Alpharetta Family Plans Week On The River

Alpharetta residents Cecie, Nic and Juliana Harrington are gearing up to paddle 105 miles this summer as part of Georgia River Network’s (GRN) Paddle Georgia 2012, a week-long canoe/kayak journey which this year will take place June 16-22 on the mighty Altamaha River from Baxley to Darien. The annual canoe and kayak adventure brings together more than 300 people each year from across the Southeast, the U.S. and Canada for a week-long journey.

An annual educational adventure and fundraiser for GRN, a statewide river advocacy group, Paddle Georgia is entering its eighth year. 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 organizers said via email that the popular trip has become the largest week-long canoe/kayak camping adventure in the country. Registration for Paddle Georgia 2012 opened in mid-February and the trip sold out in just over 2 weeks.

Paddle Georgia 2012 will introduce paddlers’ to Georgia’s Coastal Plain beauty. The trip will begin near Baxley and paddlers will travel down 105 miles of Georgia’s largest river, the Altamaha, ending amongst the marshes of McIntosh County at the city of Darien. This will be the first Paddle Georgia to finish on the Georgia coast.

Fashioned after the annual Bicycle Ride Across Georgia, Paddle Georgia is more than just a canoe trip. 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 current health of the rivers.

Organizers are billing it as an inexpensive, eco-friendly vacation. “For less than $60 a day you get an all inclusive vacation,” said Georgia River Network Executive Director, April Ingle. “Paddlers meet great people, learn about our rivers and see parts of Georgia most people never get a chance to see.”

The trip is suitable for novice paddlers as well as experienced paddlers. Paddlers range in age from four to 80, with many families participating. Registration fees range from $140 to $225 for the seven-day trip.

On the river by day, at night, the participants will camp at Tattnall County High School, Wayne County High School, Altamaha Regional Park, and Darien. For additional fees, catered breakfasts and dinners are provided, along with sack lunches.

In addition to supporting GRN’s efforts to protect Georgia’s rivers, proceeds from this year’s event will also benefit the Altamaha Riverkeeper.

Through support from Mohawk Carpet and individuals, GRN also offers “scholarships” for both teachers and under-served youth to participate in the trip. Georgia teachers can participate and receive Georgia Adopt-A-Stream and environmental education curriculum training so that they may take their week-long river experience back to their classroom.

Sponsors of the event include 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, and The Rain Barrel Depot.

Georgia River Network is a non-profit 501c3 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.

For more information, contact Joe Cook at 706-409-0128 or via e-mail at joecookpg@gmail.com, or contact April Ingle at 706-549-4508 or via e-mail at ingle@garivers.org, or visit www.garivers.org and click on the Paddle Georgia link.