2023 Jeff Walaszek
For outstanding service co-leading the Pirates of Algonkian/Occoquan in 2005-17, serving on the administrative staff for CPA’s Sea Kayaking Skills Clinic (SK102) course since 2021, leading several trips and events, and participating in many CPA events and activities since joining in 2001.
2023 Maxine Mead
For outstanding service as registrar for CPA’s Sea Kayaking Skills Clinic (SK102) course in 2015-present, registrar for CPA’s Introduction to Sea Kayaking (SK101) course in 2018, and participating in many CPA events and activities since joining in 2011.
2023 Marilyn Cooper
For outstanding service co-leading CPA’s Introduction to Sea Kayaking (SK101) course in 2022-present, reviving and co-leading the Pirates of Sugarloaf since 2021, serving on the Steering Committee since 2021, leading several day trips, and participating in many CPA events and activities since joining in 2017.
2023 Laurie Collins
For outstanding service co-leading CPA’s Introduction to Sea Kayaking (SK101) course in 2022-present, reviving and co-leading the Pirates of Sugarloaf since 2021, leading several day trips, and participating in many CPA events and activities since joining in 2015.
2022 Bill Upton
For outstanding service to the Chesapeake Paddlers Association in editing our newsletter, The Chesapeake Paddler, from October 2019 to July 2022. Bill has been an active member and has participated in many activities and events since joining CPA in 2004. He is a life member.
2022 Tom Heneghan
For outstanding service to the Chesapeake Paddlers Association serving as one of the principal Pirate Captains of the Pirates of Georgetown since 2009 and serving on the Steering Committee 2013-4. Tom has been an active member and has led numerous trips, especially his Mallows Bay trip from Quantico Marine Base, since joining CPA in 2004. With Matt Blakey, Tom organized and ran a kayak-oriented Wilderness First Aid Course for CPA in 2013. He is a life member.
2022 Jesse Aronson
For outstanding service to the Chesapeake Paddlers Association serving as one of the principal Pirate Captains of the Pirates of Georgetown since 2014 and serving on the Steering Committee 2013-4. Jesse has been an active member and has led several trips since joining CPA in 1999. He is a life member.
2022 Greg Welker
For outstanding service to the Chesapeake Paddlers Association for more than 30 years. Greg has distinguished himself by always volunteering to teach skills, help with gear, lead activities and foster the health of the club. Greg served as CPA Coordinator 1996-98, Treasurer 1996, Pirates of Arundell co-captain 2006-present, instructed at SK101, SK102 and SK203 many times, and has led numerous trips and activities since joining CPA in 1991. He is a life member.
2021 Lois Wyatt
For outstanding service to the Chesapeake Paddlers Association in editing our newsletter, The Chesapeake Paddler, from January 2017 to October 2019. Lois has been an active member of the Pirates of Arundell and the Gunkholers, and has participated in many activities and events since joining CPA in 2005.
2021 Elizabeth Boyd
For outstanding service to the Chesapeake Paddlers Association in serving on the Steering Committee from 2020 to the present, and editing, publishing and managing our newsletter, The Chesapeake Paddler, from January 2017 to October 2019. Beth has been an active member of the Pirates of Arundell and has participated in many activities and events since joining CPA in 2011.
2021 Marla Aron
For outstanding service to the Chesapeake Paddlers Association in managing ordering, inventory and sales of CPA logo gear from 2015 to the present. Marla has expanded the options for colors, fabrics and sizes (especially ladies sizes) and found new manufacturers for our logo gear. She has also been an active member of the Pirates of Arundell, the Gunkholers, the ADK Loons, and has participated in many trips and activities since joining CPA in 2004.
2019 Rita Scherping and Liz Marancik
For extended service as two of Chesapeake Paddlers Association’s longest-serving Pirate Captains (7 years). Rita and Liz served as Queens of the Pirates of Sugarloaf at Riley’s Lock since May 2012 (taking over from James Higgins) and led and participated in many CPA events and activities since joining in 2008 (Rita) and 2006 (Liz).
2019 Bob Shakeshaft
For extended service as one of Chesapeake Paddlers Association’s longest-serving Pirate Captain (12 years). Bob has served as Captain of the Pirates of the North at Havre De Grace since May 2008 (taking over from Wendy Baker-Davis) and has led and participated in many CPA events and activities since joining in 2004.
2018 Paula Hubbard
For outstanding service to the Chesapeake Paddlers Association in helping organize and lead the Kent Island Practice Paddles (KIPP) since 2010, teach navigation classes numerous times, serve as an instructor at SK101 and SK102 for 7 years, serve as Web Master with others since 2013, and serve on the Steering Committee 6 years since joining CPA in 2009.
2018 Lisa Arrasmith
For outstanding service to the sea kayaking community through her tireless advocacy for better water access in Anne Arundel County. Lisa participated with the AA county Water Access Committee and organized paddler representation at many public hearings and events, resulting in improvements to water access points at Beverly-Triton Beach, Spriggs Farm, South River Farm, Bodkin Creek at Downs Park, Franklin Point State Park, Mayo Beach, and many others. Lisa has been a CPA member since 2004.
2017 Ralph Heimlich
For serving as CPA Coordinator from 2013-16, on the Steering Committee for 2006-11 and 2017, editor of The Chesapeake Paddler from 2006-12, organizing SK203, Trip Leader Training, in 2016, running the Spray Skirt Workshop from 2009-17, hosting the CPA Holiday Party from 2006-10 and 2014-17, co-leading the Patuxent Cleanup with Chip Walsh from 2005-17, leading numerous camping and day trips since 2005, and participating in many CPA events and activities since joining in 2002.
2017 Gregg Banse
For serving as one of the CPA Web Masters from 2015-17, updating and running the CPA Forums, and converting the CPA website to WordPress over the winter of 2016-17 since joining in 2015.
2017 Paul Casto
For organizing and leading SK101, Introduction to Sea Kayaking, from 2014-17, serving on the Steering Committee in 2014-15, participating and assisting with KIPP, instructing at SK102, and participating in many CPA events and activities since joining in 2009.
2016 Dick Rock
For extended service as one of Chesapeake Paddlers Association’s longest-serving Pirate Captain (13 years). Dick has served as Captain of the Potomac Piracy at Belle Haven Marina since May 2003 (taking over from Bill Dodge) and participated in many CPA events and activities since joining in 1998.
2016 Jenny Plummer-Welker
For extended service as Chesapeake Paddlers Association’s longest-serving Pirate Captain (15 years with the Pirates of the Patuxent and 9 years on the Pirates of Pier 7/Arundell committee). Jenny was one of the originators of the Patuxent Pirates as early as 1993 and has participated in many CPA events and activities since joining in 1991.
2015 Sue and Rich Stevens
For serving the administrative needs of the Chesapeake Paddlers Association, Inc. as Membership Secretary since 2006 and Treasurer since 2007, Pirates of Arundell coordinators since 2006, SC members since 2006, leading numerous day trips and support activities, and participating in many CPA events and activities since joining in 1999.
2015 Catriona Miller
For originating and leading the CPA Boat and Paddle Workshop from 2013-14, organizing and leading CPA’s Sea Kayaking Skills Clinic (SK102) course in 2014-15, serving as registrar for SK102 in 2012-13, organizing the CPA Gear Day in 2013, organizing the Cold Water Clinic in 2014 and recording and posting the talk in 2013, co-managing CPA’s website, forum and Face Book pages since 2013, serving on the Steering Committee in 2012-13, , and participating in many CPA events and activities since joining in 2010.
2014 Gina Cicotello
For originating and leading the annual CPA Gear Day from 2008-11, leading CPA’s Introduction to Sea Kayaking (SK101) course in 2010-11, co-leading the Greenland Paddle Workshop from 2006-13, serving on the Steering Committee in 2009-10, leading numerous day and camping trips, and participating in many CPA events and activities since joining in 2002.
2014 Suzanne Farace
For originating and leading the annual CPA Gear Day from 2008-12, leading CPA’s Introduction to Sea Kayaking (SK101) course in 2010-13, co-leading a beginner course for Kayak Camping, serving on the Steering Committee in 2009, leading numerous day and camping trips, and participating in many CPA events and activities since joining in 2005.
2013 Marshall Woodruff
For originating, developing, and sustaining the Chesapeake Paddlers Association, Inc., Kent Island Practice Paddle (KIPP) Series. KIPP has fostered confidence, endurance and rough water paddling skills in participants since 2006.
2013 Brian Blankinship
For originating, developing, and sustaining the Chesapeake Paddlers Association, Inc., Sea Kayaking On-Water Training (SK102) at Lake Anna, Virginia, for 15 years, serving as CPA Coordinator 2003-2005, Pier 7 Pirate Captain 1998-2000, and numerous other roles in the club since 1996.
