Georgia Rivers

Some glamour shots from today's whitewater paddle on the Coosawattee River for Paddle Georgia 2026!

Next, we take on the Coosawattee River below the dam on Carters Lake.

Cartecay River ➡️ Coosawattee River for Paddle Georgia 2026 Day 1

A little rain never stopped a dedicated paddler! Participants arrived at the take-out a little soggy but with smiles on their faces.

Tomorrow, we take on the Coosawattee!

It's Paddle Georgia 2026 Kick-Off Day!

We're here in Ellijay, Georgia with nearly 300 paddlers ready to take on the Cartecay River tomorrow.

Thank you to our wonderful sponsors and participants for making the 21st annual Paddle Georgia happen!

Follow along this week to virtually join the 95-mile journey.

Win this Crescent CK1 Venture Kayak valued at $1000 in the Georgia Rivers Paddle Georgia 2026 kayak raffle courtesy of Murph's Surf and Crescent Kayak. Purchase your tickets NOW at: https://rafflecreator.com/pages/55174/kayak-raffle---june-2026 All proceeds support Georgia Rivers' efforts to protect and connect people with Georgia's rivers. Winner announced June 19 during Paddle Georgia. You need not be present to win this ORANGE Crescent CK1. Tickets are $5 each or 6 for $25.

A big shout out to Janina Edwards, Sylvester Pierce, Don Hayes, McClain Martin and Les Duncan for leading and instructing on Georgia Rivers Chattahoochee River Learn-To-Kayak adventure this weekend in Roswell. Some 20 new paddlers learned strokes and safety. Said one participant: "Thank you and your team for the amazing and unforgettable experience. My children enjoyed the trip so much that they talked about it for the rest of the day yesterday." See all of Georgia Rivers on-water adventures at www.garivers.org/events

"Okefenokee" the thoroughbred horse is racing at the Belmont Stakes weekend!

Okefenokee the horse is owned by the West Paces Racing partnership co-founded by Keith Mason and Larry Connolly. This horse is making its first start in final race today at Saratoga in the Belmont Stakes weekend.

“The Okefenokee Swamp is so popular now that a horse at the Belmont Stakes weekend is named Okefenokee.

It’s been a long race but we’re going to get the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge to the finish line this summer to become America’s next World Heritage Site - joining World Heritage List legendary winners like Grand Canyon & Great Pyramids! Goooo Okefenokee!!!” — Rena Ann Peck, Georgia Rivers Executive Director

Watch on FOX Sports this weekend!
https://www.nyra.com/belmont-stakes/

Itching for a new kayak?

Play and win in the Georgia Rivers PADDLE GEORGIA 2026 Kayak Raffle in which one lucky winner will take home a Crescent Kayaks CK1 Kayak donated by Murphs Surf with outlets at Morgan Falls Lake and multiple Lake Allatoona locations.

Each raffle ticket puts your name in the hat, so the more tickets you buy, the greater your chances to win! All funds raised support Georgia Rivers' work to protect and connect people with Georgia rivers.

The raffle closes Friday, June 19th, with the winner announced at PADDLE GEORGIA and on social media. You don't have to be present to win the kayak.

Purchase raffle tickets here: https://rafflecreator.com/pages/55174/kayak-raffle---june-2026

A REMINDER! Tonight at 7 p.m. we will host our Paddle Georgia 2026 Zoom Information Session. You can join in the fun at: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/9749672913?omn=81886183493 We'll provide an overview of the trip set for June 14-20 on the Cooswattee and Oostanaula rivers, campsites and logistics. Then, we will answer any questions you might have. BE THERE!

Paddle Georgia is creeping ever so closer and we're preparing by educating some of our participants in basic water safety! Nine participants received water safety training from Georgia Rivers Andrew Kraft and volunteer Mike Henry this Saturday in Chattahoochee Hills. Some will be assisting as safety boaters during our journey down the Coosawattee and Oostanaula Rivers set for June 14-20!