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Safety Work-Out on the GW Loop - Thursday Paddlers...
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Safety Work-Out on the GW Loop

Six, including our convener Miki, showed up at Violettes Lock to review our kit of skills at rescuing our fellow paddlers (and ourselves) from nasty situations.  Paul Mohler was the sole non-Decemvir; otherwise we were Tim T, Wayne McD, Ron Kn, and Alf C.   Level was 3.0 down at Little Falls; temps were 88 degrees (air), 86 (water).

Miki first checked who had had the Swift Water Rescue class (all but one – albeit some rather a long time ago), and then gave us a run for our money, with ample opportunity to surf every wave we cared to.   She reviewed the hierarchies of safety – self, our group, bystanders – then the victim, and took us through paddle and hand signals on the river.  The piece de resistance was moving as a group of six across a strongly flowing branch of the GW Canal as a series of human cannonballs in the form of 7-year-old Calleva kids bounced down the rapids at our side.  We observed their safety procedures, then proceeded into the Potomac, with Miki and Paul attaining up the Seneca Breaks as Tim and Alf, with only slightly less effort, parted the hydrilla in returning via the C&O Canal.  In all, great practice and a timely reminder of the safety component of all our trips.  Next work-out we’re hoping to hold at the Chutes.

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