You may vote online at https://www.esurveyspro.com/Survey.aspx?id=130f029c-d177-4699-8351-adf2cf070f9a . Note, you MUST enter the last name and member number (on your membership card) for your membership for your vote to count. Invalid votes will be discarded. You may request your member number by contacting Sue Stevens, Membership Secretary You may also mail in the ballot in the October newsletter.
Coordinator
Paula Hubbard: Some of us paddle for exercise, some for wildlife, and some of us just like messing around in boats. Whatever your reason, we share a love of the water. That is why I am willing to continue as CPA Coordinator. CPA runs on volunteers. Our trip leaders, piracy captains, and instructors are the heart of CPA. My goal is to support them and make it easier for more members to step up. You don’t need to be the fastest paddler, or roll, or paddle in big conditions to lead a trip. You need to be willing to pick a place you love and share it. I want trip leading to feel doable, and experienced mentors are there to help. I also believe in safety and skills training. Learn to read the water, dress for immer- sion, and practice your rescues. Our Navigation Class, SK101, and SK102 are there to provide an opportunity for our paddling community to receive training. I will continue to support these efforts. Finally, I’d like us to keep exploring, from the marshes of the Eastern Shore to warmer waters farther south, and to represent CPA when lobbying for better ac- cess to the places we paddle.
Secretary
Sue Stevens: It is an honor to serve as our club Secretary, and it would be a pleasure to serve again. My tasks as Secretary and as the club’s Membership management in- clude updates for our off-line CPA membership database, handling club meeting min- utes, and organizing the Chesapeake Paddler newsletter e-distribution emails. I drive to the Greenbelt Post Office to check for any CPA incoming mail throughout the year. (it really helps if you do PAY your DUES via Paypal – and saves a trip!) I manage our CPA membership renewals, plus handling the monthly membership renewal reminders. I have assisted at SK102 and at SK101, plus do a joint presentation with Rich on racks, storage, set ups and loading kayak tips. I manage the Meetup logistics for our popular Kayak Skills Day / Fall OUT of YOUR Boat Day – held in June. I also organize the weekly CPA Meetup calendar posts for the Pirates of Arundell. POA meets most every Wednesday in May through early October, at assorted after-work kayak locations. I collect the seasonal waivers, as well as bring the box of pot luck supper- supplies weekly. I like to bring desserts to share, such as our perennial favorite Oreos cookies. I am looking forward to good year kayaking in 2027!
Treasurer
Rich Stevens: I have been Treasurer and Corporate Agent for CPA for a number of years now, and would be honored to serve again. I’ve worked to ensure that all the proper federal and state filings have been kept up to date, as well as our liability insur- ance policy. I’ve also worked hard to ensure that members are reimbursed in a timely manner, all payments are properly recorded and deposited, and that the necessary pa- perwork is kept up to date in an orderly fashion. I plan on continuing to work to seek other ways for the Club to give back to our members and to ensure that Club funds are spent wisely. Although I generally hate paperwork, I’ve enjoyed my work for CPA. No fame and glory, but a necessary part of a corporation. In addition, I’ve served as a Pirate Captain for the Pirates of Arundell for a number of years and assisted with SK101, SK 102, Skills Day/Gear Day, and several other annual CPA events. I’m part of the Website and Forum team under Gregg Banse. CPA continues to be on excellent financial footing with available funds increasing over the past year.
Steering Committee (listed alphabetically)
Lisa Arrasmith (incumbent): Hello, please vote for me for Steering Committee. My contribution to the club for 2026 was locating the new site for SK102 – Conquest Pre- serve on the Chester River near Centreville MD. My continuing contribution to the club is public water access. Right now the primary project is the public boat ramp at Discovery Village in Shady Side MD. Discovery Village is owned by a pri- vate party. Anne Arundel County currently operates the Discovery Village public boat ramp under a short term lease that ends on June 30, 2027. Discovery Village is for sale. If Discovery Village is sold to a third party, or if the current owner refuses to sign a new lease in 2027, the public could permanently lose public access to to the boat ramp. Anne Arundel County could also have to repay Maryland Department of Natural Re- sources a $533,000 Waterway Improvement Fund grant that it took to build the Discov- ery Village boat ramp in exchange for a grant condition to keep the boat ramp open to the general boating public until 2046. A team of people is trying to get the county to buy Discovery Village and ensure permanent public access to the boat ramp. See you on the water.
Marylin Athanasion (incumbent; was Cooper): Hello there, I am running for the steering committee with the Chesapeake Paddlers Association again this year. I have been able to help support this or- ganization through the Sugarloaf Piracy and other events such as SK101 and yearly gatherings/ trainings. I want to bring my experience and leadership to help others to enjoy this sport that has become a large part of my life. I have been paddling for 7 years, attained my L3 instructor certifi- cation with ACA in the past year, and hope is using this experience to continue to serve on the steering committee. Some of my goals on the committee are to plan an interesting and informa- tive SK101, help promote water access around our area, foster an inclusive environment where everyone is welcome and explore opportunities to expand our partnership with other similar kay- aking organizations.
Melissa Eichner (New Candidate)— Kayaking is a great sport. People like different types of paddles and different things about it. More people could enjoy it if they under- stood the possibilities. I canoed a lot in my teens and twenties, and I always had access to the water with my parents and later on my brothers’ boats. I wanted to buy a kayak for years but didn’t know what to buy. Six years ago during the pandemic, I purchased the sea kayak that was available on a shelf at REI. I loved sea kayaking immediately—and I could have never predicted what it has become in my life… I’ve progressively made noticeable gains each year. Strength building, balance, maneuvering skills, endurance, opportunity to explore, oneness with the water and nature. Now I repair and customize kay- aks too. Last year, I took up kayak sailing with a 17.5’ boat and 12’ boat, both with a 32’ sail. The importance of skills and safety measures multiplied. So now I’m a kayaker geek – in-training. I will talk about it with anyone who might listen. I meet people who have no idea sea kayakers push off with their feet with each stroke. It’s a full body sport. And as I learn and practice new strokes, more muscles are engaged. CPA has provided a gateway to meeting people who love it too. How can CPA serve members now? Has anything changed? How can we communicate the opportunities and gain new members? I’ve led paddles with the Sugar Loaf Piracy, and I’ve taken all the CPA trainings. Some other trainings too. I’ve learned from lots of people who have shared their knowledge and experience. I want to give back.
Luci Hollingsworth (New Candidate)—As a CPA member for over 20 years, I have been both a beneficiary and supporter of this wonderful organization. I have provided support to SK 101 and taught at SK102 over several years. I’ve been a recipient of great coaching at Fall Out of Your Boat Day and have also provided coaching support in later years. I’ve also been a Pirate Queen with the Pirates of Sugarloaf for several years. This year I am co- leading KIPP (Kent Island Practice Paddlers) – a role that requires vigor and creative solu- tions to some of the newer Bay conditions we’ve encountered. I will also be co -leading SK101 in 2027. I look forward to the opportunity to serve on the board as I have some fresh new ideas for historic activities and perhaps some new activities. I will most certainly bring energy and enthusiasm.
Ben Mayock (Incumbent)—I am grateful for an opportunity to serve on the Chesapeake Paddlers Association’s Steering Committee for a second term. I joined CPA soon after I be- gan kayaking in 2011 and have benefited from many of the resources it has provided such as SK 101, 102, and 103 (Trip Leader Training). I have participated in many CPA activities in- cluding KIPP where I circumnavigated Kent Island twice by water and twice by land as ground support for the 34 mile paddle. For the past several years I have been a captain with the Sugarloaf piracy. I’ve led paddles for CPA and other local paddling groups including Wa- tersEdge and Chesapeake Kayak Adventures, and have participated in paddling activities sponsored by Cross Currents and others. I enjoy volunteering my time and energy by helping others. I am currently fostering a dog for Small Miracles, an animal shelter; I also help main- tain cabins and supervise cabin maintainers for the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club. I look forward to continue contributing my resources to CPA.
Ricardo Stewart (Incumbent)— Hello, it was an honor working on the Chesapeake Paddlers Association (CPA) steering committee for the past three years, and I am run- ning to serve again. I have been a CPA member since June 2015 and have attended and enjoyed many educational and social opportunities offered through CPA, including SK101/SK102 sessions, weekly piracy paddles and KIPP paddles. Over the past three years, I have assisted in organizing paddles with the Pirates of the Sugarloaf. At SK102 this year, I was thrilled to participate as an Instructor for the first time and am looking forward to next year. Over the past 3 years, I’ve worked on foster- ing CPA outreach and collaboration with the Canton Kayak Club (CKC). I have worked to grow as a kayaker, participating in many kayaking courses, retreats, symposiums, and adventures over the past four years, with plans to continue. I have also taken the ACA Level 2 Instructor course. I enjoy the fellowship, sense of community, peer mentoring, and opportunities to learn and develop as a kayaker that CPA has provided. As a steering committee member, I hope to help others gain that opportunity and continue supporting the goals of CPA.
Joan Sweet (New Candidate)—I have been asked to support the organiza- tion by running for a position on the steering committee. I joined Chesapeake Kayakers in the spring of 2010. My 16 years of kayaking has mostly been with the Pirates of the North. My first trip with them was in my brand new mango Wilderness kayak, the same one I’m still using. I have been partici- pating in their weekly paddles ever since. The past few years I have served as the co-leader of the group. The Pirates of the North launch from Havre de Grace, Charlestown, and the Elk River. Posting trips on meet-up has been an easy way to advertise our trips and see where other Piracies are launching. I’m looking forward to serving on the steering committee and making kayak- ing a fun activity for all to enjoy.
Jean Wunder (Incumbent)—I am honored to be nominated to serve a third term on the Chesapeake Paddler’s Steering Committee. I have been a member of CPA since April 2015. As a CPA member I have enjoyed the benefits offered by this organization, which include many one of a kind opportunities such as SK 101 where individuals have the oppor- tunity to learn about us as an organization and how to choose gear best suited to their needs. I again assisted individuals learn how to self rescue at Fall Out of your Boat Day, and volunteered for the Special Olympics Kayaking event held in Chestertown.
For 3 years I was a captain of the Pirates of Baltimore and 2 years with CPA’s latest piracy along the eastern shore called the Pirates of the Atlantic. As my skills have grown in the paddling sport, I have come to recognize the importance of camaraderie as a place to learn and encourage safety on the water. If elected I will continue to promote the ideals of the organi- zation and its growth by encouraging others to find the same passion as I have for kayaking and practice new skills, meet new friends, and
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You may vote online at https://www.esurveyspro.com/Survey.aspx?id=130f029c-d177-4699-8351-adf2cf070f9a . Note, you MUST enter the last name and member number (on your membership card) for your membership for your vote to count. Invalid votes will be discarded. An email will be sent to the email of record for the membership in early October. Check your inbox. You may also mail in the ballot in this newsletter.
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