$10,000 IN PRIZES TO BE AWARDED IN GEORGIA RIVER NETWORK PADDLE-A-THON
As the Georgia General Assembly wrestles with where Georgians have the legal right to boat, the Athens-based river advocacy group Georgia River Network aims to use its annual Paddle-a-thon contest to document where Georgians are boating.
In the free canoe/kayak/paddleboard event, participants compete in a host of categories ranging from most miles paddled to most trash removed from rivers. Participants can also solicit donations from friends and family to support the organization’s river advocacy efforts. More than $10,000 in prizes will be awarded to top paddlers and fundraisers.
“Paddle-a-thon is an effort to encourage everyone to explore Georgia’s rivers,” said Rena Peck, Georgia River Network executive director, “But this year, it’s also an opportunity for the paddling public to document use on their favorite paddling rivers. Right now, that’s critically important because for the past year state leaders have been wrestling with decisions about where the public should have access to our waterways.”
Legislation proposed in the General Assembly in February would codify a list of “navigable streams” on which the public would be guaranteed the right to boat, fish and hunt.
“Guaranteeing those rights on our big rivers is great,” Peck said, “Unfortunately, Georgia’s 1863 definition of navigable rivers is very restrictive and doesn’t reflect how we use our rivers today. The proposed list omitted streams the paddling public has used for decades and where entrepreneurial outfitters are actively doing business. The public’s right to use these smaller streams should also be protected.”
Paddle-a-thon organizers are asking participants to log their trips through the event’s online forms, creating an inventory of all of the state’s streams that are currently “navigated” by paddlers.
The competition runs through October 1, 2024; all paddle trips conducted between Jan. 1 and Oct. 1, 2024 are eligible for inclusion in the competition. There is no cost to enter.
Paddlers will compete for dozens of prizes, including a $500 gift certificate from Public Lands in Kennesaw (Most Trash Removed); a $500 gift certificate from Cedar Creek Outdoor Center in Hiram (Most Miles Paddled) and a $1,300 paddleboard from Murph’s Surf in Canton (Most Standup Paddleboard trips). Additionally, the top ten contestants who raise the most money for river protection will vie for a host of prizes, including a $1,000 grand prize—a gift certificate from Cedar Creek Outdoor Center.
Participants can choose to paddle and raise funds or simply compete in the paddling categories. Last year, the top paddler covered more than 400 miles. Winners will be announced in October. More details and registration information can be found at https://www.mightycause.com/event/Paddleathon2024.
The contest includes partnerships with numerous paddling communities with prizes awarded to top paddlers in these groups:
● Georgia Canoeing Association (paid member): most whitewater paddle trips.
● Middle Georgia Kayaking Facebook group: most miles paddled.
● Kayak Georgia Facebook group: most miles paddled in Georgia.
● Georgia Kayak Fishing Facebook group: most kayak fishing trips.
● Atlanta SUPper Club Facebook group: most standup paddleboard adventures.
In addition to individual competitions, contestants can organize teams to compete for prizes including a paddle trip and dinner party for up to 25 people courtesy of the Georgia River Network.
Georgia is home to more than 70,000 miles of rivers and streams, more than 400,000 acres of public reservoirs and some 850 square miles of estuaries along its 100-mile-long coast. Potential paddle routes can be found on the organization’s Georgia River Guide App, a comprehensive guide to 38 water trails across the state. The app is available for free in Google and Apple app stores.
Georgia River Network has some 30 on-water events planned for 2024, including its signature event, Paddle Georgia 2024, and an exciting slate of kayaking skills and safety classes. The full calendar of events can be viewed at www.garivers.org/events
Paddle-A-Thon supporters include Cedar Creek Outdoor Center, Murph’s Surf, Public Lands, Wildwater Rafting, Southeast Adventure Outfitters, Oconee Outfitters, The Hike Inn, Patagonia, Purina, The Canoe House, Whitewater Express, Mustang Survival, Ocmulgee Outfitters, Savannah Canoe and Kayak, Westbrook Supply, Whitewater Express, REI, Festive Water and Georgia Department of Natural Resources State Parks and Historic Sites.
Partners include: Kayak Georgia, Atlanta SUPper Club, Georgia Kayak Fishing, Middle Georgia Kayaking and Georgia Canoeing Association.
Based in Athens, Georgia River Network is a 501c3 organization with the mission to protect and connect people with Georgia’s rivers.
