Published: January 08, 2010 02:14 pm      

Fourth annual Polar Bear Paddle set for Jan. 16 on Etowah River

The 4th Annual Polar Bear Paddle on the Etowah River will be held Saturday, Jan. 16.

The six-mile canoe and kayak paddle down the Etowah from Jim Dixon Landing at Grizzard Park to Heritage Park in downtown Rome is sponsored by the Coosa River Basin Initiative (CRBI) and the City of Rome. There is no charge to participate.

Paddlers will push off from the landing at 11 a.m. following a safety briefing and announcements. Complimentary canoes and kayaks provided by CRBI and the City of Rome are available for pre-registered participants. To reserve your boat, contact CRBI volunteer, Alan Crawford at (706) 291-7449 or at [email protected].

Shuttles from Heritage Park to Grizzard Park following the paddle will be provided by CRBI. Motorized safety boats will be provided by CRBI and Rome-Floyd County Emergency Management Services.

“We always have a big crowd for this event,” said CRBI Executive Director & Riverkeeper Joe Cook. “It’s a hardy bunch. We’ve even had some participants swim the six miles in wet suits. It’ll be cold but the river’s always beautiful.”

In past years, more than 100 paddlers have participated in the event. Paddlers will receive maps highlighting points of interest along the route. Hot chocolate and porta-toliets will be provided at the launch and take out sites.

CRBI is a 501c3 nonprofit organization and member of the international Waterkeeper Alliance. Its mission is to inform and empower citizens to preserve, protect and restore North America’s most biologically diverse river basin.