Cherie Bartozzi

Age: 25

Hometown: Chevy Chase, MD

Paddling Since: September 9, 2007

Favorite Runs: Great Falls, of the Potomac, Top Yough, Upper Yough, Futaleufu and the Azul in Chile, Cheat, Lower Big Sandy, Green Narrows, Ulla Falls in Norway, and the Zambezi in Zambia.

Upcoming Trips: I’ll be heading to Mexico for some South of the Border paddling at the end of January.

About Me:

Despite being born and raised in Chevy Chase, MD, ten minutes from Great Falls, I had never even heard of whitewater kayaking, until I spent a summer volunteering in Livingstone, Zambia, home of the Mighty Zambezi. I received a crash course introduction to kayaking and upon returning to the states promptly signed up for the Level 1 package with Potomac Paddlesports. I learned to roll during my first lesson and have not looked back. I bought a boat, paddle, pfd, skirt, etc. the very next day. In a little over a year, kayaking has become not only my passion but also my way of life. I have had good runs and spent a lot of time upside down but when all is said and done there is nowhere else I would rather be than in a boat, on the lip of a drop, eagerly anticipating my next great adventure.

Posts by Cherie

Scott Anderson

Age: 30

Paddling since: June 5, 2004

Where I learned to paddle: The Potomac

Favorite backyard run: Great Falls

Favorite playspot: Minibus on the Ottawa River -- although I didn't know what to do once I got on it!

Favorite rivers: The Cheat drainage has more quality whitewater than any other river I can think of.

Favorite creeks: Seneca Creek, Red Creek, North Fork of the Blackwater, Hornbeck's Creek

Upcoming trips: Month-long trip through the Grand Canyon in February.

About me: I started kayaking with Potomac Paddlesports on June 5, 2004. It was a cold and rainy day -- I was shivering and my teeth were chattering through most of the class -- but you couldn't wipe the smile off my face. Since then it's become an addiction that I have no intention of ever giving up!

Photos

* Pillow Rock was taken by Bob Anderson

* The Spout and Upper Seneca Falls were taken by Curt Joyce

* Cushion was taken by Brett Mayer-Aschhoff

Posts by Scott

Maggie Snowel, Team Manager

Age: 33

Home: Rockville, MD

Paddling since: August 2002

Website: www.thinkrain.blogspot.com

Where I learned to paddle: The Potomac

Favorite backyard run: Great Falls of the Potomac

Favorite river sections: Upper Yough, Top Yough, Lower Big Sandy, Upper Blackwater, Green Narrows, North Fork South Platte (Bailey Canyon) CO

Favorite Creeks: Clear Creek of the Arkansas CO, Hunting Creek, Canyon Creek WA,

Favorite types of paddling: Creeking, big water river running, attaining

Favorite non-paddling activities: climbing, hiking, photography, writing

Education: BS in Electrical Engineering. Though I’ve found that this isn’t the career path for me so I’ll be starting a master’s program in Environmental Management this fall and eventually work towards an MBA as well.

I started paddling in the summer of 2002 right here on the Potomac. I’d just graduated from college (Univ. of MD, go Terps!) and started a job at the Naval Surface Warfare Center at Carderock. Conveniently placed 5 minutes from Angler’s it really allowed me to get into paddling easily. I spent my first two summers paddling between the chutes and Carderock everyday. By the end of 2003 I’d decided I was totally in love with the sport. I wanted to get good at it and start running rivers. From there things took off quickly and I was on my way to some great adventures. I gradually worked my way up practicing on nearby runs such as the Upper Yough and eventually got to where I could run the Great Falls of the Potomac in the summer of 2006. 2007 was a big year getting me running more class V. I got on the Upper Blackwater, Russell Fork, and Green Narrows for the first time and paddled over 185 days.

I generally spend 100+ days of the year on the river so other activities tend to come second. I enjoy climbing on occasion but it tends to be an indoor, winter-time activity. I love going on good scenic hikes, especially if I can grab my camera as I really love photography. In the past I’ve tried all sorts of outdoor sports. I spent my youth skiing and sailing with my parents. Tried out windsurfing (which I sucked at, unlike my 65 yr old father who is actually pretty good! And have basic and advanced SCUBA certifications.

My boating travels have sent me all over the country. Though I primarily paddle in the Mid Atlantic states near home I do at least a few trips to the South and Northeast. I’ve also made it out to Canada, the Southwest, Colorado and the Pacific Northwest (I love Oregon!!).

My competitive spirit tends to be limited but I do enjoy be a part of fun events. I’ve really enjoyed participating in the Great Falls, Ohiopyle Falls, Upper Gauley, and Cheat Races. I’ve done some playboating but found that I was neither very good at nor enjoyed it very much so I’ve more or less hung up my playboat so to speak and recently picked up attaining as I find it to be much more enjoyable (I don’t have the patience to sit in line for a playspot anyway). So you’ll often see me charging up river in my super cool retro (and pink!) T-Slalom. I’m also loving my new Green Boat (Thanks PPS!) and look forward to taking it down new runs.

It has really been wonderful “growing up” as a paddler on the Potomac. The DC Area certainly provides a wonderful balance of urban conveniences and amazing outdoor activity. The river itself provides so much. It’s been great getting to work through each step of learning to paddle right here at home. From learning to roll at the Feeder canal, wave surfing at VA Chute, my first waterfall (Canal Falls baby!) to finally getting that first taste of class V on Great Falls. Looking back I can’t imagine a better place to have started!

Sunny has asked me to take over as Team Manager for the 2009 season. I couldn't be more excited!

Think Rain!

Accomplishments:

2007 Upper Gauley Race, 3^rd women’s

2007 Great Falls Race, only woman, oh yeah!

2007 Cheat River Race, 3^rd women’s long boat

2008 Great Falls Race, 1^st women’s

2008 Ohiopyle Falls Race, 3rd women's long and short boat

Posts by Maggie

Jordan Poffenberger

Age: 17

Home: Fairfax, VA

Years paddling: 12 (7 C1)

Where I learned to paddle: The Potomac

Favorite play run: New River Dries

Favorite playspot: Lyons at highwater in CO

Favorite creek: Rio Claro in Chile

Favorite types of paddling: C-1 playboating, C-1 slalom and creeking

Community Involvement: I participated in the Gorge-athon and raised over $1000 for river access and preservation, many of the competitions I compete in are for the benefit of AW.

I learned to paddle on the Potomac. I started when I was 6 years old in a Dagger Dynamo and started to learn how to roll in a pool with one of the local paddling schools. My dad and I took lessons and then would go out and practice rolling and paddling on the Potomac or the C & O canal.

What I like about paddling: At this point, paddling has become kind of the center of my life. There is just something about being on the river, no matter where the river is or what kind of whitewater it is. It takes me to places I would have never imagined being, whether its in some of the remotest parts of the world, or in the middle of a city surounded by thousands of spectators. A huge part of why paddling is so amazing is just the people you meet along the way.

What I like about the Potomac: The Potomac has a little bit of everything, it has big class V+ gnarr, class III-IV big water, and class III play and plenty of class II for the upcoming paddlers all within 15 miles of river.

Freestyle Competition Results:

2nd in C-1 at Freestyle Nationals in 07', 08', 09' and 10'.

13th in C-1 at 2009 Freestyle World Championships in Thun, Switzerland.

11th in C-1 at 2011 Freestyle World Championships in Plattling, Germany.

5th in K-1 Juniors at 10' Freestyle Team Trials

4th in OC-1 at 10' Freestyle Team Trials

2nd in C-1 at 10' Freestyle Team Trials

Slalom Competition Results:

2nd in C-1 cadet 07 Junior Olympics, 1st in C-1 cadet 08 Junior Olympics, 17th in C-1 08 Olympic trials

Hobbies: Snowboard during the winter, Mountain biking when I can't kayak, and ofcourse jumping off of tall rocks into a river. I'm Definitly a bit of a Pyro, but what boy isn't? I enjoy pretending to be an engineer, perhaps someday I shall actually be one. The Design of kayaks, and whitewater features and generally just fun to think about, discuss and sometimes actually put into practice.

Favorite Boat: I would definitly have to say my favorite boat right now is the Liquid Logic Kayaks Stomper. It's an amazing combination of my two previous favorite boats, the Remix and the Jefe. Its fast like a Remix, with stronger edges to use in carving in and out of eddies. But it still floats over just about every kind of obsticle a river could throw at you. It boofs better than one could dream, and its just imposible to have a bad day on the river when paddling the stout running machine that is the Stomper 80.

Favorite Piece of gear: The IR Union Suit is my favorite piece of gear by a long shot. Probably the most versitle piece of gear out there. Though it was designed to keep paddlers Uber warm on the river(which it does fantasticaly!) it can be used on or off the river. I have used it while skiing, camping, paddling, or just generally walking around. It's just the most comfortable, warmest fleece full body layer ever. I would definitly urge anybody who wants to be warm to go out and get one of these.

Sponsors: Potomac Paddlesports, LiquidLogic Kayaks, Immersian Research, BlackFly Canoes, and GoPro