The First Annual Rivanna River Sojourn took place this Earth Day weekend and was, according to its sponsors, a huge success. The Sojourn was the result of joint effort between the Rivanna Conservation Society (RCS), the Fluvanna County Department of Parks and Recreation (FDPC) and Blue Ridge Mountain Sport (BRMS
The Sojourn hosted more than 30 paddlers and involved more than 20 volunteers, offered two paddling options, the full sojourn of 15 miles and the mini sojourn of nearly 7 miles. This provided the opportunity for long time paddlers and beginners alike to share their Earth Day weekend on the Rivanna
In his Blessing of the Fleet message, RCS President Angus Murdoch said, “we express our thanks for this beautiful day, this lovely setting and this glorious river. We ask that the river be safe and kind to us as we paddle our way and we ask that at journey’s end, we have been kind to the river, keeping it safe from us.”
John Holden, Manager at BRMS said “The conditions were perfect, warm with cool breezes, the water level was great and the paddlers were outstanding. This is just what we were looking for in terms of our first Rivanna Sojourn.” After dinner John presented the awards for Youngest Full Sojourn Paddler to Alex Leslie, Most Interesting Trash Collected to Chris Yates and the Most Trash Collected to Angus Murdoch and Maxx Newman.
Alex Leslie (winner of the youngest full sojourn participant) and his mother Jennifer Jessup
“One of the joys of this Earth Day weekend event was the participation of parents and their children. We want the Sojourn to be a family event,” said Robbi Savage, the RCS Executive Director. Among the parent and child duos were Pat Calvert, leader of the Full Sojourn and his daughter Edie, Jennifer and her son Alex (picture above), Jo Wessner and her daughter Laura, Chris Yates and his daughter Jennifer, Jennifer Donovan and her three sons Avery, Caelan and Omar, Robbi Savage and her son Chris (Chris celebrated his birthday catering the Sojourn for his mother).
Most Trash Collected Award Winner Angus Murdoch & Maxx Newman.
The volunteers were supplied by the three sponsoring organizations and the UVA Sailing Club. These volunteers set up the base camp, carried canoes and kayaks to the launch site at Shadwell, and prepared snacks, a reception and dinner for the arriving participants, RCS Board members and community leaders
Keith Meyerl, Director of the Fluvanna Department of Parks and Recreation summarized the event by saying, “We in Fluvanna County host and sponsor events like the Rivanna River Sojourn because we care so much about the natural environment and the beauty of central Virginia. We look forward to next year’s Sojourn and we thank all the paddlers for their participation.”
Launch at Shadwell
Gil Hines bringing up the rear
Sherry and Robbi nearing Crofton
UVA Sailing Club helping with the Launch.
