4-day canoe/kayak adventure from Albany to Bainbridge
AMERICUS — Two Americus residents will participate Oct. 9-12 in the second annual Georgia River Network (GRN) Paddle Georgia Fall Float on the Flint, a four-day, 70-mile paddle journey along southwest Georgia’s Flint River.
Tom and Lynn Weiland will join more than 150 other paddlers from all over Georgia and the Southeast.
“The purpose of the event is to encourage people to protect our rivers, raise funds to help protect these rivers and promote recreational use of our rivers,” said Paddle Georgia Coordinator Joe Cook.
Since GRN’s first Paddle Georgia trip in 2005, GRN has introduced more than 3,600 paddlers to more than 1000 miles of water trails on 12 different rivers. GRN’s Paddle Georgia events have generated more than $250,000 for river protection.
Paddle Georgia Fall Float on the Flint will introduce paddlers to the spring-fed Flint as it winds through Dougherty, Mitchell, Baker and Decatur counties. This 70-mile stretch of river is home to beautiful blue hole springs as well as fascinating limestone bluffs.
“The Flint is one of the most unique rivers in Georgia,” said Cook. “The springs along the river are absolutely breathtaking, wildlife is abundant, and early October is the perfect time to explore south Georgia rivers.”
Daily paddle trips will average about 17 miles, and each night participants will camp at nearby facilities including Chehaw Park in Albany and Rocky Bend Flint River Retreat in Newton.
Participants will learn about the Flint with educational stops at the Flint RiverQuarium in Albany; Radium Springs, one of Georgia’s seven natural wonders; the Jones Ecological Research Center; and Covey Rise Plantation, a commercial quail hunting plantation.
There are still spaces available to participate in the trip.
Registration fees are $220 for adults, $175 for children 8-17 and $35 for children 7 and under. Additional registration information is available at www.garivers.org/paddle_georgia.
Sponsors of the event include Hennessy Land Rover Centres; Georgia Power Co.; Cary S. Baxter, CPA; Patagonia; China Clay Producers Association; CYA Agency, Inc.; Maxxis; Oglethorpe Power; R. Terry Pate, CPA; RS Industrial, Inc.; Simmons Bedding Company; Sole Source Electrical Contractors; StreamTechs; Troncolli Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram Subaru; The Outside World; AR Motorsports, Cedar Creek Park RV and Outdoor Center, Half Moon Outfitters, Fair Shot Coffee, Friends of Georgia State Parks, Geraldine’s Foods. Southern Ag. Carriers, Rocky Bend Flint River Retreat, Fair Shot Coffee, Event partners include American Canoe Association, Flint Riverkeeper, Georgia Canoe Association, Georgia Adopt-A-Stream and Project Wet.
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. Flint Riverkeeper is a non-profit 501c3 organization with the goal of protecting the Flint River in its most natural state for future generations to enjoy.
Those interested in participating can get more information at the Paddle Georgia website at http://www.garivers.org/paddle_georgia or by contacting Joe Cook at 706-409-0128 or  joecookpg@gmail.com, or contacting Dana Skelton at 706-549-4508 or info@garivers.org