Gorge and one for Anglers to Lock 10. Potomac - Also see the maps of the race course on the CCA website - They are at the top of the Maps Library (under Trip Planning.) This is not a practice race. We shall proceed down the various named rapids, playing wherever we like, Lunch at Offutts Rapid, Take-Out at Lock 10 after a 5-mile run. - Possible to set cars at Carderock. NOTE that the Race will end at Sycamore Island, another (flat) 2.33 miles downstream. Since the take-out there is formidable, we shall omit that last part of the route. Please let me know at dcottingham7@icloud.com that you are coming. (cell: 202 699-1277)

Contact Tom Hackman at tphackma@gmail.com or Gary Quam at gquam64@gmail.com if you would like to coordinate this trip.

Tickets Going Fast For May 11th Fast And Clean Premier! Updated Start time. The Premiere of the newly restored film Fast And Clean will be held the afternoon of Saturday, May 11th at the AFI Theater in Silver Spring Maryland. Updated Agenda is below, (start time moved to help CCA Potomac River Racers get to theater): Friday May 10th, 1pm – Informal Afternoon Paddle at Angler’s Inn, (just show at Angler’s Parking lot.) Friday May 10th, 4pm - ? – Informal Gathering at the Irish Inn at Glen Echo MD, (Formally Travs) Saturday May 11, 7:30 am – Anglers Inn Paddle, (parking terrible if you do it later) Saturday May 11, Morning – CCA’s Annual Potomac River Race Saturday May 11, 3:30 pm-6:30 pm Fast & Clean Premier, AFI Theater in Silver Spring, (please arrive early) Plenty of public parking available. Saturday May 11, 5:50pm – 2nd showing of movie in AFI Theater Silver Spring Saturday May 11, 7:30PM – After-Event Gathering, Brookmont Church Social hall, (we have no idea of attendance, so making it BYOB.) Sunday May 12th – Mother’s Day Fast And Clean follows a group of paddlers attempting to make the US Canoe/Kayak Slalom team to be able to compete in the 1979 World Championships held in Jonquiere, Canada. It captures the essence of the sport in the late 70’s and early 80’s. For paddlers of later generations it inspired them to join and compete in the sport. Russ Nichols, the original producer and a lot of the folks depicted in the film will be attending the Premier. We’re making an effort to identify people in the film to invite, but please pass this on to people you know who might be interested in attending these events. The link for the Tickets is: https://americancanoe.org/fast-and-clean/ (Only 70 tickets left) Tickets will be $25 and will be used to pay for the venue and some food, with any excess funds going to the Slalom Team fund. There are only 200 seats in the theater, so get your ticket early! Jef Huey, Editor & Pro

If interested, contact Lisa Laden at lisaladen@comcast.net.