The contrast in the pictures above, separated by 31 years of CPA history, should be apparent to all. In Dave Mood’s 1995 photo, most of the folks are YOUNG, probably in their 20s or 30s, while the folks in RARA’s photo from SK102 earlier this year are OLDER (not picking on those pictured, the whole club is older). This mirrors trends in sea kayaking generally, not just in CPA. The 18-24 year old demographic surged in kayak touring, rising faster than the general population from 2007 through 2018, but we aren’t seeing them in kayaking clubs like CPA.
While the data indicate that we need to do a better job of attracting younger people interested in sea kayaking to our club, my point today is that achieving that goal may be difficult given the age of CPA’s leadership. Most of the officers, Pirate Captains and others (web people, newsletter editors, trip leaders) are and have been older folks, mostly retired, who have the time, experience and motivation to keep CPA going. That is all well and good, and they should be commended for their efforts, but where are the younger or at least newer members willing to step up? We old folks aren’t going to last forever and it is imperative for some younger blood to step up and take the torch if the Chesapeake Paddlers Association is to survive in the future.
The number of CPA members has been generally declining from nearly 700 in 2013 to under 600 in 2025. Between a third and a half of our almost-600 members actively participate in CPA activities (more than once over this period). Participation in day trips and campers has declined since 2016, and participation in other activities (training, social, etc.) has also declined. Piracy participation has held about steady. There have been some hopeful trends as late as new leadership teams have stepped up for our Introduction to Sea Kayaking (SK101) and On-Water Sea Kayaking (SK102) courses and the popular Kent Island Practice Paddle (KIPP) training. Gear Day/Fall Out of Your Boat Day at Selby Community Beach has also been very popular. However, the decline in actual trips reflects the aging of our leadership corps. This month represents an opportunity to nominate new people to lead CPA and reverse some of these troubling trends. If you are not willing to be an officer, there are other jobs that need filling (like the newsletter editor!!!) and now could be the time to resolve to be more active in recruiting newer members and leading a trip or activity in the coming year. If CPA has been valuable to you in commencing your sea kayaking career or improving your skills and knowledge, now is the time to step up and help reserve the graying and decaying in our club.
