Chair's Cockpit

By Hugh Hilliard

When Cruiser Editor Larry Lempert asked me to prepare my initial contribution to the Chair's Cockpit, my first thought was to wonder how it obtained that name, since many of us—including Larry—paddle open boats with no cockpit, and some of us stand on paddleboards. But since I usually paddle in a kayak, the name suits me just fine. So here goes.

Thanks to the Nominating Committee and CCA members for putting your trust in me to serve as Chair. I've spent much of the past few weeks getting to know many of you and gaining a better understanding of how the organization functions. David (Cotton) Cottingham, Barb Brown, and others before them have brought the club along to where it is today, and I'm very grateful for their service, and hope to build upon their accomplishments.

I've gained a much better appreciation for all the committee chairs, committee members, and other volunteers who do so much to help CCA fulfill its mission, including (among other tasks): 

• planning trips, events, instructional sessions, and programs; 
• addressing topics such as instruction, safety, river access, and conservation; 
• managing the membership rolls; 
• keeping track of our finances; 
• taking notes at our meetings; 
• maintaining and improving the website; and
• keeping the archives.

Thanks to everyone who chips in to make CCA what it is today and will be tomorrow!

70^th Anniversary

CCA celebrates its 70^th anniversary this year (confusingly, the first Potomac Downriver Race occurred before the club was formed, so it celebrated its 70^th anniversary last year). We plan to incorporate recognition of this anniversary into many of our communications and activities this year (starting with the email delivering this Cruiser). Barb Brown (as Archivist), together with Keith Edmondson (Historian) and Alf Cooley, will be helping to document some of CCA's history and communicating it in various ways. Perhaps we should propose something like the sculpture below to be constructed at Riley's lock to commemorate this anniversary. 😀

Welcome New Steering Committee Members

Two new members have joined the Steering Committee for two-year terms. Pam White, who has done a great job handling advertising, agreed to join, as did Grace Hassler, who has contributed to CCA's social media outreach efforts. They will join continuing Steering Committee members Laura Kurup, Ryan Morrow, and Peter Ryan. Bringing their experience—both on and off the river—and their talents, these five individuals will provide valuable advice to me and the other officers throughout the year. And many thanks to Alan Gale and Hildy Ferraiolo, who served on the Steering Committee during the 2024-2025 term.

Changing of the Guard for Trips

Kudos to Ginny and Gary Quam, who have stepped down as Trips Co-Chairs after serving for five years. Their work, in cooperation with the coordinators of Thursday, Sunday, Weekend, Wednesday, and Family paddling events, led to a record number of participants in CCA trips last year. Thanks, Ginny and Gary! And welcome Rolando Arrieta and Ryan Morrow, who have accepted the challenge to serve as Trips Co-Chairs this year. They have some great ideas for expanding our trip offerings and serving the interests of a diverse range of paddlers, so I'm expecting another great—and even better—year for CCA-coordinated trips.

Events for 2026

Work has already started on some events for 2026, and CCA members have suggested others. Please pass along any ideas you have for club activities and, especially, volunteer to coordinate trips or help out with events. Some of the offerings include these:

• Tom Hackman has organized weekly rolling sessions during the first three months of the year at Piney Branch Elementary School, and this year Rolando Arrietta coordinated a promotion to encourage new paddlers to become CCA members and receive a free rolling session with instruction.
• Risa Shimoda has kicked off planning for the Potomac Downriver Race, scheduled for May 9, and has lined up a great team of volunteers.
• Tom Hackman and Lynn Miller are planning a Spring meeting and picnic, tentatively scheduled for late/May or early June.
• Rolando Arrieta and Ryan Morrow are starting to develop plans for trips during the year, including some enhanced offerings, and they would welcome proposals for additional trips or volunteers for trip coordinators. Please reach out to them or to the coordinators for various types of trips: Mark Brenneman (Thursdays); Wayne McDaniel (Sundays); Tom Hackman (Weekends); Dean Hawes (Wednesdays); and Nathan Williamson (Family). We also can consider coordinated CCA participation in various events, such as the Stonycreek festival, or races, such as the Lehigh Classic and Red Moshannon, and would welcome ideas and trip coordinators for these. And Peter Ryan will coordinate skills sessions on the Potomac on Tuesday mornings at Lock 6 and afternoons/evenings at Anglers. 
• Gary Steinberg and Mark Wray are working on a schedule for instructional sessions and would appreciate suggestions as well as offers to serve as instructors. 
• Kathleen Sengstock plans to organize CCA participation in one or two river cleanups, such as one coordinated with Alice Ferguson Foundation near the confluence of the Potomac and Anacostia rivers, and perhaps one at Pennyfield Lock or Algonkian Regional Park in the Spring.
• We can expect the usual Fall Picnic at Riley's Lock.
• The annual meeting will be in December. There have been suggestions for enhanced food offerings, and Ed Gertler is working on a program focused on CCA history in commemoration of the 70^th anniversary. 

With the help of so many dedicated leaders and members, I'm looking forward to a full plate of CCA events during the year and to seeing as many of you as possible on the river, in the pool, or at social events. And I'm calling on all members to enhance our coordination and communication with the local paddling community at large and to encourage people you see on the river to join CCA and participate in our activities.