World Kayak Event Coverage

The strengths of the Potomac Festival are its overall inclusion of paddlers of all abilities as opposed to showcasing only the elite such as other big sponsor events. I am not saying those events do not have their place, I am only saying that events like the Potomac have theirs as well.

Yesterday’s freestyle event had beginners and intermediates outnumbering experts by a large margin and it could have not been more appropriate as this venue has played host to the “Maryland Chute Out” for many years. For those that are not aware this is how World Kayak had the idea to host similar competitions across the nation aptly named “Hometown Throwdowns.” The paddling community in the Potomac region is large, inclusive and proud of their region, as they should be.

The spot was a quality wave hole that rewards the patient and definitely favored the local’s knowledge. James Sneeringer, organizer, met with competitors in the Old Anglers parking lot to pass out bibs and explain rules and scoring. The competitors and organizers then attained upstream to the Maryland Chute where as many 50-60 competitors and spectators congregated to watch the action. If that number does not sound impressive then you have to understand what it takes to make it upstream for a hiker. It was actually considerably easier to paddle upstream from the takeout. The D.C. locals are a hardy bunch as many hardly flinched at the soaring temperatures and oppressive humidity.

Once again, local knowledge prevailed at this playspot as many of the top finishes have this spot as their local stomping grounds. Full results are below.
Mens Expert/Pro

K-1

1.Bryan Kirk
2.Danny Stock
3.Charlie Bartlett
4.Jeremy Laucks
5.Jim Buley

C-1

1.Seth Chapelle
2.Jeremy Laucks

Advanced

Men K-1

1.Jim Hubshman
2.Garrett Boop
3.Thilo Rusche
4.Bion Kim
5.Brian Kish
6.Brenton Petrillo

Women K-1

1.Monique Hubshman
2.Cindy Lindsay
3.Julie March
4.Helene Scalliet

Beginner

Mens K-1

1.Jim Wei
2.George Brewer
3.Howard Morland
4.Jack Hill
5.Sang Nguyen

Womens K-1

1.Vaso Pavli
2.Jen Klemperer
3.Jade Wei
4.Jen Stoner

Junior

1.Dylan Evans
2.Sean Chapelle
3.John Brewer

Squirt and other results Click Here

Many thanks go to Jim and Monique Hubshman of Potomacpaddlers.com for taking photos all weekend!

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