Soul Trak Award Recognizes CCA for Whitewater Boost
At its recent 5K race and fundraising celebration, Soul Trak Outdoors founder and Executive Director Tyrhee Moore and Program Coordinator Junko Taniguchi honored CCA with its first-ever Soul Trak Champions Award for CCA's work to get the Soul Trak whitewater kayaking program up and running. Junko specifically cited the work of Risa Shimoda, Rolo Arrieta, and David (Cotton) Cottingham to increase diversity of the whitewater paddling community. Junko congratulated CCA in the following:
The Soul Trak Champions Award celebrates an exceptional partner whose unwavering dedication and outstanding contributions have significantly enhanced our mission to diversify the outdoors. This award is a testament to the exemplary partnership and collaboration established and the impact achieved together.
This year, Soul Trak is awarding the Champions Award to David Cottingham, Risa Shimoda, Rolando Arrieta, and the Canoe Cruisers Association. Through their steadfast support, they have played an instrumental role in advancing our shared goals, amplifying our impact, and empowering communities of color to enter into a new space in the outdoors. Their passion, expertise, and generosity have been instrumental in the creation of Soul Trak's Whitewater Kayaking programs. These individuals were key advocates for Soul Trak and helped to launch the inaugural Introduction to Whitewater class. The Canoe Cruisers welcomed new paddlers to join their pool sessions, provided their own personal gear for people to borrow, and have even completed a whitewater instructor certification class on their own time to ensure they are well equipped to volunteer for this year's Introduction to Whitewater class. Their passion for whitewater kayaking is contagious, and through their generosity and commitment to this program Soul Trak is able to introduce whitewater kayaking to new paddlers of color in the DMV.
Join us in celebrating David, Risa, and Rolo as recipients of Soul Trak's 2024 Champions Award.
CCA introduced Soul Trak to Ashley McEwan at Calleva and helped Soul Trak participants with Calleva's introductory kayak classes. CCA also invited Soul Trak to attend CCA's pool sessions in Takoma Park. More than 20 Soul Trak paddlers attended CCA pool sessions for which CCA members rounded up boats, PFDs, and paddles for Soul Trak. Pool session coordinator Ron Ray was a hero, navigating the online signup coordination. Gary Steinberg, Lynn Miller, Ron Ray, and other CCAers pitched in to make these sessions informative and fun. Several of the pool session participants have signed up for Calleva's Soul Trak whitewater kayaking classes this July.
On behalf of CCA, Cotton congratulated Soul Trak leadership on their enthusiasm and experience getting people of color outdoors. Partnering with Calleva is absolutely essential to getting good training for new paddlers. The Soul Trak/Calleva/CCA partnership is exemplary. I hope it continues for many years.