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Paddlers on patrol

The Potomac Paddlers Volunteer Corps, years in the making, trains kayakers to help the National Park Service patrol the river — responding to and preventing dangerous or illegal activity.

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Extreme kayakers Jason Beakes (front), 38, and Nathan Sass, 21, on the rapids in Great Falls Park in Potomac, Md. After decades of tension between the Park Service and extreme kayakers, the paddlers are working together to improve safety on the river.

Linda Davidson / THE WASHINGTON POST

Jason Beakes navigates the rapids in Great Falls Park.

Jason Beakes navigates the rapids in Great Falls Park.

Linda Davidson / THE WASHINGTON POST

National Park Service officials watch extreme kayakers from an overlook in Great Falls Park. Fourteen people have drowned in the Potomac River Gorge in the past two years.

National Park Service officials watch extreme kayakers from an overlook in Great Falls Park. Fourteen people have drowned in the Potomac River Gorge in the past two years.

Linda Davidson / THE WASHINGTON POST

Extreme kayaker Jason Beakes runs the rapids in Great Falls Park. He is one of 11 experienced kayakers in the Potomac Paddlers Volunteer Corps. “The authorities are realizing that maybe people like us kayakers are a real solution to a lot of these problems,” he says.

Extreme kayaker Jason Beakes runs the rapids in Great Falls Park. He is one of 11 experienced kayakers in the Potomac Paddlers Volunteer Corps. “The authorities are realizing that maybe people like us kayakers are a real solution to a lot of these problems,” he says.

Linda Davidson / THE WASHINGTON POST

Many park rangers, Beakes says, “used to see a guy like me and think, ‘He needs to be watched so he doesn’t do something dumb.’ Really, it’s people who are just walking into the park and don’t know how to be safe.”

Many park rangers, Beakes says, “used to see a guy like me and think, ‘He needs to be watched so he doesn’t do something dumb.’ Really, it’s people who are just walking into the park and don’t know how to be safe.”

Linda Davidson / THE WASHINGTON POST

Nathan Sass runs the rapids in Great Falls Park.

Nathan Sass runs the rapids in Great Falls Park.

Linda Davidson / THE WASHINGTON POST

When kayakers like Jason Beakes go out on patrol, they first call the Park Service dispatch to say that they’ll be on the river. They keep an eye out for unsafe behavior and submit an informal e-mail report when they are done.

When kayakers like Jason Beakes go out on patrol, they first call the Park Service dispatch to say that they’ll be on the river. They keep an eye out for unsafe behavior and submit an informal e-mail report when they are done.

Linda Davidson / THE WASHINGTON POST

Extreme kayaker Nathan Sass packs his gear after running the rapids in Great Falls Park.

Extreme kayaker Nathan Sass packs his gear after running the rapids in Great Falls Park.

Linda Davidson / THE WASHINGTON POST

Jason Beakes packs up his kayak in Great Falls Park. “The Park Service is endorsing kayak sports as a safe way to enjoy the river,” Beakes says. “It’s a radical shift.”

Jason Beakes packs up his kayak in Great Falls Park. “The Park Service is endorsing kayak sports as a safe way to enjoy the river,” Beakes says. “It’s a radical shift.”

Linda Davidson / THE WASHINGTON POST

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