Blog Post, Events canoochee, canoochee paddle race

Canoochee Paddle Race – 2023 Results

by Ogeechee Riverkeeper April 24, 2023

A huge thanks to everyone who came out for the return of the Canoochee Paddle Race. The 2023 edition was held on Earth Day, April 22, from Brewton Bridge to Rocks River, along 7+/- miles of the river.

The event was made possible with help from:

The raffle prizes were donated by:

Winners

Download full race results

Single winners

Jon Dedic – 1:21:48.9
Carl Fuller – 1:28:39.0
Michael Downs – 1:29:28.5

Tandem winners

Kyle Lott and friend – 1:31:55.5
Shawn Rosenquist and son – 1:36:37.1
Tom Oxnard and John Schoettle- 1:47:35.4

Creative Costume Award

Brent Croft

Best Dressed Award

Jordan Light and Mary Elizabeth Scott

Dynamic Duo

Damien and Heather Scott

Lazy River Award

Casey Corbett – 3:18:44.3

Download full race results

Handmade trophies, created with the help of middle school students

Blog Post, Press Releases canoochee, evans county, paddle race

RELEASE: ORK revives popular Canoochee Paddle Race

by Ogeechee Riverkeeper February 16, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
02/16/2023
Contact: Meaghan Walsh Gerard
Communications and Administrative Director
meaghan@ogeecheeriverkeeper.org

OGEECHEE RIVERKEEPER REVIVES CANOOCHEE PADDLE RACE
The popular event returns to Evans County

Ogeechee Riverkeeper (ORK) will host the Canoochee Paddle Race on Saturday, April 22, 2023 in Evans County, Georgia. The race will begin at 9 a.m., with fun paddlers to follow.

The race will take place along approximately seven miles of the Canoochee River, from Brewton Bridge to Rocks River Bridge landing. Rocks River Bridge landing will also serve as the headquarters for the awards presentation, winners circle, food vendors, and entertainment. Everyone is welcome to come cheer for the racers and enjoy a day out by the river.

Paddlers of kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and canoes are welcome to compete. Non-racing paddlers are also welcome to follow the route after racers have started. Entrants will receive a vessel identifier, map, and official race t-shirt. Registrants will receive packet pick-up information via email. Entry is $50 per vessel, regardless of racing status.

ORK does not provide vessels or equipment. Personal flotation devices are required for each participant. Entry is limited to 100 participants and pre-registration is required. The deadline to register is Wednesday, April 19, 2023, at noon.

Where: Canoochee River, Evans County
Rocks River Bridge Landing: GPS 32.184196, -81.889276
When: Saturday, April 22, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Cost: $50 per vessel; $30 for student paddlers; Free to cheer for the paddlers
Details and registration: https://www.ogeecheeriverkeeper.org/events/canoochee-paddle-race/

About Ogeechee Riverkeeper: Ogeechee Riverkeeper 501(c)(3) works to protect, preserve, and improve the water quality of the Ogeechee River basin, which includes all of the streams flowing out to Ossabaw Sound and St. Catherine’s Sound. The Canoochee River is about 108 miles long and the Ogeechee River itself is approximately 245 miles long. The Ogeechee River system drains more than 5,500 square miles across 21 counties in Georgia. More at ogeecheeriverkeeper.org.

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canoochee, claxton, evans county, paddle race

Canoochee Paddle Race

by Ogeechee Riverkeeper February 16, 2023

Ogeechee Riverkeeper (ORK) will host the Canoochee Paddle Race on Saturday, April 22, 2023 in Evans County, Georgia. The racers will begin at 9 a.m., with fun paddlers to follow.

Race registration is now closed.

View detailed information email sent to participants

The race will take place along approximately seven miles of the Canoochee River, from Brewton Bridge to Rocks River Bridge Landing.

Rocks River Bridge Landing will also serve as the headquarters for the winners circle, awards presentation, food vendors, and entertainment. Everyone is welcome to come cheer for the racers and enjoy a day out by the river.

Paddlers of kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and canoes are welcome to compete. Non-racing paddlers are also welcome to follow the route after racers have started.

Entrants will receive a vessel identifier, map and official race t-shirt. Registrants will receive packet pick-up information via email.

ORK does not provide vessels or equipment. Personal flotation devices are required for each participant. Entry is limited and pre-registration is required.

Entry is $50 per vessel, with a discount for students.

There is no cost to come to come cheer for the paddlers and enjoy a day out by the river.

Start Line:
Brewton Bridge Landing on HWY 169: 32.202245, -81.953692

Finish Line:
Rocks River Landing on HWY 301: 32.184196, -81.889276

FAQs:

– Do I have to pay if I’m a “fun” paddler and not racing?

Yes. The fee pays for one official race shirt, safety personnel, and other costs associated with putting on the event. A limited number of additional shirts will be available for purchase at the event as well. Full-price registrations also include one-year of a household membership with ORK!

– How will I get back to my car after the race?

If you don’t have a friend to move your car to the finish line, there will be shuttles for the paddlers.

– What do the winners get?

In addition to the fastest singles, tandems, and canoes, there will be awards for best dressed paddler, most creative boat, best paddling duo, and the last place finisher.

Thanks to:

Evans County Commissioners
Evans County Sheriff’s Office
Evans County Board of Education
Student Volunteers of Trinity Christian School
Student Volunteers of Georgia Southern University
Food Fresh
Publix
Office Depot
Three Tree Coffee Roasters
Braydon Williams & Anna Bucklar
Ethan Cave & School of Rock
Claxton Poultry
Southern Adventures

Raffle item donors

You can win a giant prize package including a kayak fishing kit from Bass Pro Shops, a membership to Botanic Garden at Georgia Southern University, goodies from Claxton Fruit Cake, a cooler from Creek and Coast Outfitters, a pass from Kindred Yoga, swag from Knockaround Sunglasses, a membership from Ogeechee Audubon, a performance shirt from RJ Pope Mens and Ladies Apparel, water bottles from Southern Adventures of CRI, and whole bean coffee from Three Tree Coffee Roasters!

canoochee, fort stewart, paddle trip

Members Only: Canoochee Paddle

by Ogeechee Riverkeeper February 2, 2022

This is a lower watershed paddle between Landings 2-26 on the Canoochee River through Fort Stewart, home of the 3rdID. This intermediate level paddle is not advisable for novice paddlers or those with physical conditions which may limit their ability to negotiate potential hazards such as fallen trees, swift water, portages, etc. This is an approximately 4-hour paddle with a lunch break around the halfway mark.

This paddle is free to ORK members but attendees should bring their own lunch and water. Pre-registration is required. Paddlers who arrive without pre-registering will not be able to join the event.

Participants *must* provide their own gear and vessels. Vehicles will be shuttled to the take-out spot at Landing 26.

This paddle will be led by the Fish and Wildlife Branch on Fort Stewart.

Not a member? Become one now to join this and other members-only events!

Landing 2 –
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This what3words address refers to a 3 metre square location. Tap the link or enter the 3 words into the free what3words app to find it.

Blog Post, Creature Feature bird, canoochee, creature feature, fauna, georgia, ogeechee, ornithology, painted bunting

Fauna: Passerina ciris

by Ogeechee Riverkeeper April 1, 2020

PAINTED BUNTING
Passerina ciris

The brightly colored bird is a member of the cardinal family and lives in the southeast and south-central United States, including coastal Georgia. Females and immature males are a parrot green color. At about two years old, the male’s feathers turn multiple tones of red, indigo, yellow, and more.

Color engraving by R. Havell, after drawing by John J. Audubon – Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington

They breed in maritime hammocks, scrubland, briar patches, woodland edges and swampy thickets. The females typically lay 3-4 eggs, twice a year. The fledglings take just a couple of weeks to leave the nest after hatching. The population is estimated at about 4.5 million, but that number is decreasing.

The painted bunting was originally described by Carl Linnaeus in his eighteenth-century work Systema Naturae. The Swedish naturalist did a taxonomy of plants in 1753 and followed up with animals in 1758 and 1759.

Painted buntings are territorial and can be seen throughout the Ogeechee River watershed and nearby areas like Harris Neck Wildlife Refuge.