Chair's Cockpit
By David (Cotton) Cottingham
Looking back at 2024, CCA was quite an active club with opportunities for members and the wider paddling community to paddle local rivers. We had multiple trips every week in the primary paddling season. Participants per trip totaled 1,175. The Annual Potomac Downriver Race had more than 60 racers, including some from the national wildwater racing team. CCA had pool sessions in Takoma Park. CCA members helped new paddlers from Soul Trak Outdoors learn about the joys of paddling in the DC region. And CCA members responded generously to the club's effort to assist people in the Asheville, NC, region devastated by flooding from Hurricane Helene (see separate article in this Cruiser).
The holiday party was a tremendous success. Ed Gertler exceeded his typical excellent programming standards by showing the remastered "Fast and Clean," a film about the racing season leading up to the 1979 World Championships. He even arranged with featured paddlers and the director and producer to attend. The question and answer session allowed the former racers to tell tales on each other and their coach. Having them attend was a real treat. (See photos elsewhere in this Cruiser.)
Looking ahead, 2025 promises to be even better. Plans are underway for the 70th consecutive Downriver Race. Risa Shimoda, Chair of the Downriver Race Committee, has already met with the planning team. Rolando Arrieta, CCA Safety Committee Chair, has planned many activities for paddlers to participate in both paddling and first aid skills. Gary Steinberg, CCA Instruction Committee Co-chair, has also worked with committee members to offer many classes for people to improve their paddling skills. (See separate articles on safety and instruction plans.)
CCA is looking into ways improve and increase our social media presence. A group of knowledgeable members is exploring options. Other paddling clubs use apps like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and WhatsApp to spread the word about activities. CCA has a Facebook page and YouTube channel. But we rely much more on traditional email blasts. Be on the lookout for more on this as the group develops options to augment notifications to members.
CCA is a volunteer-run organization. It depends on members to become involved in whatever aspect of the club fits their interest and expertise. If you have an idea of an activity or program that you think other club members would enjoy, please speak up.
Hope to see you on a river in 2025.
—Cotton