CCA 2025 Safety News You Can Use
By Rolo Arrieta, CCA Safety Chair
It's been nearly a year since I volunteered as CCA’s Safety Chair, and I am excited to share some of our safety programs for the upcoming paddling season.
One of my tasks this past year was to form a Safety Committee. I'd like to thank Alf Cooley, Tom Hackman, Rachel Kaplan, Wes Kungel, Laura Kurup, and Ryan Morrow for volunteering to be on the committee.
I look forward to partnering with Jen Sass, who provides second-to-none safety leadership, during the 70th Annual Downriver Race in May.
In the meantime, join Tom, Laura, and Ryan at the Takoma Park pool rolling session to practice basic safety drills, including, but not limited to, aggressive/passive swimming, swimming with a water-filled boat and paddle, hand-of-God rescues, and other drills. These practice drills are included in the pool rolling fee and will be on these Tuesdays: 1/28, 2/18, 2/25, and 3/11.
Back by popular demand, we are hosting Charlie Duffy's free river safety workshop on Saturday, March 22, at the Carderock Pavilion. Affectionately known as SOOT (Staying Out Of Trouble), this half-day workshop will cover safety basics on the river, including before-and-after planning. [Registration]
CCA will offer a Wilderness First Aid for Paddlers course for the first time in many years at a discounted rate of $150. In partnership with Campaign Pay It Forward, the two-day training—led by WEMT-certified instructor Charlie Duffy—will take place at the Carter Baron Rec Center April 12-13. Space is limited, and the class will open to non-members in mid-March. [Registration]
CCA trip coordinators are highly encouraged to take a Wilderness First Aid course.
As part of CCA's commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, the club is thrilled to support Swiftwater Rescue for Women and Gender Expansive Individuals. CCA applauds the efforts of Jordan Taylor of Paddlesport Institute, who is working in partnership with Calleva to offer this course. Visit the PSI website for more about the course and this unprecedented opportunity for the paddling community.
Consider signing up for a course or renewing your safety skills if you have not taken one in the past two years. Local schools have agreed to offer CCA members discounts, grants, and/or scholarships. Please contact them directly for details.
We are fortunate to have abundant local resources to sign up for a course. CCA will pay $75 of the cost if you take a Wilderness First Aid or Swiftwater Rescue course and coordinate at least two trips this year.
If you are interested in being a trip coordinator, please contact Gary and Ginny Quam at trips@canoecruisers.org.
For planning purposes, here is a clearinghouse of ACA-sanctioned Swiftwater Rescue and River Safety courses in the DMV area from spring through mid-June, in addition to the Wilderness First Aid course mentioned above.
March 1 - 2
School: Paddlesport Institute/Calleva
Course: Intermediate Swiftwater Rescue
Contact: Jordan Taylor
March 15 - 16
School: Paddlesport Institute/Calleva
Course: Intermediate PLUS SWIFTWATER Rescue
Contact: Jordan Taylor
March 22 - 23
School: Paddlesport Institute
Course: ADVANCED Swiftwater Rescue
Contact: Jordan Taylor
May 24 - 25
School: Paddlesport Institute
Course: Swiftwater Rescue for Women and Gender Expansive Paddlers
Contact: Jordan Taylor
June 14 - 15
School: Potomac Paddlesports
Course: ACA Level 4 Swiftwater Rescue
Contact: Eli Geisenberger
June 21
School: CKAPCO
Course: ACA Level 3 River Safety and Rescue Skills Workshop
Contact: Mike Aronoff
Check the American Canoe Association's Safety and Rescue Course Calendar for information about other river safety and rescue courses in your area.
Lastly, I would love to renew my request to hear from you. What would you like to see more of? All ideas on developing more safety programs and workshops and sharing safety best practices, tips and tricks, and dos and don’ts are welcome. Please email them to safety@canoecruisers.org.
As we venture into the 2025 paddling season, let’s commit to being stewards of safety and making it our number one priority.
For more information and/or to register
CCA Staying Out of Trouble Workshop
Wilderness First Aid for Paddlers
Swiftwater Rescue for Women and Gender Expansive Individuals
ACA Safety and Rescue Course Calendar
Calleva
CKAPCO
Paddlesport Institute
Potomac Paddlesports