60th Annual Potomac Downriver Race!

On Saturday, May 16th, NORSA paddlers Steve and Adam joined 42 other whitewater paddlers in the 60th running of the Potomac Downriver Race. Starting in Mather's Gorge right below Rocky Island, the racers took off in groups of 5-6 down the Potomac River to the finish line at Sycamore Island. At a relatively slow level of 3.5 ft, the racers slogged through a fair bit of flatwater, however they still enjoyed some excitement navigating the DC whitewater staples of Wet Bottom, Maryland Chute, Yellow Falls, and Stubblefield Falls. The hot sun proved itself a greater burden than the rapids; fortunately The Sycamore Island Club hosted a refreshing post-race party.

Results:
Steve: 1:14:25; 13th overall; 3rd in class (K1 Short); 3rd in age group.
Adam: 1:15:23; 16th overall; 10th in class (K1 Long); 4th in age group.

Start of the first wave.
Steve: #42 (third from right).
Adam: #39 (fourth from right)

2015 Cheat Downriver Race!

On May 1, 2015, veteran NORSA paddlers Steven and Adam, joined by NORSA newcomer Tom A, participated in the annual Cheat Downriver Race.  Billed as the largest mass-start downriver race (thus gaining the nickname, the "Massacre-ence"), over 160 paddlers raced down the 11 mile Cheat Canyon en mass, over and through continuous class III-IV rapids, including the notorious "Big Nasty," "High Falls," "Colliseum", and "Pete Morgan."

Adam:

The NORSA team had been training all winter long for this day, braving 20 degree days on a frozen Potomac river, high spring flows, and long weekend drives out to the Cheat and N. Branch of the Potomac.  Having had only run the Cheat once before, the NORSA veterans teamed up with Liquid Adventures' "Cheat Training" - a rite of passage for many DC paddlers - for weekday evening attaining and weekend downriver racing practices.

Steve:

The spring of 2015 was fortunately beset with weekly rains that kept the rivers flowing swiftly.  Come race day, the Cheat was at its lowest level all season.  At 5 PM, the racers lined up at the old washed out bridge in Albright, WV.  The NORSA racers were startled by the horn signaling the start of the race, and had to work their way up the pack.  As soon as they entered Decision rapid, the team was well on their way - gaining ground on the pack and giving up few spots for the remainder of the race.  The lower water level led to a slower race, with some changes in the rapids - BigNasty wasn't so big and nasty; Pete Morgan featured a new, giant hole in the run-out.

Tom:

An hour and a half and 11 miles later, after a couple flips, some unintentional surfing, and one swim, Team NORSA crossed the finish line under the Jenkinsburg Bridge, all within a few minutes of each other and comfortably in the top 1/3 of the pack, with a 10th place finish for TeamNORSA.  The racers celebrated with a rousing post-race party back in Albright, and as of the next morning were already looking forward to next year's MASSACRE-ENCE!

Results!

Potomac River: Fun Due to Matt White's Absence

Due to the torrential downpour of three rain drops in the mid-morning Washington DC area, Team NORSA's impromptu initiation Potomac kayaking and canoeing tour for Justin Kahrl lost notorious slugabed and member-in-poor-standing Matt White to a case of chronic fatigue syndrome and agoraphobia. Nick Douglas ably stepped in and took photos on his iPhone...which is something Matt White does not own.

Veterans Steven L. and Tom gave Justin a useful primer on making a wet exit of a kayak despite the presence of a copperhead snake. Matt White would normally have started off the trip on a down note by calling into question the wisdom of boating in such waters. Good thing he was picking out pillows at Bed, Bath, & Beyond instead!

From there, Team NORSA proceeded down river, blissfully unburdened by White's somber mood and fun-last priorities. First stop: rope-swing. Douglas chose not to get wet in an effort to mimic White. The rest of us swam about in the rapids, chatting with the at-risk youth group that had built a small fire and appeared to be smoking marijuana. Good thing Matt White was eating crumpets and watching Wimbledon rather than saying something stupid to start a fight.

Next, Team NORSA stopped on an island that, being tall and white, might just have come to be known 'Matt Island' if only he were present. But thank heaven he wasn't, because he would totally have nixed the rock-skipping and firework lighting that followed.

In short, a good time was had by all because Matt White did not show up. Thank you Matt White.

Sunday Afternoon Hiking on the Billy Goat Trail

On Sunday, January 11th, NORSA members gathered to hike the Billy Goat Trail along the Maryland side of the Potomac River. Steven Splitek, who is preparing for the Bataan Death March Memorial Marathon in March, was the impetus behind the trip, and carried a rucksack with 35 lbs of text books and water along the hike. Joining him on the trip and starting off down the C&O Canal Towpath to the trailhead by Old Angler's Inn were Matt White, Nora Hoffman, Tom Saffell, and NORSA newcomer, Emily Paladino.

Despite the trailheads being closed for flooding, the troop was not discouraged and checked all three trail entrances to be certain the trail was actually closed. The third trailhead was open and it turns out that the park stewards had merely forgotten to remove the trail closure cordons from earlier flooding that had since receded. Despite the chilly weather, the hike was pleasant and provided the NORSA folks with some very nice views of the river, some cold-weather kayakers, and some interesting wildlife including a deer, some beautiful avian specimens, and various other critters.

The Billy Goat Trail is a moderately challenging day hike that takes hikers, wanderers, trailrunners, and explorers over easy trail, rock scrambles, rock climbs, and stream crossings. The most difficult portion of the trail is certainly the 45-foot rock climb that can be traversed either up or down depending on which trailhead one chooses to begin the hike. This hike is a quick and easy half-day affair at most and is easy to follow with its distinctive light blue blazes amply laid out along the trail. This short and sweet little event will certainly be occurring again and again in the NORSA repertoire, so if you would like to join us next time or even be the instigator behind such a quick, fun, and easy trip, please join the mailing list or e-mail any NORSA coordinator in order to get involved.