Paddle Georgia 2012 begins this weekend in Reidsville

More than 350 paddlers will traverse some 105 miles of the Altamaha River June 16-22 as part of Paddle Georgia 2012, a week-long canoe/kayak journey organized by Georgia River Network (GRN). Approximately 30 paddlers will also participate in the weekend only version – Paddle Georgia Lite.

Paddle Georgia 2012 will show paddlers the Altamaha River from Reidsville to Darien on Georgia’s coast. Paddlers’ will be introduced to Georgia’s Coastal Plain beauty as they travel down Georgia’s largest river, ending amongst the marshes of McIntosh County. This will be the first Paddle Georgia to finish on the Georgia coast.

 

The paddlers will call Reidsville, Jesup, Glynn County and Darien home for the week, camping at Tattnall County High School June 15-17, Wayne County High School June 18-20, Altamaha Regional Park June 21, and downtown Darien June 22.

The event includes educational programs on the river’s cultural and natural history, tours of facilities and historic sites located along the river, nightly games and entertainment, and even a research program in which participants will help collect chemical and biological data to give a snapshot of the river’s current health in conjunction with the Georgia Adopt-A-Stream program.

The trip culminates June 24 with a Trip’s End celebration and feast in Darien. Members of the community are invited to attend the event, which includes a low country boil and will go from 4:00 – 8:00 PM. Dinner will begin at 5:30. All proceeds from the dinner benefit Altamaha Riverkeeper.

This is the eighth year for Paddle Georgia. In the event’s first seven years, organizers have guided more than 2100 paddlers down more than 700 miles of Georgia rivers, including trips on the Chattahoochee, Etowah, Ocmulgee, Flint, Coosawattee, Oostanaula, Broad, Savannah and Oconee rivers. The trips have generated more than $120,000 for river protection in Georgia.

Paddle Georgia participants range in age from four to 84 and come from across the country. Eight Georgia teachers sponsored by a grant from Mohawk Industries will also be on the trip to participate and receive Project WET and Adopt-A-Stream training.

A portion of the proceeds from this year’s event will benefit Altamaha Riverkeeper.

Information for the media, including a daily itinerary, directions to camp, launch sites, and take-out sites can be found on the Paddle Georgia website: .

Paddle Georgia is a project of Georgia River Network. Georgia River Network is a statewide organization working to ensure a clean water legacy by engaging and empowering Georgians to protect and restore our rivers from the mountains to the coast.

Event Sponsors:

Georgia Power, Hennessey Land Rover, Patagonia, Johnson Outdoors, Mohawk Carpet Foundation, The Outside World, Dock Supply, Cedar Creek RV & Outdoor Center, Stream Techs, Coca-Cola Refreshments, China Clay Producers Association, The Rain Barrel Depot, Inkhead, Jackson Spalding, Bridgestone, Republic Services, Advanced Elements, REI, Chick-Fil-A

Event Partners:

Georgia Canoe Association, Altamaha Riverkeeper, Georgia Adopt-A-Stream, Project Wet, City of Darien, Altamaha River Partnership, Wayne County Board of Tourism, Tattnall County Chamber of Commerce