SPECIAL NOTE added Mar 8, 2012: As discussed below, the AOC does not handle registration for Paddle Georgia. By signing up for this AOC event you are joining our informal "participation subgroup."
Paddle Georgia 2012 is now officially sold out. To add yourself to their wait list: Email your name, the number in your party and your contact info to info@garivers.org For more info on event procedures, wait list policies, etc, call the GA River Network at 706-549-4508 (and/or click on their weblink below).
ITINERARY NOTE added May 17, 2012: Due to insufficient water levels in the Ohoopee River, the alternate paddling plan discussed below will be used: i.e., the entire river route will be along the Altamaha River.
"PADDLE GEORGIA" IN A NUTSHELL: Bobby and I (Charlie) have had a blast for several years now participating in this amazing week-long paddling and camping event. Again this June we're encouraging kayakers and canoeists of all ability levels to join us and about 300 other paddling enthusiasts from all over the country for the eighth annual "Paddle Georgia." This year the selected river is our state's largest, the Altamaha - also known as "Georgia's Amazon."
The original planned itinerary for Paddle GA 2012 (June 16-22) had been to paddle our first 2 days (Sat & Sun) on the Ohoopee River from Reidsville, GA to its confluence with the Altamaha - then paddle the final 5 days (Mon - Fri) on the Altamaha. But due to low Ohoopee water levels, the decision was announced on May 17th to paddle all 7 days on the much deeper and wider Altamaha.
Our final takeout will be in Darien, GA near the river's mouth on the Atl.antic coast.
Each year the GA River Network staff and their expert volunteers do an outstanding job organizing and overseeing this unforgettable week-long odyssey which includes camping and meals at excellent facilities along the way and truck transportation for our camping & personal gear. Although our total paddling mileage is expected to be about 108 miles (about 15 miles per day) the adventure is considered suitable even for novices.
IMPORTANT! HOW to REGISTER & PAY for PADDLE GEORGIA: We all formally sign up and pay for this event through http://www.GARivers.org./Paddle_Georgia/ - NOT through the AOC! Check out that website and click on their included "Info List" hyperlink to be put on their email list. On Tue Feb 14th formal online registrations began. [Note added March 8th: The trip did indeed fill up quickly, as expected.] Refunds are possible if you have to cancel. Call the GA River Network at 706-549-4508 if you have questions.
PLEASE ALSO JOIN our INFORMAL "AOC PADDLE GEORGIA SUBGROUP" (by clicking, etc. at the base of this webpage - No fee or obligation to participate.) Our goal each year is to support one another with trip advice & planning, boat selection, transportation, camp setup, etc. See more details about this below. We organize our subgroup's activities and services each year as an official AOC "event" at no extra charge to those who also register officially for Paddle GA. If you're not already in the Atlanta Outdoor Club you can sign up online for a free membership (no strings attached) which qualifies you to join our informal subgroup.
"PADDLE LITE" 2-DAY OPTION LOTTERY: Paddlers who can't devote an entire week for the event are welcome to enter a "lottery" (via the "GARivers" webpage linked above) for the privilege of paddling only the first weekend of Paddle Georgia. The number of available "Paddle Lite" spaces will be dictated by how many sign up during the initial sign-up period. (No payments are required until your party is selected and after you have accepted your "winning" of a confirmation.)
A FEW DETAILS: The river selected for 2012 is our state's largest river, the ALTAMAHA, often referred to as "Georgia's Amazon." It drains about a quarter of GA including hundreds of square miles just east of Atlanta where its Ocmulgee and Oconee tributaries begin. At its jungle-like mouth near Darien, GA the Altamaha's sinuous braided channels pour millions of gallons of water each day into the Atlantic.
All paddlers are encouraged to arrive at Tattnall County High School near Reidsville by about 6:00 PM Fri June 15 to take advantage of the big free "Kickoff" feast, safety briefing & program, and that optional extra free first night of camping there.
We'll begin our 108-mile downstream journey on the morning of Sat June 16 near Reidsville. Our final-day Altamaha takeout will be on Fri June 22 in or near the seaport of Darien, GA. (See "LOGISTICS..." paragraph below including shuttle options, etc.)
PADDLE GEORGIA FACEBOOK PAGE: For interesting photos, comments & blogs posted by Paddle GA organizers and paddlers, etc. go to: http://www.facebook.com/paddlegeorgia
AOC SUBGROUP PLAN: We (Charlie and Bobby) have greatly enjoyed our previous Paddle Georgias: the Ocmulgee River in '07, Flint River in '08, Coosawattee-Oostanaula in '09, Broad-Savannah in '10, and Oconee in '11 - also have been privileged to serve as volunteers in support of these and other GA River Network projects.
For those who sign up for our AOC subgroup (at the base of this webpage) we can:
- Further advise you about Paddle GA registration, event options, logistics, etc.,
- Assist you in choosing an appropriate boat and suitable gear for the trip,
- Help you arrange possible carpooling and boat transportation/ shuttling to and from the river, and
- Facilitate our camping & optional activities during the trip.
We'll host a couple of optional informal "Pre-trip Planning Meetings" for our Paddle GA subgroup here in Atlanta - likely on the same 2nd-Tuesday evenings and same place as our monthly AOC Socials - so we can meet one another prior to the trip, address the above issues, and answer everyone's questions.
Bobby has a boat trailer and SUV that he plans to make available on the morning of Sat June 23 for hauling several of our AOC boats (and 3 or 4 passengers) from Darien back to the put-in. Let Bobby know ASAP if you're interested in this special private shuttle as a simpler alternative to Paddle GA's optional charter bus/truck shuttle system. We encourage others in our subgroup who may have large vehicles, boat racks, etc. to pitch in with our carpooling and gear shuttling plan.
Bobby again will be volunteering on behalf of our AOC subgroup to raise funds (in the 3 or 4 months prior to Paddle GA) for the annual "Canoe-a-thon" campaign that supports the many projects of the GA River Network. Our voluntary contributions to this worthy endeavor are much appreciated, so contact Bobby if you can help.
LOGISTICS & TRANSPORTATION for PADDLERS, BOATS & CAMPING GEAR:
A Suitable Boat is your personal choice and responsibility (plus paddle(s), lifejackets, etc. and their transportation to the initial put-in or from the final takeout). Most paddlers choose lightweight and simple sit-inside or sit-on-top single kayaks, although tandem canoes or kayaks are also a great idea if you have a compatible paddling partner. Since there are no rapids this year a sea kayak might be a good choice, and would be esp. suitable as we near the coast. Daily paddling distances average about 15 miles and none of these legs are considered "technical," although we may have occasional tree and brush deadfalls on the Ohoopee to maneuver through.
Nightly Camping is provided usually at college campuses or schools that are a convenient ride to & from the river via the included Paddle GA buses.
Our Camping Gear and personal effects are hauled for us to the next campsite in a semi-truck (on the 2 or 3 days when campsite moves are necessary) so there's no need to paddle with gear in our boats other than our lunch, some water/beverages, our camera, and a few other personal items.
Shuttle Options at beginning and end of week: The Paddle GA Staff offers convenient optional transportation for paddlers (about $25 per person via air-conditioned bus) and for our boats (about $20 per boat via truck). Their "Kick-Off-Day" option (midday Fri June 15) is for those who prefer leaving their car all week at our downstream takeout in Darien. Their "Last-Day" option (Sat. AM June 23) is for those who leave their car all week at our upstream 1st-few-nights' campsite near Reidsville.
As discussed above, Bobby has volunteered his boat trailer and SUV to assist a few of us with a end-of-trip shuttle back to our 1st-nights campsite. Others who have large vehicles, trailers, cartop boat racks, etc. are also encouraged to provide inexpensive assistance for our AOC subgroup in the interest of making more space for others on the official Paddle GA shuttles.
WHERE DO WE "CAMP?" The Paddle GA staff normally arranges for the group to use the nice air-conditioned facilities of high schools and colleges near the river with convenient school bus transportation provided to and from the river. Most participants prefer to sleep without a tent in the air-conditioned gyms and others erect their tents in the adjoining schoolyards. Hot showers and clean toilet facilities are usually available at schools or other provided campsites.
CAMPING LOCATIONS (added Mar 8th):
Fri PM - Mon AM: Tattnall County High School, Reidsville, GA
Mon PM - Wed AM: Wayne County High School, Jesup, GA
Thu PM - Fri AM: Altamaha River Park by river.
Fri PM - Sat AM (opt.): By Altamaha takeout in Darien, GA
Special Note for "Gym Campers": We'll camp Thu night at Altamaha River Park which adjoins our river takeout that afternoon. For that night only, paddlers who normally sleep in air-conditioned gyms, etc. should consider packing a small tent or at least some mosquito netting, etc. The Paddle GA team will erect a large open-sided canopy tent team that "gym campers" can sleep under on Thu night if you like.
MORE ON BOATS & GEAR: 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 canoe or kayak (owned, borrowed or rented) + paddles & lifejackets.
An inexpensive place to rent a boat and gear this year is: Altamaha Coastal Tours, www.altamaha.com (912-437-6010) Email: info@altamaha.com Address: 229 Fort King George Rd, Darien, GA 3130.
An alternate boat rental outfitter here in metro Atlanta is www.LilyDipper.com 770-744-5459) near Canton off I-575 and GA-20. Both outfitters can provide assistance and tiedown gear for carrying your rental boat safely atop your vehicle, etc.
YOUR EVENT REGISTRATION FEE INCLUDES:
1. Nightly Camping with entertainment, educational programs and games. A big "Kickoff Dinner" and "River's-End Cookout and Party" are included. (An excellent Meals Package for any or all of the other meals is available optionally for an extra charge - see below.)
2. Ground Transportation each morning from campsite to river put-in and each afternoon from take-out to campsite,
3. Truck Transportation for camping gear and personal bags from each campsite to the next (typically 3 or 4 campsite moves during week),
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.
7. "Paddle Georgia" T-Shirt & Decal, waterproof Map Case and package of other nice "freebies."
MEALS: Details of an excellent optional meals package will be posted on the GARivers.com website and emailed to all who register. Breakfasts & Dinners are served at the campsite and bag Lunches are made up each morning for our enjoyment on the river. You can opt for the “Full Meals Deal” (recommended! - $193 for the week) - or pre-order the specific meals you'd like to have with the group. If you choose to provide your own meals keep in mind that access to grocery stores or ice will be limited and that cooking is not allowed at the campsites.
PARTIAL DAILY ITINERARY: (For more details of the day-by-day paddling plan, click on "Journey Details" on the left side of the GARivers/Paddle_Georgia home page. We'll camp all week at 3 to 4 different schools or other locations to be announced.)
Fri Jun 15: 1:00-8:00 PM: Registration and boat dropoff at designated Altamaha River landing near US-1 bridge, about 25 miles SW of Reidsville.
6:30-9:30 PM Fri: Kickoff Feast & Program
Sat Jun 16: 7:00-8:00 AM: Latecomer registration & boat dropoff.
7:30 AM - 4:00 PM: First day of paddling.
Sunday-Fri: Six more days of paddling, camping & special tours/programs.
Fri Jun 22: 1:00-7:30 PM: "Rivers' End Celebration & Feast in Darien vicinity followed by optional free final night of camping.
MORE PADDLE GA 2012 DETAILS may be added here as they become known. (For updated news check periodically http://www.garivers.org./paddle_georgia/ and its above-linked Facebook page and related blogs.) |
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