CCA Potomac Downriver Race Sunday May 15

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Received in an email:

50TH RUNNING OF CCA POTOMAC DOWNRIVER RACE

SUNDAY, MAY 15, 2005

By V. Star Mitchell, Downriver Race Chair

What race do you know of that has lasted consecutively for half of a century? The 50th running of the CCA Potomac Downriver Race will be Sunday, May 15th. COME AND BE A PART OF A HALF-CENTURY OF LIVING HISTORY AND PADDLE THE RACE! JOIN THE FUN!

The pre-registration fee is only $15! Obtain a registration form from the Sycamore Island website at

http://www.sycamoreisland.org/syCCArace.htm

and follow the instructions for mailing. At registration the fee is $20. 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 $20 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 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!) Also, there will be a ceremony for our deceased paddling buddies.

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).