FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
03/05/2024
Contact: Meaghan Walsh Gerard
Communications and Administrative Director
meaghan@ogeecheeriverkeeper.org
CANOOCHEE PADDLE RACE: A CELEBRATION OF COMMUNITY AND CONSERVATION
ORK to host an annual party on the water to celebrate the outdoors
Ogeechee Riverkeeper (ORK) will host an action-packed event aimed at celebrating the beauty of the environment and promoting conservation efforts in the region. Paddlers will traverse seven miles of the Canoochee, from Brewton Bridge to Rocks River Bridge landing. The finish line at Rocks River will also serve as the headquarters for fun during and after the race.
“We encourage friends and family to come cheer for the racers and enjoy a day out by the river,” says Meaghan Walsh Gerard, communications director for ORK. “This year we are delighted to have Chris Stalcup performing. With a tune named ‘Ogeechee River,’ we knew he’d be a great fit.” Stalcup is a Georgia-based country singer and songwriter. His music has been described as “a bonfire raging behind some small-town dirt-road shanty, of a band valiantly laying bare its soul while everyone dances wildly.”
After all the paddlers have arrived at the finish line, ORK will hold an awards presentation. Trophies will be presented for timed winners as well as outlandish categories like Dynamic Duo, Funkiest Costume, Most Creative Boat, and the Lazy River Award for the slowest paddler. Food and drink will be available from food trucks including Rolly’s Taqueria and Road-Tisserie, and Norburg Chiropractic will be offering free massages. ORK will have an information table to answer questions about the work of the nonprofit. Raffle tickets and official merchandise will also be available.
By raising awareness and supporting conservation initiatives, the Canoochee Paddle Race aims to protect and preserve this natural treasure for generations to come. “We believe that events like the Canoochee Paddle Race play a crucial role in fostering appreciation for our environment and inspiring stewardship,” says Damon Mullis, riverkeeper and executive director. “Through this event, we hope to empower individuals to take action and make a positive impact on the health of our rivers and waterways.”
Where: Canoochee River, Evans County
Rocks River Bridge Landing: GPS 32.184196, -81.889276
When: Saturday, April 13, noon. – 5 p.m.
Cost: $50 per person; Free to cheer for the paddlers
Details and registration: https://www.ogeecheeriverkeeper.org/events/canoochee-paddle-race-24/
The deadline to register is Wednesday, April 10, 2024, at noon.
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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