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Explore the Tennessee River basin! Join Paddle Georgia June 15-22 or opt for a 2, 3, or 4 day trip. Register here. |
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Georgia Rivers works statewide, but we don't work alone. Over 25 years we have developed meaningful partnerships across the Georgia to make our big dreams possible.
For example, it was six years ago that Georgia Rivers and Trust for Public Lands wrote a grant proposal to secure Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Program funding to develop campsites along the Chattahoochee River Water Trail and promote river recreation tourism with the Georgia River Guide app. In April Georgia Rivers led the first group to experience the new paddle-in campsites with the Chattahoochee RiverLands project.
On May 17 Georgia Rivers and our partners will host six Kayaking 101 classes across the state to kick off National Safe Boating Week. Hosting six events - simultaneously! - is only possible with the help of a variety of partners.
Part of our legacy as Georgia Rivers is envisioning dream trips and events. After all, we do host Paddle Georgia, the largest week-long camp and paddle adventure in the nation! Each time we take a leap of faith to start a new program we have been surprised again and again by partners who are also passionate about our vision to connect more people with Georgia rivers.
Every partner, including members and donors, make our work possible. It is with your long-term partnerships that we are able to create sustainable programming. I am thankful to have you as partners, fellow conservationists, and friends.
Yours in river recreation and conservation,
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Rena Ann Peck
Executive Director
| | Georgia Partners Host NSBW Kayaking 101 | | |
Take our Kayaking 101 class to get ready for a safe summer on the water!
Georgia Rivers and partners will offer low-cost kayak instruction classes at multiple locations across Georgia on May 17 to kick off National Safe Boating Week.
Participating locations include:
- Allatoona Lake, Old Hwy 41 #2 Day Use Area, Acworth, GA
- Allatoona Lake, Kellogg Creek Day Use Area, Acworth, GA
- Chattahoochee River, Chattahoochee Hills RiverLands Park, Chattahoochee Hills, GA
- Lake Oconee, Lawrence Shoals Campground, Eatonton, GA
- Skidaway Island, Rodney Hall Boat Ramp, Savannah, GA
- Lake Lanier, Shady Grove Campground, Cumming, GA
All classes will be held on Saturday, May 17 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, rain or shine.
NSBW Kayaking 101 costs just $15 per person! (including a free kayak rental for anyone who signs up for it at registration) This type of training often retails for $75-$150!
All instructors are Georgia volunteers who are nationally certified with the American Canoe Association to give paddling and rescue training, and are supported by experienced safety teams.
| | In addition to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Allatoona Lake and Georgia Rivers, partnering organizations include: US Coast Guard Auxiliary, Georgia Power Company, Trust for Public Lands, Forsyth County Parks and Recreation, NOC Chattahoochee Outpost, City of Chattahoochee Hills, Moon River Kayak Tours, Middle Georgia Kayaking, Miller Kayak Trips and Training, Georgia Canoeing Association, and the instructors of ACA Georgia. | | Gala Sponsorships Support Paddle Georgia | | |
This year's Georgia Rivers Gala will celebrate the 20th anniversary of Paddle Georgia!
Join us September 18 at the Allen Meadow in Atlanta to help us continue paddle trips across the state.
Paddle Georgia has introduced thousands of people to Georgia rivers who have become strong advocates for river recreation and conservation. Sponsor the Georgia Rivers Gala and become a valuable partner supporting Paddle Georgia events.
Georgia Rivers Gala sponsorships open May 1. Early bird tickets at $175 per person ends May 15.
| | Photo Credit Tennessee RiverLine | | Paddle Georgia Partner Spotlight: Tennessee RiverLine | | |
The final five days of Paddle Georgia 2025 will follow the course of the Tennessee RiverLine, a 652-mile water trail stretching from Knoxville to the Ohio River.
Behind this water trail is the Tennessee RiverLine organization—a regional partnership led by University of Tennessee and Tennessee Valley Authority.
Tennessee RiverLine works to strengthen community vitality, expand and improve access to the river for more people, and catalyze economic development, tourism, and stewardship.
Experience the Tennessee RiverLine on Paddle Georgia! Join us June 15-22 or opt for a 2, 3, or 4 day trip.
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River Kayaking Progression Series
May 3 + 10 + 18
This training series starts in the shallow waters of the Chattahoochee River in Roswell and works up to the more challenging Metro Hooch section in Sandy Springs.
Register here.
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Intro to Kayaking
May 11 + June 14 in Acworth
June 14 in Savannah
Get you more familiar with the features of your boat and paddle and gain confidence planning your adventures.
Register here.
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Rescue for Rec Boaters
June 28-29 in Acworth
This entry-level safety and rescue class will give you confidence while paddling flat water lakes and slow moving rivers. A comprehensive Safety & Rescue class for lake and Class I river paddlers is a rare offering in this region!
Register here.
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Paddle Georgia
June 15-22 on the Tennessee River
2, 3, and 4 day trip options available.
Celebrate Paddle Georgia’s 20th anniversary on a journey down the Tennessee River that will take us through three states (Georgia, Tennessee and Alabama).
Register here.
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All 2025 kayak and water safety classes are open for registration!
Our classes are intentionally structured for buildable education from Intro to Kayaking in a lake and Intro to River Kayaking in moving water to Rescue for Rec Boaters to master recovery skills.
| | Paddle Trip Scholarships Are Available! | | |
Through funding from our many supporters and sponsors, Georgia Rivers is offering scholarships that provide full and partial complimentary registrations for qualifying individuals.
Priority will be given to women, people of color, recent immigrants to the U.S. and low income individuals and families.
| | Inaugural Chattahoochee Camp + Paddle Adventure | | |
Georgia Rivers was the first group to experience the new Chattahoochee RiverLands paddle-in-campsites along the Chattahoochee River in South Fulton County.
The weekend adventure began in historic Campbellton and continued through the City of Chattahoochee Hills, finally concluding at Carroll County's McIntosh Reserve.
The new campsites (complete with covered shelter, flush toilets, shower, electric-device charging stations, fire pits, grilling stations and primitive tent-camping sites!) are a remarkable addition to outdoor recreation opportunities in the Metro Atlanta area.
Plan your camp + paddle adventure at Chattahoochee RiverLands! Hopefully, these campsites will prove a model for other similar public facilities on Georgia's other rivers!
| | Protecting Okefenokee's Peatlands | | |
Rena Ann Peck shared about peatland carbon storage within the Okefenokee at the Super South Summit. Other speakers discussed innovations for fostering a circular economy, showcasing sustainable technologies and accelerating climate action.
We need to protect the naturally fluctuating water levels and surface fires that maintain the swamp and its vast peatlands. Help us protect the Wild Heart of Georgia!
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