From the CPA Coordinator

CPA ANNUAL MEETING AND TURNER CREEK

Bill Smith

ELECTIONS

It will soon be time to elect the CPA leadership for the upcoming year. If you would like to run for a position or have a candidate in mind, then let me know. CPA is an all-volunteer organization so your help is needed to keep the club afloat. The steering committee meets twice a year in person at the annual meeting (November) and the planning meeting (February)… all other business is usually conducted via email or telephone.

The CPA organization includes the Coordinator, Secretary, Treasurer and six steering committee members. All officers serve for one year or until the next annual meeting. This year’s  annual meeting will be held on Sunday, November 6th.

TURNER CREEK AND SASSAFRAS RIVER

The KIPP paddlers during the August practice paddle went rogue and traveled north to the Turners Creek/Sassafras River. The American Lotus were in bloom so the put in at Turners Creek was crowded but after paddling a hundred yards or so past the blooms we were on our own. This was my second trip to this area, but instead of traveling upstream we went downstream; downstream is much more scenic. We immediately crossed the river and traveled west along the north bank.

The scenery was amazing with wooded shoreline almost the entire trip. The beach is almost continuous with driftwood covered sand and sometimes high bluffs for miles. We would occasionally travel past areas with homes but other than that it was mostly secluded and places to stop along the way were plentiful. The bald eagles were everywhere and sometimes very close.

The weather forecasted for the day called for occasional thunderstorms, but they never materialized. The semi-cloud cover and continuous breeze made it a picture-perfect day to be on the water. The water is very clear with plenty of sea grass, so the river looks very healthy. We paddled out into the Bay then north along the shore to a small inlet where we stopped for a lunch break.

During the return, the wind picked up out of the southwest, so we had to paddle into the wind and oncoming waves. After returning to the Sassafras River, we paddled across the river to the south shore and followed it back to Turners Creek.

  The mouth of the Sassafras is 3.5 miles wide. The wind and waves crossing were quite exciting but could have been avoided if we would have traveled further upstream before crossing but we were looking for excitement. The south shore was like the north shore, with bluffs and sandy beach stops along the way. We did make a rest stop at one of the beaches before ending our trip. I highly recommend this trip especially when the lotus is in bloom. This trip could suit all skill levels but recommend making your crossings away from the river mouth if you want to avoid waves.

Paddle on!

Bill Smith

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