Paddle Georgia Week of Kayaking/Canoeing & Camping

OVERVIEW: We’re recruiting a group of experienced AOC kayakers and canoeists to join up to 300 other paddlers from all over the country for the sixth annual week-long “Paddle Georgia,” June 19-25.  This canoeing/ kayaking and camping event will come together this year on NE Georgia’s beautiful Broad and Savannah Rivers and a portion of Clarks Hill Lake where the Broad flows into the Savannah.  The 82-mile journey will begin on June 19 near Franklin Springs, GA and end on June 25 in Augusta.
  Daily paddling distances range from eight to eighteen miles and none of the legs are considered especially technical, although there will be occasional intermediate rapids on the first two or three days (see below).  On days when campsite moves are necessary, our camping gear, etc. is hauled for us to the next campsite in a semi-truck, so there's no need to paddle with any gear in our boats other than our lunch, some water/beverages and a little personal gear.
  Charlie and Bobby, our AOC co-leaders for this event, have greatly enjoyed previous Paddle Georgias: the Ocmulgee River in '07, Flint River in '08, and Coosawattee-Oostanaula in '09.  They will assist our informal AOC "sub-group" in assembling appropriate gear, setting up carpooling to and from the river, facilitating our camping & optional activities during the trip, etc.
  If there's enough interest, we'll host an informal AOC "Pre-trip Planning Meeting" here in Atlanta (6-7PM June 8 at same place as the AOC's June Social) so we can meet one another prior to the trip and answer everyone's questions.

REGISTER & PAY ONLINE AT THE FOLLOWING WEBSITE.  Although we’re listing this as an “AOC event” you do not formally register or pay through the AOC.  After signing up below for our informal AOC sub-group, go to Paddle Georgia’s official website (at the following link) for complete details and to sign up and pre-pay for this amazing adventure.

      http://www.GARivers.org/Paddle_Georgia/pghome.html

WHERE DO WE CAMP? Tent camping will be by the river or at nearby facilities
such as a local high school. Indoor or sheltered camping is normally available each night for those without tents.  We may spend up to 3 nights in some well-equipped campsites that are convenient to more than one of our river access points.  Hot showers and clean toilet facilities are normally available at all campsites. 

MORE ON THE RIVERS AND REQUIRED GEAR:  On the first couple of days there will occasional Class I and Class II rapids (with a possible Class III or two at higher water levels—but these can be portaged around if you like).  During the rest of the week there will be occasional Class I rapids.  Security is provided for boats each night at river takeout points (where boats are launched at the same point next morning).  You must provide your own (owned or rented) canoe or kayak + paddles & lifejackets.  A great local place to rent an appropriate boat is WhiteWaterGeorgia.com near Lenox Square -- contact Bruce Williams at 404-231-0042.  Bruce can provide all the necessary gear—also personal assistance for hauling his rental boats atop your vehicle.

YOUR EVENT REGISTRATION FEE (via the above PaddleGA Website) INCLUDES:
1) Nightly Camping with entertainment, educational programs, games and optional meals package. A big "Kickoff Cookout" and "River's End" cookout are included at no extra charge.
2) Ground Transportation between campsites and river put-in and take-out points,
3) Truck Transportation between campsites for camping gear & personal bags,
4) Companionship and camaraderie with dozens of fellow paddlers,
5) Optional Daily Environmental & Natural History Programs including tours of riverside historic sites, nature preserves, etc.
6) Optional Scientific Research training in chemical & biological water monitoring.

MEALS:  An excellent optional meal package is available.  On the above-listed website select either the “Full Meals Deal” (recommended!) or specific meals that you wish to have with the group.

DAILY PADDLING ITINERARY:
Sat June 19: - US-29 to GA-172 - 13 miles
Sun June 20: GA-172 to GA-72 - 9 miles
Mon June 21: GA-72 to GA-77  - 12 miles
Tue June 22: GA-77 to Clarks Hill Lake - 18 miles
Wed June 23: Portion of Clarks Hill Lake  - 7 miles
Thu June 24: Clarks Hill Dam to Augusta Canal - 14 miles
Fri June 25: Augusta Canal to Augusta - 8 miles

OUR FIRST-DAY PUT-IN on SAT JUNE 19 will be just SW of Franklin Springs, GA at the US-29 Broad River Bridge.  This is near the junction of US-29 and GA-174, about 15 miles SE of I-85 Exit #160.  Drive time from Atlanta is about 90 minutes via I-85 North, GA-51 and GA-174.  The final-day takeout on Fri June 25 will be in Augusta a few miles south of I-20.
  More complete directions will follow as details about nightly campsites, etc. become publicized by the Paddle GA staff.  Our Fri-Sun campsite location for the first weekend will be the campus of Emanuel College in Franklin Springs, GA, which is within a few miles of our Saturday and Sunday river put-ins

There is a cost for this event, but you DO NOT PAY THROUGH AOC!

YOUR EVENT REGISTRATION FEE (via the above Paddle_GA Website) INCLUDES:

1) Nightly Camping with entertainment, educational programs, games and optional meals package. A big "Kickoff Cookout" and "River's End" cookout are included at no extra charge.

2) Ground Transportation between campsites and river put-in and take-out points,

3) Truck Transportation between campsites for camping gear & personal bags,

4) Companionship and camaraderie with dozens of fellow paddlers,

5) Optional Daily Programs including tours of riverside historic sites, nature preserves, etc.

6) Optional Scientific Research training in chemical and biological water monitoring.

If you need to cancel after you have registered for the event through www.garivers.org/paddle_georgia contact Dana at info@garivers.org.  Cancellation of your registration will be permitted through June 1 with a nominal processing fee deducted from your refund.  There is no refund for event cancellations after June 1.  Cancellations of optional meals packages and optional (1st-day or last-day) shuttles are permitted thru June 15, with refunds granted.
If you have to cancel your Paddle GA registration, please also cancel your participation in our informal AOC Paddle Georgia sub-group by going to the base of this AOC event announcement article and clicking "Delete your registration," etc. (at no charge, of course).