WATERFEST IX 2009 Highlights

Nearly 200 people paddled in CRBI's WATERFEST IX boating events, and nearly 1,000 attended the Environmental Fair at Ridge Ferry Park. These supporters helped generate more than $20,000 to protect the Coosa and its tributaries. WATERFEST X is already set for April 16-17, 2010. Scroll down for results from the weekend's competition.

Race Results

In the 13-mile race down the Oostanaula River, Javier Comelli clocked the fastest overall solo time, finishing in 1 hour 29 minutes in the K-1 Sprint Division. CJ Haynes and Richard Demby, paddling K-2 Co-ed, had the fastest tandem time with a 1 hour 24 minute finish. Others finishing under the two hour mark were Robert Osborn (Solo Kayak Masters-1:34), David Goodman (K-1 Sprint Men--1:33) and Bill Beavers (K-1 Sprint Masters 1:38).  For complete race results, click here!

Canoe-a-thon Results

Some two dozen supporters participated in our Canoe-a-thon competition, battling one another to see who could raise the most money for CRBI programs. With assistance from our firstgiving.com website: http://www.firstgiving.com/coosa  participants raised a record total of more than $6,000. Thanks to all who participated in this effort! All those generating more $150 or more received a CRBI T-shirt, Musselhead Ballcap, and photograph of the Oostanaula River. The top fundraisers walked off with great prizes iincluding:

Winners were:

Kelli Gibbs with $920 raised!

Linda Sarver with $905 raised!

Sheila Cox with $685 raised!

Sunny Marceau with $641 raised!

Dedee Sanderson with $585 raised!

Carol McNavish with $535 raised!

Environmental Quiz Bowl Results

Seven teams from five area schools went brain to brain in CRBI's annual Environmental Quiz Bowl Competition. Teams from Cave Spring, East Central, Berry, Trion and St. Marys elementary schools had a great time learning everything you ever wanted to know about the Coosa River Basin.

East Central, coached by Gary Jones, repeated as champions, narrowly defeating runner up, Cave Spring in the championship match. Members of the winning East Central team include Shivani Patel, Abigail Childers, Gigi Gonsalves and Christian Hayes.

Cave Spring team members included Brycen Kellett, Alyssa King, Tori Strickland and Hannah McCain. Cave Spring was coached by Heather Willis.

Thanks to Village Theaters in Rome, Tellus Museum in Cartersville and Lavender Mountain Hardware in Rome for providing prizes for the champions and runners up.

And thanks to all the students and teachers for dedicating so much time to learning about our water resources!

Tug-O-War Results

In the Canoe Tug-O-War Contest, the MACTEC team of David Price, Dan Lovingood, Tanya Kinnard and Jeff Moore took home the hardware, defeating the defending champions from Rome High School in the finals. The Rome team consisted of Zach Jones, Jon Knowles, Taylor Cassel and Amanda Abernathy.

Thanks to our event sponsors who assisted with gift certificate prizes for our winners: Blue Sky Outfitter, Harvest Moon Cafe, Sante Fe Cattle Co., Longhorn's Steakhouse and Provinos.

Archive Media Coverage

View a Rome News-Tribune video report of WATERFEST VIII April 25-26, 2009.

View CRBI's Video of WATEREFEST VIII