February 25, 2026 – Women, minorities, recent immigrants and low-income families will have the opportunity to explore Georgia rivers through more than two dozen canoe/kayak adventures, kayak fishing trips and kayaking classes offered by Georgia Rivers, a statewide river advocacy organization.
With support from its many sponsors and supporters, the Athens-based group is offering full and partial scholarships to qualifying individuals and families to participate in its day trips, weekend adventures and its week-long Paddle Georgia event set for June 14-20 on the Cartecay, Coosawattee and Oostanaula rivers.
“We recognize the cost of registration and access to boats, gear and equipment are often barriers for many to join our trips,” said Rena Ann Peck, Georgia Rivers Executive Director, “Our goal is to connect all Georgians with the beauty and fun that can be experienced on Georgia’s rivers. This program is about encouraging participation among groups that are often underrepresented in the paddlesports and river advocacy communities.”
Most trips are suitable for beginners and novices, including “learn-to-kayak” day trips on the Chattahoochee River near Atlanta June 6 and the Etowah River near Cartersville July 18. Other day trips include adventures on the Broad River near Athens May 23, Chattooga River near Summerville July 25, Chattahoochee River in Columbus Aug. 8, Toccoa River near Blue Ridge Aug. 22, Oconee River near Athens Sept. 12 and Savannah River near Augusta Nov. 1.
Weekend trips are planned for Spring Creek and the Chattahoochee River near Bainbridge Feb. 28-March 1, Ebenezer and Brier creeks near Springfield March 13-15, St. Marys River near Folkston Apr. 10-12, Ogeechee River near Savannah April 24-26, Chattahoochee River near Atlanta May 1-3, Flint River near Albany Oct. 9-11 and the Okefenokee Swamp near Fargo Nov. 6-8 and Nov. 20-22.
Kayak fishing classes and adventures will be offered March 28 on Lake Allatoona near Acworth, April 18 and Aug. 29 on the Chestatee River near Dahlonega, July 18 and Aug. 15 on the Chattahoochee River near Roswell and Sept. 19-20 on the Flint River near Thomaston.
The organization’s signature event, Paddle Georgia 2026, is a seven-day journey that runs June 14-20, beginning on the Cartecay River near Ellijay and continuing for 95 miles on the Coosawattee and Oostanaula rivers through Calhoun and Rome.
Several of the events highlight Black history along the paddle routes, starting with the Ebenezer-Brier Creek Adventure on March 13-15. Ebenezer Creek is the site of the “Ebenezer Massacre” during the Civil War which led to the federal government’s “40 acres and a mule” policy for emancipated slaves.
During the Okefenokee Swamp trips in November, participants will learn about the all-Black Civilian Conservation Corps camps that were responsible for building and maintaining some of the original recreational canoe trails in the swamp in the late 1930s.
Most trips will be co-led by minority paddlers who have earned national certification as American Canoe Association (ACA) kayaking instructors.
“These trips are a great opportunity to connect to Black cultural history through the vehicle of kayaking,” said Janina Edwards, an ACA Level 2 River Kayaking Instructor.
Individuals interested in exploring the state’s rivers on their own can take advantage of Georgia Rivers’ Georgia River Guide app, available at both android and Apple app stores for free. The app provides detailed information for boaters about how to access and what to expect on dozens of Georgia rivers and streams. Learn more about the app at https://garivers.org/georgiariverguide/
Georgia Rivers, also known as Georgia River Network, is a 501c3 non-profit organization with the mission of connecting people with and protecting Georgia’s rivers. It serves as Georgia Department of Natural Resources non-profit partnering to coordinate the state’s water trail program.