If you live in Georgia and are looking for a place to paddle, kayak or canoe, you are among some of the luckiest paddlers in the country – we’ve found some great paddling locations in Georgia!

• Many of Georgia State Parks allow kayaking and canoeing on their lakes and rivers. There may be a fee or permit required. Some parks offer kayak and canoe rentals.

• You can also join the Georgia State Park Paddler’s Club. Join the club and kayak or canoe the 22 mile paddling trails at six of the states parks. The water trails at each state park vary in miles but total 22 miles in all. According to their website, these paddles are for both seasoned paddlers and beginners. They vary in difficulty, so paddlers have a chance to improve their skill level as they paddle from park to park.

The paddling trails range from tidal rivers to the Okefenokee Swamp. Members can earn a bragging-rights t-shirt. The Six State parks are Crooked River, George L. Smith, Magnolia Springs, Reed Bingham, Stephen C Foster and Sweetwater Creek. Please note that some of the parks may be affected by low water.

They advise that you call ahead to make sure the water trail is open. Check out their website for all the information you need to join the club and have a fun and safe paddle.

• The Chattahoochee River is also a great place to paddle. 48 Miles of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation area is available to kayak canoe or raft, year round. If you want to paddle but left your kayak or canoe home, there are outfitters in the area for day use rentals.

• You can also paddle at the Cumberland Island National Seashore. Cumberland Island is Georgia’s largest and southern most barrier island. According to their website, kayaking is a great way to enjoy the marsh area.

Click here for more information and to check out the web sites to these places to paddle in Georgia.

Click here to find places to paddle around the U.S.

If you have a favorite place to paddle, please click here to send it to us using our contact page. We’ll post it on our places to paddle page.

This annual event takes place on the last weekend in April – the 25 & 26th this year in Shortsville, NY. Re-organized in 2006, the event is a family-friendly day on the water that includes kayak, canoe and homemade raft races, with awards in each category.

Proceeds from the event go to benefit local organziations such as the Lions Club, Rotary International, 4H, Youth Sports, YMCA, Church Organizations and the Shortsville/Manchester, NY Chamber of Commerce community efforts.

This year an additional benefit has been added – For 2009, any previous participants who have lost their job, or who have spouses who have lost their job, may deduct $15 from their registration fee and the registration fee for any dependent children. Proof of unemployment and dependency is required with each registration form (more details can be found a the event web site – click here).

A whole weekend of fun is in store for participants and spectators and starts with a waffle breakfast on Saturday morning. The events then continue with a kayak slalom, canoe and raft race. The race organizers would like to remind everyone to:

Keep in mind the Derby has changed to become more family oriented, there are no alcoholic beverages allowed at the Derby. In order to keep the event a family event and the safest event possible we ask that everyone comply with this request.

Also, in the interest of safety and to ensure everyone has an enjoyable day, please keep dogs at home.

“Water Safety & Awareness” is also part of the event, co-hosted by “Safe Kids Finger Lakes”. This award winning event includes hands on displays, activities and games plus US Coast Guard boats, “Seamor” a US Army Corps of Engineers robot, “Rescue Rodney” the drowning dummy, Specialty Dive Teams, bounce house, and more.

For a Wild Water Derby event schedule, registration information and photos of past year’s events, please click here to visit the Wild Water Derby web site.

Please let us know about your favorite kayak, canoe and paddle event. Leave a comment on this post with information, or send us a note using our handy contact form.