Events - Month View

(posted 27 July) Barb is coordinating a trip out to the Middle Youghiehenny (sp?) - an beginner (Cl. I+) stretch of the fabled river running from Confluence to Ohiopyle in SW Penna. Please let me know if you‘re interested in coming - - - - -
- - - We shall meet at Myersville (MD) McDonalds at 7:30 to consolidste boats, thinking to reach the river by 10 and put in by 11. - - - -

Happy to set up carpools for those coming from left field. - - -

Barb - 301 765-9115 PotomacB@@verizon.net

For those interested in staying closer to home, we will also run a trip on the Needles section of the Potomac. We will meet at the Guide House Grill (aka Cindy Dee‘s) at 10:00. Wayne McDaniel is coordinating; please advise if you plan to join (macinmd1@gmail.com, 443 542 8779).

Larry Lempert will coordinate a Lower Yough day trip, aiming to meet at the put-in at 11:00 a.m., with possible rendezvousing en route depending on who‘s coming and from where. Please email Larry at Larry.7313@verizon.net if you‘d like to join this trip, and include this information: your mobile phone number, where you‘ll be starting from, and whether you‘re interested in carpooling or would prefer to meet the group at the put-in.. - - - To receive email notification contact thursdaypaddlers@canoecruisers.org.

Swift Water Rescue (SWR) topics include preparation and planning to avoid incidents, self-rescue, wading, swimming, ropework, and scene and group management. Students must be comfortable paddling Class II whitewater.
Students are responsible for their own gear- PFD, helmet, boat, paddle, skirt, flotation. If you have your own rescue gear (throw rope, pin kit, first aid kit), bring it. Instructors will check gear and provide guidance. If you don‘t have rescue gear, we suggest trying the club‘s gear and then making informed purchases after class. The class is two long days, combining classroom (outdoors), land-based, and in-water exercises. The class is strenuous, particularly the in-water exercises. Lead instructors are ACA certified. Class size is very limited and typically fills up fast, so register early to get a spot. All registrations must be done on-line; unregistered folks who show up on the day of the class cannot be accommodated.

Swift Water Rescue (SWR) topics include preparation and planning to avoid incidents, self-rescue, wading, swimming, ropework, and scene and group management. Students must be comfortable paddling Class II whitewater.
Students are responsible for their own gear- PFD, helmet, boat, paddle, skirt, flotation. If you have your own rescue gear (throw rope, pin kit, first aid kit), bring it. Instructors will check gear and provide guidance. If you don‘t have rescue gear, we suggest trying the club‘s gear and then making informed purchases after class. The class is two long days, combining classroom (outdoors), land-based, and in-water exercises. The class is strenuous, particularly the in-water exercises. Lead instructors are ACA certified. Class size is very limited and typically fills up fast, so register early to get a spot. All registrations must be done on-line; unregistered folks who show up on the day of the class cannot be accommodated.

Tim Tilson will lead the Sunday paddle this week. The trip will be the Violette’s Lock Loop. Met at the Violette’s Lock parking Lot at 9:00 a.m. The river is predicted to be 3.2 which is getting a little low so some spots may be “boney”. The weather is predicted to be in the mid 80s. Change of rain under 10%. Contact Tim at hmslydia@msn.com or via land line at 703-273-9436. Cell phone -after 0800 Sunday AM - is 703-864-0802.

(3 Aug, 7:30 AM) Meet at the the Guide House Grill (the former Cindy Dee restaurant) at 1:00 to cross load for the Bakerton put in. - - -
We‘ve got a fine crew for Sunday, so far a dozen by my count:
Dean and Lori Geiss, John Snitzer, Chip Walsh, Beth Koller, Bob Whiting, Hendrik van Oss, Gary and Ginny Quam, Craig Wolfe, Dave Newsome, and yours truly.
Some of us (Chip, Dean and Lori, and I) plan to meet at the Brunswick boat ramp at noon to cross load and join the rest of the crew at Cindy Dee‘s, giving ourselves an option for a longer trip down to Brunswick. Join us for that stretch if you want. If you haven‘t run down to Brunswick before, be aware that it takes a few hours and involves paddling a few miles of moving flatwater. If you plan to make the run down to Brunswick, please let me know to help make coordinate drivers and rack space.

Word is that HFAC now has a brew pub overlooking the river, so it‘s a great option for to have a brew and a burger on the deck there after taking out there, which is tempting to me. Using HFAC involve checking in at their HQ‘s to get a wrist band for a ride back up the hill, pay a $5 fee, and sign a waiver form.

For those who are not yet registered in the HFAC system, you can save us time there by completing the waiver form using this link:
https://waiver.smartwaiver.com/w/58bf1c2440dd3/web/

I figure we‘ll be OTR by 2:00, so we can take our time to play on this short trip.

HFAC wants everyone to take out by 6:00, so it‘s probably best to aim for 5:30 or so to avoid traffic at the HFAC take out. Expect to be running a slalom course through hundreds of tubers, and maybe help reunite a swimmer or two with their tubes.

The forecast is great. Mostly sunny with a high of 86, mild north wind, with a chance of a passing shower or Tstorm. The Millville gauge is now at 2.2, so I expect low water on Needles/Po too.

I have most of your phone #s if there‘s a glitch. My cell # is 202-549-3433.

Its been delightful, so again :
Wednesday Night Clubs Paddle: Violette‘s Lock

- - - - - - - - -

Let‘s do the Violett‘s Lock loop again this week. No shuttle required, minimal carries. Meet there at 6 PM for a 6:30 put in. Violets Lock is at the end of Violett‘s Lock Rd., which crosses River Rd. about 14 miles west of I 495............For the past few decades there has been a regular Wednesday Night Paddle, sponsored by the various local clubs (CCA originally I believe). We usually start around May, and continue into September’s early sun downs. Normally, we do Angler’s to Lock 10 (first one inside the beltway, Maryland side for you newbies), sometimes the Violette’s Lock loop, and then Little Falls in late summer when the gauge gets below 2.8. We meet at 5:45 PM , preferably a bit earlier (at Lock 10), to consolidate boats, then leave there at 6 PM to put in at Angler’s by 6:30. This is usually a class II+, practiced novice run. Ideal for people who have been starting with winter pool sessions. You do not have to belong to a club to come, but we will encourage you to join one (CCA,BRV,MCC), or more. You need basic safety skills such as some degree of boat control, ability to wet exit, and a willingness to follow occasional directions. All need to wear PFDs and helmets (open boaters put em on in the rapids). Boats should have air bags to facilitate recovery. Throw bags, cell phones, flashlights, and whistles are nice. There are usually quite a few experienced boaters willing to teach you some stuff and rescue you (and me) if needed. I post the plan for each week on the MCC message board (Paddle Prattle) late Tuesday or early Wednesday. I sign as “Mikey B”.

Location TBD. - - - To receive email notification for this and other Thursday Paddles, please contact thursdaypaddlers@canoecruisers.org.

Free! Donations appreciated.

The next race in the President of the Potomac series!

All whitewater craft welcome.

Course: The course is level-dependent. See the Facebook Facebook event for the latest information.

9:00 AM Sign Waivers & Race/Safety Briefing
10:00 AM Race Start
Staging Location: C&O Canal Lock 5 parking lot
Parking: Lock 5 lot; Lock 6 lot; Brookmont neighborhood (access across Clara Barton Parkway via either the pedestrian bridge or the designated crosswalk)
Awards Ceremony: Take Out, immediately following race

All participants will be required to sign ACA liability release waivers. Parents must sign waivers for minors. If you are a member of the ACA, please bring your membership number. If not, please consider joining!

General race and course description:
-- - After registration and safety meeting at Lock 5, all racers will head to the put-in, paddle up the canal, *paddle down Z-channel, and to the start below the rubble dam on river right. This is an on-water mass start race BY CATEGORY! At the start racers will line up facing up river. On the whistle/bell racers will turn around and proceed down river. At each of the 4 markers (see map & photos) racers will pass the marker on the outside of the marker (this means you will be between the marker and the riverbank). For markers 1, 3, and 4, you will be on the right and the marker will be on your left. For marker 2, you will be on left and the marker will be on your right. The finish will be at the take out eddy immediately below the concrete platform on river left. Official times will not be kept, only finish order.
http://potomacfestival.org/lfr.html

Meet promptly at Lock 10 at 8:30 to set shuttle - then drive boats up to Anglers. - - - - - To receive email notification for future trips, contact trips@canoecruisers.org.

We meet at 6:00 PM at Anglers, Violettes, Little Falls, or somewhere else, depending on water levels. Check Paddle Prattle for updates.

This Thursday Mark Brenneman will coordinate a paddle on Little Falls. The level is projected to be 3.0’. Meet at Lock 5 at 10:30 or on the Feeder Canal at 11:00 ready to paddle for those who prefer to park at Lock 6. Anyone who wants to takeout at Fletcher’s should let Mark know and he will match them up with others to arrange a shuttle. Please email Mark at mabrenneman@verizon.net if you plan to join this trip. He can also be reached on his cell at 240-343-0096. ----

To receive email notification of future Thursday Paddles please contact thursdaypaddlers@canoecruisers.org.

The 31st Annual Great Falls Race details are posted to the Potomac Festival website. Announcements will be posted on their Facebook event page. Keep an eye out for registration and more information. The Potomac River Festival will again be held at Rockwood Manor. This will be their third year at this location.

(Updated Aug. 7) This year’s full moon gathering will be held at Mike and Daryl Martin’s place on Aug. 17, starting after 5 p.m. Folks are encouraged to paddle nearby (Violettes Lock is about ten minutes away) earlier during the day.

Please RSVP to Mark Wray by Thurs. Aug. 15. at 703-395-6061 or folks can email him at redshoestwo@juno.com. Mike and Daryl’s address is 18811 Darnestown Rd. Poolesville, MD. (240-489-3379 or 202-549-3433). Please park on the lawn, and feel free have a dip in their pool.

BRV provides fried chicken, beverages and cutlery. Please give Mark $5.00 per person, and please see below on what else to bring. .

Please bring enough the following for eight people based on the first letter of your last name. - - - -

A-G: salads, uncooked veggies, fruit dishes - - -

H-N: desserts, snacks - - -

O-Z: pasta, casserole, cooked veggies, rice, etc. - - - -

Do bring serving utensils for your dish, if needed, along with a camp chair if you like. Non BRV members welcome.

(posted 8 Aug) Needles section of the Potomac from Bakerton to HFAC near 340 with option to t.o. at Brunswick.
Meeting at HFAC at 11. Please let me know by Fri. if you are coming. Log in for contact info.
- - - -
Those interested in paddling to Brunswick are welcome to set up a shuttle.

Location TBD. To receive email notification contact trips@canoecruisers.org.

Paddling Experience: Minimum – can execute basic strokes (forward, sweep, draw, etc.) on non-moving water. Preferred – some experience on moving water doing eddy turns, peel-outs, ferries. Location: To be announced, within 1.5 hours of the DC area, dependent on water levels. We will paddle and practice skills on a river with Class 2 and maybe easy Class 3 rapids. Equipment: Whitewater kayak with floatation, spray-skirt, paddle, coast guard approved PFD, helmet. Based on curriculum from the American Canoe Association (ACA), this class will help you get comfortable in running and playing rivers with Class 2 and easy Class 3 rapids. Skill practice will include eddy turns, peel-outs, ferries, potentially surfing & attaining. Bring lunch, water and other personal gear. Look forward to having a great time and learning experience. Also see: American Canoe Association Level 3: River Kayaking

The Sunday paddlers will return to Violettes Lock this week to run the George Washington Canal via the C&O Canal loop. The Little Falls gauge is projected at 3.1‘ and steady, which means that a couple of waves that have been MIA for the past two years should be back in play. Weather forecast is sunny and high in the mid 90s so bring plenty of water and sunscreen. Lifejackets are required and, for kayakers, helmets and sprayskirts are highly recommended; please advise if you need safety equipment. We will meet at Violettes Lock at 9:00 to put in. I am coordinating this week - please advise me (macinmd1@gmail.com, 443 542 8779) if you plan to join or just drop in.
?
SYOTR,
Wayne McD

We have had some beautiful evenings up at Violette‘s. Let‘s return to Angler‘s to Lock 10 this week. The gauge has dropped a bit which makes this run more fun. For the past few decades there has been a regular Wednesday Night Paddle, sponsored by the various local clubs (CCA originally I believe). We usually start around May, and continue into September’s early sun downs. Normally, we do Angler’s to Lock 10 (first one inside the beltway, Maryland side for you newbies), sometimes the Violette’s Lock loop, and then Little Falls in late summer when the gauge gets below 2.8. We meet at 5:45 PM , preferably a bit earlier (at Lock 10), to consolidate boats, then leave there at 6 PM to put in at Angler’s by 6:30. This is usually a class II+, practiced novice run. Ideal for people who have been starting with winter pool sessions. You do not have to belong to a club to come, but we will encourage you to join one (CCA,BRV,MCC), or more. You need basic safety skills such as some degree of boat control, ability to wet exit, and a willingness to follow occasional directions. All need to wear PFDs and helmets (open boaters put em on in the rapids). Boats should have air bags to facilitate recovery. Throw bags, cell phones, flashlights, and whistles are nice. There are usually quite a few experienced boaters willing to teach you some stuff and rescue you (and me) if needed. I post the plan for each week on the MCC message board (Paddle Prattle) late Tuesday or early Wednesday. I sign as “Mikey B”.

Larry has stepped up to the plate and is headed to LF, which is now projected to be at 3.0’. Please Let Larry know you‘re coming If the level is higher (e.g., 3.2’) Tim may lead an Anglers to L10 trip, TBD.

To receive email notification of future Thursday Paddles please contact thursdaypaddlers@canoecruisers.org.

(posted 18 July, updated 22 Aug, bis) - - -
For the Saturday August 24 Bloomington run, the role of the primary co-ordinator has been switched to Beth Koller from Zofia. Tentatively, we will meet at the take-out at 10:30 AM. - - - - - - If you want to meet in Meyersville at the Park and Ride to consolidate, share cars, and otherwise pre-load boats for the shuttle, let Beth know. For both the Saturday and Sunday trips and the Saturday Meyersville meet-up, contact Beth prior to Friday evening by phone 240-506-0417. Please note that this is not a scheduled whitewater release, but we expect to have 1,000 cfs from Saturday 10 AM to Sunday 10 AM.

(posted 15 Aug, rev. 22 Aug, bis) For the Sunday August 25 Bloomington run, the plans are to drop one or two cars at the take-out and to complete the shuttle after the run because the 24 hour release will continue only until 10 AM Sunday. We plan to meet very early. No late add-ons because of the time constraints. Contact Beth prior to Friday evening by phone 240-506-0417 regarding the exact time.

Tim Tilson will lead the Sunday morning trip on Violettes Lock. We will meet at VL at 9:00 am. The level will be around 3.1 or so. Please let Tim know if you are coming. The weather promises to be delightful. He can be reached via cell phone 703-864-0802, only after 8:00am Sunday morning.

(updated 22 Aug) THIS TRIP IS FULL, (Black Oak access near McCoole, MD to Pinto, MD 9.5 miles)

We have permission to use the Pinto t.o. and have been advised that 4WD is likely necessary due to mud. Also, private RR Xing of the farm road is extremely steep. I will check it out on Friday so we can plan the shuttle accordingly.

Meet at the Black Oak Put-in access at 10; please let me know by Thursday 22nd if you plan to come. Login for contact info.
For those coming from the MD/DC area - AlfCooley@gmail.com / 703-442-7935 will meet people and cross-load at Meyersville McDonalds at 8:00 sharp/ready to go. Please let him know you‘re coming. His cell on Sunday only: 703 963-5998.

Based on curriculum from the American Canoe Association (ACA), this class will help you get comfortable with your kayak and the water surrounding it. Expect to get wet as we go through the basic strokes for maneuvering your boat and then proceed to more advanced strokes and boat handling. We will purposefully overturn our boats to practice wet exits and rescue skills. The weather will probably be hot, so a dip in the water should feel refreshing. However, be prepared for exerting yourself in the heat and bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, water and possibly a snack for breaks. Look forward to having a great time and learning experience!

Please send agenda items to Barb or Jen Sass, Secretary: sass.jen@gmail.com Please let Barb know if you are coming.

We meet at 6:00 PM at Anglers, Violettes, Little Falls, or somewhere else, depending on water levels. Check Paddle Prattle for updates.

Location TBD. - 0- - To receive email notifications of this and other Thursday Paddles, please contact thursdaypaddlers@canoecruisers.org.