Three-State Paddle Adventure Begins
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Hundreds of paddlers are dipping their oars into history this week as Paddle Georgia marks its twentieth anniversary with a journey unlike any other.
The annual week-long event, considered the largest of its kind in the country, begins on the South Chickamauga Creek in Ringgold, Georgia.
But without some extra local help, none of this would be made possible.
News 12 spoke to Jim Ledbetter, a volunteer at the event, about how the event is put on. Here is what he told us.
“The Tennessee Valley canoe club, which is stationed in Chattanooga is partnering with paddle Georgia and helping for safety boaters and also to get the number of canoes and kayaks safely over some of the obstacles on the South Chickamauga Creek this is the first time we’ve had this large of a group being over 340 paddlers at last count”.
From Ringgold, the journey continues through Georgia, Chattanooga, and the Tennessee River Gorge before ending in Northeast Alabama.
More than three hundred paddlers are covering over eighty miles of water.
The goal is to celebrate the beauty of the Tennessee River Basin while raising awareness and funds to protect the region’s waterways. We spoke to a paddler about why he chose Paddle Georgia.
This year’s route highlights the South Chickamauga Creek Water Trail and the Tennessee RiverLine.
Both initiatives focus on expanding public river access and promoting environmental stewardship.
Along the way, participants camp at scenic sites, take part in river cleanups, and explore natural landmarks. Organizers say it is like summer camp for adults and families.
The trip ends Saturday in Stevenson, Alabama. For details or to follow along with the journey, head to garivers.org
