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Imagine paddling on the Potomac River in late March / early April, along the sea walls of East Potomac Park, around Hains Point into the Washington Channel up to the Wharf, under the canopy of cherry blossoms!!Historically, peak blossom occurs on March 31 +/- 3 days. I am proposing holding the event on Saturday 1 April, with a rain date of 2 April. The event is timed to take advantage of low tide and slack current. Since that occurs around noon, it would be a perfect time to stop and have a picnic lunch, either on land in East Potomac Park or on the water from our kayaks.
The historic average water temperature on that date is 50F. Participants need to have sufficient cold water immersion gear (wetsuit/drysuit). The only accessible exits from the water is at the launch or at the East Potomac Dock, so anyone that falls in and can't do a deep water rescue will have a looooooong tow in the water.
(~ 7 mile, 4 hour round trip)
10:00 am - Arrive @ Gravelly Point
10:30 am - Launch
11:56 am - Slack Current
12:13 pm - Low Tide
12:15 pm - arrive at Tidal Basin Gates / Bag Lunch on the water
12:45 pm - End lunch, head back
2:30 pm - Take Out @ Gravelly Point
Notes to Consider:
1) Gravelly Point is very popular with plane watchers, and if it is a nice sunny day the parking may get full fast, so come early
2) Water is cold (50F) so wear a wetsuit or drysuit
3) Pack a lunch, we will either get on shore for a picnic or eat in the kayaks for a "dinner cruise"
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Gravelly Point Park, ,Arlington,VA,United States