Chair's Cockpit

By David (Cotton) Cottingham

What wild weather our region has experienced in 2024. After records for heat being broken in many days and months, we experienced an extended fall drought. Since Hurricane Helene passed through our area in late September raising river levels, we've had no rain. The drought makes paddling many smaller whitewater streams out of the question. Little Falls sure has been fun, as I’ve joined CCAers on Thursday outings and pickup trips. Some people are paddling Little Falls multiple times a week. We are indeed fortunate to have various sections of the Potomac available to paddle throughout the year, even in droughts.

Help (Still) Wanted

In the last Cruiser I posted a HELP WANTED request for several key positions. A few members stepped up. Many thanks to those who did. I'm still looking someone to coordinate the CCA advertising program. The job consists of contacting potential advertisers/sponsors for the Cruiser, Roster, and Downriver Race. Diane Hobbs has done an excellent job in that position for several years. Diane has compiled terrific records to assist her successor. This position requires someone who is good at contacting companies and following up with them. 

CCA also could use someone with expertise in financial management to advise the Board about our investment portfolio. CCA Treasurer Marilyn Jones and I recently met with our account manager. I'm simply not knowledgeable about investment options available for a small non-profit like CCA. This position would take no more than an hour or so every six months to review the account and advise the Board.

Hurricane Helene Relief

You've all seen videos of the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene throughout North Carolina and Tennessee communities. The winds and floods changed people's lives and the natural features. At our October Board meeting, the Board created a Hurricane Helene Relief fund and solicited donations from our members. YOU RESPONDED very generously. Thank you for doing that. See the articles about the relief project and the impacts of Helene elsewhere in this Cruiser. 

We are also supporting local river groups and American Whitewater in their efforts to stop the CSX railroad from mining rocks from the Nolichucky River as it rebuilds its track through the canyon there. In what is probably illegal dredging and dynamiting (in fact, AW is suing over this), CSX is changing the riverbed. The Nolichucky has been a prime southeastern paddling destination for many years. It holds a special place for me. I grew up in Greenville, SC, which is not too far from the Chattooga River. Section 3 of the Chatooga was our go-to favorite. The Nolichucky was further away and a bit more challenging in the days of paddling Grumman canoes. My friends and I ventured there occasionally. We loved it. Since moving to the DC area and starting to kayak, I've paddled the Nolichucky several times, but not in many years. The last time I ran it, I enjoyed it as much as ever. Helene changed it forever. We don’t need CSX further changing it.

—Cotton