53TH
RUNNING OF CCA POTOMAC DOWNRIVER RACE
SATURDAY, MAY 17,
2008
By V. Star Mitchell, Co-Race Chair
What race do you know of that has lasted consecutively for 53
years? The 53rd running
of the CCA Potomac Downriver Race hosted by Sycamore Island will be Saturday,
May 17th. COME AND BE A PART OF MORE THAN A HALF-CENTURY OF LIVING HISTORY AND PADDLE
THE RACE! JOIN THE
FUN!
The pre-registration fee is only $15 if received by May 10th! Obtain a registration form from www.sycamoreisland.org. or www.canoecruisers.org. Follow the instructions for mailing. At registration the fee is $25. Tandem teams pay as individuals UNLESS they are a parent and child. A parent and child (under age 18) go for $15 a boat pre-registered and $25 a boat at the sign-in. Liability forms must be signed on race day.
The race begins at Rocky Island on the Potomac River just above Wet Bottom Rapid and goes for 7.5 miles to Sycamore Island. At the end of the race, a free T-shirt and a free lunch will be given to all workers and racers, and there will be a ceremony with awards and prizes for the winners. (If you DO NOT attend the ceremony, do not expect to receive the above! No awards will be mailed!)
Sign-in begins at 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at Great Falls Inn (Maryland) followed by a mandatory meeting for all racers. If the river is over 5 feet, the race will start at Old Anglers Inn. This is a race for anyone from the pros to parent/child tandem teams, but this is NOT A NOVICE race. All participants should have experience in and be comfortable with up to Class III rapids. Any kind of a boat can enter provided it is properly outfitted with adequate floatation (air bags) and the paddlers (and all occupants of the boat) are wearing a helmet and a PFD (life jacket).
If you plan to paddle the race, PLEASE
PRE-REGISTER to help with our head-count for how many T-shirts and
lunches we need to order. Please DO
NOT bring two cars to the race.
Parking is a problem. A
shuttle will be provided.
VOLUNTEER helpers are needed for safety boats and for helping at the registration at Great Falls and at the finish at Sycamore Island. Volunteers will receive the gratitude of the racers, a sense of participating in an important annual river event, a race T-shirt, and lunch. Anyone interested in helping out with this year’s race should call Star Mitchell @301-530-3252 or e-mail starmitchell@verizon.net. DO JOIN THE FUN!!