History and Mission
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HistorySunny Pitcher started Potomac Paddlesports off the roof of his car in 1999. Before this, Sunny spent nearly a decade in the outdoor retail industry, serving as Hudson Trail Outfitter's Director of Stores and then, later, as the Retail Environment Director at Potomac Outdoors. Within a few years after its launch, Potomac Paddlesports had become the top school in the area, offering beginner whitewater, sea kayaking, and flatwater instruction and trips. Programs were expanded to meet the needs of our growing student community, and we began to offer intermediate whitewater and sea kayaking instruction and a teen whitewater camp. From 2001-2007 Potomac Paddlesports helped to pioneer what eventually became the American Canoe Association's "Pro School" program, and Potomac Paddlesports was the first and only kayak school to be fully sanctioned by the ACA, plus hold both the designation as an "ACA Pro School" and British Canoe Union "Endorsed Learning Center". In 2003 the American Canoe Association presented us with awards for "Student Recognition" at their annual banquet. and for "Making The World a Better Place To Paddle" at the Outdoor Retailer trade show. We have been invited to participate in national-level discussions pertaining to public access and public lands in outdoor recreation, and we have held a director position on the Potomac Riverkeeper board. We remain strong advocates for The National Park Service, and ambassadors for wilderness, and Nature. In 2007, Brad Reardon approached us about buying Springriver, the oldest canoe and kayak retailer in the mid-Atlantic region. We jumped at the chance to continue the tradition of serving the DC market. Within a few months we had remodeled the old Springriver warehouse and turned it into a nice' 8,000-square-foot indoor/outdoor retail space. We later opened 1,000 square-foot "Potomac Outfitters" near the river. Both of these retail stores have since gone out of business but our focus, however, continues to be instruction, and our mission and core values have not changed. In 2022, our capable Program Manager, Eli Geisenberger started his own company, All Out Adventures LLC, and became our service provider for all events. In 2023, Eli and All Out Adventures LLC will assume responsibility and operations for all events marketed at PotomacPaddlesports.com. In addition to owning and running the business and events, Eli is an active Eagle Scout / Scout Leader, American Canoe Association Certified Kayak Instructor, multi-category kayak competitor, Team Jackson paddler, and overall industrious and hard worker. MissionConsistently provide our clients with the foundation of skills and level of knowledge that produces life-long kayaking enthusiasts. Core Values1. Respect for the power of the river 2. Environmental responsibility 3. Participation in community partnerships that sustain our natural resources. |
Be Safe. Be Skilled!Potomac Paddlesports / All Out Adventures LLC
Office Hours: May-OctoberMon-Fri: 10:00am-6:00pm |