Your registration comes with a year’s membership in CRBI. You should expect information about further opportunities to become involved in CRBI activities throughout the year. Should you have any questions, please contact Joe Cook at 706-232-2724 or jcook@coosa.org

 Please carefully review the information included in this packet about the event or events you have entered.

RACE SCHEDULE/INFORMATION

Schedule for Saturday April 26:

7:00-8:30         Boat drop off at Ga. 140 Launch Site

7:00-9:30         Registration in Ridge Ferry Park

8:00-9:30         Shuttles to Ga.140 Launch Site

8:30-10:00       Safety Briefings at Hwy 140 (ongoing as vans unload

10:00               Race Begins

2:30                 Race Awards Presentation at Ridge Ferry Park

4:00                 Canoe-a-thon Awards Presentation at Ridge Ferry Park

 ***Plus, tell your family and friends to come to Ridge Ferry Park for the Environmental Fair from 10-5 and then join us for the Southern Thunder, Peachtree Station and Kneckdown concert beginning a 5 p.m. (tickets: $10)

Boat Drop Off: In order to complete registration, shuttles and safety briefings by 10 a.m., participants must drop their boats at the Ga. 140 launch site in Armuchee no later than 8:30 a.m.  A CRBI volunteer will be there to keep your vessels safe while you take your vehicle to the finish line at Ridge Ferry Park in Rome. Please help us run the event smoothly by arriving on time. If you are late, you will have to arrange your own shuttle.

Participants with Boats reserved through CRBI: If you are using a boat provided by CRBI, you need only come to Ridge Ferry Park to register. Your boat will already be at the Ga. 140 launch site.

Registration: After dropping your boat in Armuchee you must proceed to Ridge Ferry Park to register, turn in your Canoe-a-thon pledges, and receive event packet and T-shirts. Race numbers will be assigned at the registration table. Registration begins at 7:00 a.m. at Ridge Ferry Park.

Canoe-a-thon Pledge Forms: To be eligible for prizes, Canoe-a-thon participants must turn in their collected pledges upon registration on April 26. Canoe-a-thon pledges are essential to making this event a financial success. Please help CRBI by soliciting donations from family, friends, neighbors and co-workers.

● Participants raising more than $150 may have their registration fees reimbursed!

● Prizes include an Old Town Canoe valued at $600, a recreational kayak from Terrapin Outdoor Center valued at $390, a two-night North Carolina getaway at Snowbird Mountain Lodge valued at $475, clothing from Patagonia valued at $255 and much more!

Click here to download Canoe-a-thon Pledge Forms.

You may also solicit donations online, referring donors to https://netcorps.wufoo.com/forms/waterfest-viii-canoeathon-contributions/

Please begin soliciting donations for CRBI immediately. You could walk home with a new canoe!

River Maps: Maps of the race course will be distributed during registration at Ridge Ferry Park.

Waiver Forms and Safety Briefing: All Race participants must sign a waiver form at the registration booth and must attend a safety briefing at the launch site prior to paddling.

Safety Guidelines

1. No alcoholic beverages or mind-altering drugs will be allowed on the river. 2. Participants must wear a properly fitted U.S. Coast Guard approved personal floatation device at all times on the river.                                           3. Participants under age 18 are the responsibility of, and must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.                                                              4. All participants must sign a Waiver of Claims and Release of Liability form. Parents must sign for children under the age of 18.                                         5. Person-powered watercraft only.                                                                  6. All participants must respect private property along the river.

Buddy System: Each canoe should identify a “buddy boat” or group of “buddy boats.” Buddy boats and groups will be responsible for ensuring that everyone in the group makes it to the finish line in Ridge Ferry Park. Buddy boats will be assigned at the launch site.

What Should I Bring?

You can bring all that your vessel will hold, but CRBI recommends the following items: water or drinks • snacks/lunch food • sunscreen • small first aid kit • rain jacket/pants • a change of clothes sealed in a watertight container •  appropriate footwear to protect you from unseen underwater hazards and permit you to walk comfortably on land • a whistle to signal for help in case of emergency • camp trowel for burying human waste (or a bag for carrying it out) • fishing equipment (fishing is permitted but you must have proper fishing licenses)

Every canoe should have two lines, a bow line and a stern line 8-10 feet each in length secured in such a way that they are readily accessible, but cannot come loose accidentally. Loose rope increases the risk of entanglement in the event of capsize. Kayaks should have grab loops at both bow and stern.

Hazards:

Lightning/Severe Weather—In the event of inclement weather that includes the risk of lightning, paddle to shore, secure your boat and find cover under a dense stand of small trees. Avoid open areas, especially open areas with solitary trees, and avoid gathering in large groups. By dispersing yourselves over a large area, you reduce the risk of lightning striking numerous individuals at one time.

Strainers— Strainers are branches, trees or vegetation partially or totally submerged in the river’s current often found along the river’s edge. These hazards allow only water to pass through freely. The current will pull anything else down, plastering it into place, similar to the action of a kitchen colander. It is best to approach submerged trees or logs along the river bank from the downstream side to avoid having the current pin your boat against the obstacle or flipped by the force of the water. You should also avoid grabbing on to low hanging branches of partially submerged vegetation as this action can often cause your boat to capsize.

What do I do if I capsize? Stay with your boat and swim it to shore or shallow water where you can dump the water and right your vessel. It floats even when full with water and can support you if you become tired. Other boats should be around to assist in recovering any belongings that were not secured to your boat.

Sun—Protect yourself with sunscreen. Hats and appropriate clothing are recommended. If you get too hot, the river comes with built in air conditioning. Take a swim.

Wildlife—Though the Oostanaula is known for its man-eating beavers, you should not expect to encounter these creatures during daylight hours. Aside from these predators, you should not expect to encounter any dangerous animals. Venomous snakes such as rattlesnakes and copperheads might be seen on shore, but snake bites are rare. Though it is possible to encounter a poisonous water moccasin, they are not commonly found in this area. If you are bitten, remain calm and signal for help. 

Private Property--The Race route travels through a mostly rural landscape of private property. CRBI encourages you to use restroom facilities at Ridge Ferry Park and the Launch Site. If nature does call during the journey, please be discreet. Bury your waste using a camp trowel or carry a sealable bag to dispose of it at journey’s end.

Race Driving Directions:

Directions To Ga. 140 Launch Site at Armuchee:

From I-75 North or South—Take Exit 306/Ga. 140 Adairsville. Go west on Ga. 140 approximately 12 miles to Georgia Department of Natural Resources boat ramp/parking area on the Oostanaula River.

From Downtown Rome—Take U.S. 27/Martha Berry Blvd. north approximately 10 miles to Ga. 140, turn right and go approximately 3 miles to Georgia Department of Natural Resources boat ramp/parking area on the Oostanaula River (will be on your left right after you cross over the river).

Directions To Ridge Ferry Park from Ga. 140 Launch Site:

From parking area, turn right on Ga. 140, go west approximately 3 miles to U.S. 27. Turn left (south) on U.S. 27, go approximately 8 miles and turn left on Veterans Memorial Parkway (Rome Bypass). Go to first red light (Riverside Parkway), turn right, go 0.6 mile, cross railroad track and immediately turn right into entrance of Ridge Ferry Park.

Directions to Ridge Ferry Park from I-75 in Cartersville

KAYAK TUG-O-WAR

All Kayak Tug-O-War competitions will be held Friday evening, April 25, at Ridge Ferry Park in the Johnson Outdoors pool. See schedule for your competition time and be at the park at least 45 minutes prior to the start of your division.

Schedule for Friday April 25 (all tugs held at Ridge Ferry Park):

5:00                 Girls & Boys 10 & Under

5:45                 Girls & Boys 13 & Under

6:30                 Girls & Boys 16 & Under

7:15                 Parent & Child Division

8:00                 Men’s & Women’s Solo/Tandem

Registration: Please arrive at least 45 minutes ahead of the time your competition is to begin in order to register, receive event packet (including T-shirt) and receive competition instructions. The registration table will be open from 4-8 p.m.  

Competition Schedule: Each division will be a double-elimination style tournament. You will paddle at least twice during the competition. We will continue each division until one kayaker or two-person team is left standing. Be prepared…after a couple of tugs you WILL be worn down.

Boats: Boats will be provided by our lead sponsor, Johnson Outdoors and Old Town Canoe & Kayak. You cannot use your kayak in the competition.

Waiver Forms: All participants must sign a waiver form at the registration booth.

Prizes: Awards will be given to the top two finishers in each division. Cash awards and gift certificates from Blue Sky Outfitter in Rome will be given to winners in each division. Click here for a full listing of prizes.  

CANOE TUG-O-WAR

Another WATERFEST first!! The Canoe Tug-O-Wars will consist of two four-person, co-ed teams attempting to pull one another across the Johnson Outdoors Tug-O-War pool. Each team mus include at least one female. Competition will begin at 10 a.m. and continue until we crown a champion during final rounds at 4 p.m..

Schedule for Saturday April 26 (all tugs held at Ridge Ferry Park):

10 a.m.             Canoe Tug-O-Wars Begin

4 p.m.              Championship Round featuring the day’s top four teams

Competition Schedule: The Canoe Tug-O-War competition will be a double-elimination style tournament. You will paddle at least twice during the competition. Be prepared…after a couple of tugs you WILL be worn down. Your time at Ridge Ferry Park will depend upon how many tugs you win. Win and you keep paddling up until the championship round at 4 p.m. Lose two in a row and you exit early. 

Registration: In the week prior to WATERFEST you will receive an e-mail or phone call notifying you of your first scheduled tug.  Please arrive at least 45 minutes ahead of the time your competition is to begin in order to register, receive event packet (including T-shirt) and receive competition instructions.

Boats: Boats will be provided by our lead sponsor, Johnson Outdoors and Old Town Canoe & Kayak. You cannot use your canoe in the competition.

Waiver Forms: All participants must sign a waiver form at the registration booth.

Prizes: The top two teams will receive trophies, indivdual medals and gift certificates to local restarurants.

Driving Directions to Ridge Ferry Park

Directions to Ridge Ferry Park from I-75 in Cartersville:

Take the Rome/Canton Ga. 20 exit. Go west on Ga. 20 to deadend at stop light. Turn left, then immediately right, following Ga. 20/US 41. Follow Ga. 20/US 41 approximately 2 miles to the Rome exit, following Ga. 20/US 411. Take Ga. 20/US 411 approximately 23 miles to red light at the intersection of the Rome Bypass (Ga. 1). Turn right, follow Rome Bypass to Riverside Parkway (across from State Mutual Stadium/Rome Braves) turn left at the light. Follow Riverside Parkway approximately 0.5 mile, cross railroad tracks and turn immediately into Ridge Ferry Park.

If you have additional questions, please contact Joe Cook at 706-232-2724 or at jcook@coosa.org.

Environmental Fair

CRBI’s Environmental Fair will be held 10-5 Saturday April 26 at Ridge Ferry Park.

The Fair features:

Live snake shows from Jason Clark of Southeastern Reptile Rescue

Bass Pro Shops Big Cat Quest Weigh In

The world’s largest portable aquarium with displays of native fish and the largest fish caught during Saturday’s Big Cat Quest tournament

Exhibits from regional environmental organizations

Live animal exhibits

Climbing wall, fishing video games and children’s activities

An Environmental Scavenger Hunt for children

An Environmental Quiz Bowl Tournament

Food Vendors

Water taxi rides on the Roman Holiday excursion boat from Ridge Ferry Park to the Rome International Festival at downtown Rome’s Bridgepoint Plaza

And, beginning at 5 p.m. a concert by Southern Thunder, Peachtree Station and KneckDown