BALANCE PADDLEBOARDING: #FINDYOURBALANCE #SAVETHEPOTOMACPresentation by Patrick Moran

HISTORY: POTOMAC RIVER

The Potomac River is the fourth largest river along the Atlantic coast and the 21st largest in the United States.

Washington, DC began using the Potomac River as its main source of drinking water with the opening of the Washington Aqueduct in 1864. - Source

Almost 86 percent of the region’s population receives its drinking water from public water suppliers while 13 percent uses well water.

However, due to increasing urban development, the aquatic habitat of the Potomac River and its tributaries are vulnerable to eutrophication, heavy metals, pesticides and other toxic chemicals.

PROBLEMS SURFACING IN POTOMAC RIVER

It all started last summer while sitting on the banks looking out over the Potomac river with my partner, Danielle Griffith, when we realized something was missing.

The amount of litter that was accumulating along the banks of the Potomac was an alarming and uncomfortable sight.

WE KNEW THAT HERE IN ALEXANDRIA, A PERFECT STORM OF INCREASED DEVELOPMENT, POPULATION GROWTH, AND BUDGET CONSTRAINTS COULD LEAD TO FURTHER NEGLECT OF THE NATURAL BEAUTY THE POTOMAC OFFERS.

Furthermore,

A SOLUTION: BALANCE PADDLEBOARDING

This is when Balance Paddleboarding was born.

Balance Paddleboarding is a social enterprise that will bring more people to the river to experience all that the Potomac River offers through Stand-Up Paddleboard rentals and tours, while taking action to remove the litter that plagues the shores.

DEDICATION TO CONSERVATION

It is unlike any normal paddle-boarding business in that its goal is first and foremost dedicated to the beauty and preservation of the river.

Customers can look forward to incentives all season for simply bringing back a piece of litter after your paddleboarding session.

SUPPORTING ORGANIZATIONS

Balance Paddleboarding is also working closely with Potomac Conservancy and Potomac Riverkeeper Network to expand their clean-up efforts along the Alexandria Waterfront.

By working together, these groups will have a long lasting, sustainable, and positive impact.

JOIN US APRIL 16TH FOR JONES POINT CLEAN UP

Saturday, April 16, 2016

9:00am - 12:00pm

Join us and our partner, Potomac Conservancy at Jones Point Park on April 16th, as we do our part to clean up the river as part of the Alice Ferguson Foundation’s Annual Potomac River Cleanup.

Last year more than 13,000 volunteers from across the region removed 447,000 pounds of trash from the Potomac’s shorelines. That’s the weight of 31 African elephants!

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER ON EVENTBRITE

What you need: close-toed shoe

What we provide: All tools, drinking water, and supplies will be provided by Potomac Conservancy.

How to get there: Parking at Jones Point Park is tight so we are encouraging all volunteers to carpool or take public transportation. Metrobus 10 A, 10 B, 10 R, and AT3 all stop just blocks from the entrance to the park. Feeling up for a bit of a walk before cleaning up our Nation’s River? The King Street Station (Blue/Yellow Line) is a 35-40 minute stroll from the park.

–Potomac Conservancy President, Hedrick Belin

“I think the shad is a great little success story that shows if we make something a priority, and if we’re

putting in sufficient time and financial resources, we can see dramatic improvements.”

This Spring 2016, join us in keeping the Potomac River healthy & clean.

VISIT: BALANCEPADDLEBOARDING.COM FOR MORE INFO#FINDYOURBALANCE