The Etowah River User's Guide, a joint book project of Georgia River Network and CRBI, will be released May 1 by the University of Georgia Press. This 184-page on-river guide with waterproof pages features more than 150 color photos and a wealth of information about the Etowah. 
Some 60 acres of Oostanaula River floodplain and wetlands that could become Rome's Central Park are slated for conversion into a regional shopping center.
HELP WANTED! CRBI seeks an Executive Director with an established
track record of success in managing staff, fundraising and environmental
advocacy.Applications are now being accepted. WATERFEST XIII Set For May 3-4
CRBI's Paddlesports & Environmental Education Extravaganza
CRBI's 13th annual paddlesports and environmental education extravaganza is set for May 3-4, 2013 at Rome's Ridge Ferry Park on the Oostanaula River. Join us for paddle-powered fun including our 13-Mile Canoe and Kayak Race on the Oostanaula, Canoe & Kayak Tug-O-Wars in our mammoth Big Cedar Creek pool and our Environmental Fair with exhibits, Environmental Scavenger Hunt for kids, live animal demonstrations from Southeastern Reptile Rescue, great food and the Environmental Quiz Bowl competition for area elementary schools.
YOU CAN PARTICIPATE BY...
Registering to participate in our 13-Mile Oostanaula River Race
Registering your team in the Canoe Tug-O-Wars
Competing for prizes (and glory) in the WATERFEST Canoe-a-thon Fundraising event.
Scroll down to learn about each of these events.
Click here to view photos from last year's WATERFEST on CRBI's Facebook Page
PARTICIPATION INFORMATION FOR REGISTERED RACERS AND TUG-O-WAR PARTICIPANTS
Schedule of Events
Friday May 3
5-8 p.m.: Kayak Tug-O-Wars (Children's Divisions Begin at 5 p.m. followed by adult divisions)
Saturday May 4
8-9:30 a.m.: Race Boat Drop off At Hwy 140 in Armuchee
7-10 a.m.: Race Registration at Ridge Ferry Park
8:30-10 a.m.: Recreational Class Race Launch in Armuchee
10 a.m.: Environmental Fair Opens
10:30 a.m.: Open Class Race Launch in Armuchee
Noon: Reptile Show by Southeastern Reptile Rescue
1:00 p.m.: Spring Into Peace Ceremony
1:30 p.m.: Canoe Tug-O-Wars Begin
2:00 p.m.: Race Awards
3:00 p.m.: Canoe-a-thon Awards & Canoe Raffle Winner Announced
13-Mile Oostanuala River Race
We call it a race, but if you'd like to kick back and drift as you enjoy the beautiful Oostanaula, we encourage you to do so!
For those that want to grab the glory, prizes will be awarded for top finishers in multiple categories. Last year our fastest paddler, Richard Stewart of Decatur, completed the 13 miles in a blistering time of 1 hour 26 minutes.
This course is a flatwater run from Armuchee to Rome. Along the way you'll paddle between ancient islands, over a Native American fish weir and through bucolic northern Floyd County. Don't be surprised if you discover a mussel or two along the way!
Registration fees are $40 for solo boats and $50 for tandem boats through Apr. 29. Fees increase by $10 after Apr. 29. Complimentary canoes and kayaks are available while they last. Don't hesitate, reserve your boats now! Your registration fee includes shuttles to launch site, t-shirt and SWAG bag.
Canoe Tug-O-Wars
The most fun you'll ever have in two feet of water! In 2012, 18 teams fought it out for our top cash prize. This year's event is expected to be even bigger!
How does it work? Simple. We tie two canoes together, stern-to-stern, put three paddlers in each canoe and let 'er rip. The first team to paddle to their end of the pool wins! WATCH THE VIDEO.
Registration fees are $80 for a four-person team through Apr. 29 (the 4th paddler is your subsitute...trust us, after a couple of tugs you'll need a sub!) Fees increase by $20 after Apr. 29. Fees include event t-shirts and SWAG bags for all teammates. Winners receive a $200 cash prize, gift certificates to Longhorn's Steakhouse in Rome, a big gaudy trophy and braggin' rights. Runners up receive gift certificates from Provino's Italian Restaurant.
NEW THIS YEAR! Canoe Tug-O-Wars for Scouts. We're out to find which local Boy Scout Troop has the most paddling brawn. Register your team today and challenge another Troop to participate. Registration fees are $40 for four-person teams. Prizes will be awarded to the winners and runners up.REGISTER TO PARTICIPATE IN THE CANOE TUG-O-WARS ONLINE NOW!
Click here to view kayak and canoe tug-o-war photographs
Prizes up for Grabs in Canoe-a-thon Competition
More than $3000 in prizes will be awarded to the top fundraisers in our Canoe-a-thon competition so get out those contact lists and start generating some funds to protect your river!
Here's how it works: Solicit donations to protect the Coosa by downloading a Canoe-a-thon sheet OR set up your own online fundraising page and solicit your friends, family and business associates via e-mail, facebook and other social media. It's simple and easy and they can make their donations online with a few mouse clicks.
WHAT'S UP FOR GRABS?
An Old Town Saranac 146 Canoe valued at $580 courtesy of Johnson Outdoors
A $300 gift certificate toward a new canoe or kayak or other merchandise courtesy of Cedar Creek Park in Cave Spring
A Perception Sport Kayak from Cedar Creek Park in Cave Spring valued at $400.
A 5-Night Stay at Villas at Coosawattee in Ellijay valued at $1050 (3 Bedroom)
A 5-Night Stay at Villas at Coosawattee in Ellijay valued at $900 (2 Bedroom)
Patagonia Women's Torrentshell Rain Jacket valued at $199
Patagonia Men's Synchilla Jacket valued at $99
Patagonia Men's Better Sweater Vest valued at $99
Patagonia Refugio Pack 28L valued at $85
A framed photograph of a Georgia river valed at $200 courtesy of Joe Cook
Download a Canoe-a-thon Pledge Sheet
Snake Show & Reptile Wagon Highlights Environmental Fair
The WATERFEST Environmental Fair will feature a live reptile show with Jason Clark of Southeastern Reptile Rescue. During this presentation, you'll have the opportunity to get up-close-and-in-person with some of Georgia's coolest snakes--and even some unbelievable exotic snakes. Don't be surprised to see an alligator too! This year, Southeastern Reptile Rescue will bring their "Reptile Wagon," a 45-foot traveling zoo featuring snake, turtle and alligator exhibits.
The Fair will also feature children's activities, construction of the "World's Largest Soda Bottle Raft," an Environmental Scavenger Hunt for Kids (and adults), great food from Ole Tymer BBQ, Papa Johns Pizza, Kaliedo Sno and CRBI and more!
Admission to the Fair is FREE!
Environmental Quiz Bowl Competition
Are you smarter than a 4th grader? Find out at the Environmental Quiz Bowl competition at WATERFEST. Teams from area elementary schools will be going head-to-head to see which school has the most woods and water wits.
This is a great way to learn more about our rivers and North America's most biologically diverse river basin. Get your school involved today by contacting Amos Tuck at 706-232-2724.
Educational materials and study guides are now available. Winners receive gift certificates to Rome Movies, Tellus Museum passes and a framed photograph and plaque to display in their school. Papa John's Pizza, sponsors of the Quiz Bowl, will provide pizza lunch for all participants, and Panera Bread will provide dessert cookies!
