Registration now open for Waterfest X

ROME — Registration to compete for more than $5,000 in prizes as part of the Coosa River Basin Initiative’s (CRBI) WATERFEST X is now open. Prizes include plane tickets, vacation getaways, canoes, kayaks and cash.

WATERFEST X, CRBI’s paddlesports and environmental education extravaganza set for April 16-17 at Ridge Ferry Park in Rome, is a free event that includes an Environmental Fair featuring live animal shows, the world’s largest portable aquarium stocked with Oostanaula River fish, exhibits, children’s activities, great food and a regional Environmental Quiz Bowl competition for area schools.

Also part of the weekend’s activities are a 13-mile canoe/kayak race on the Oostanaula River, canoe and kayak tug-o-wars in a mammoth portable pool to be erected at Ridge Ferry Park and CRBI’s Canoe-a-thon fundraising competition.

Registration to participate in the race and tug-o-wars is now open at www.coosa.org or you can request registrations forms by calling (706) 232-2724. Registration fees range from $10 to $80.

The Canoe-a-thon competition is open to both paddlers in the race and tug-o-wars as well as non-paddlers. Registration is ongoing.

In this competition, CRBI supporters vie to generate the most donations for CRBI advocacy, education, water monitoring and restoration programs; those raising the most money win prizes including two Air Tran Airlines tickets to any of the airline’s U.S. destinations ($1,000 value); a week-long mountain getaway at the Villas at Coosawattee ($1,000 value); an Old Town Canoe ($650 value), a recreational kayak ($400 value), plus additional vacation packages, outdoor clothing and more.

Canoe-a-thon participants can set up online fundraising pages at www.firstgiving.com/coosa. Donation forms can also be downloaded from the CRBI Web site at www.coosa.org or can be requested via mail by calling (706) 232-2724.

“This is an opportunity for your friends and family to purchase your summer vacation,” said Joe Cook, CRBI executive director. “It’s a win-win. While you’re securing your vacation you’ll be raising money to protect our drinking water and North America’s most biologically diverse river basin.”

Participants have until April 17 to raise the money and return it to CRBI. Winners will be announced during WATERFEST.

The Oostanaula River race runs from Highway 140 in Armuchee to Ridge Ferry Park. Trophies will be awarded to fastest finishers in numerous categories, but many of the “racers” enjoy a leisurely and lazy paddle down the Oostanaula. Registration fees are $40 for solo paddlers and $50 for tandem paddlers through April 10.

The tug-o-wars involve tying two boats end to end in the 60-foot long Johnson Outdoors Tug-O-War pool. Competitors then try to paddle their opponent across the two-foot-deep pool. The double-elimination tournaments continue until only one paddler/team is left standing.

“This is the most fun you’ll ever have in two feet of water,” Cook said.

Kayak Tug-O-Wars will be held Friday, April 16, from 5-8 p.m. at Ridge Ferry Park. Competition will be held in numerous divisions for children and adults, including parent/child tandem tugs. Winners will receive medals and gift certificates from Blue Sky Outfitter in Rome.

Canoe Tug-O-War teams will compete Saturday, April 17, for $450 in cash prizes. Teams consist of four people, at least one of which must be female. The team registration fee is $80. The top tug team will take home $200 and gift certificates to Provino’s and Santa Fe Cattle Co.. Second place wins $150 and third takes home $100.

Canoes and kayaks for the tug-o-wars are provided by Johnson Outdoors. A limited number of canoes and kayaks are available at no charge for participants in the 13-mile Oostanaula River race. All Race and Canoe Tug-O-War participants receive an event T-shirt and additional gifts from our sponsors.

Early bird registration ends April 10, after which a $10 late registration fee will be assessed.

Lead sponsors include Johnson Outdoors, Carlisle, Necky Kayaks, Ocean Kayak, Old Town Canoes & Kayaks, Extrasport, South 107, Q102, 93.5 Life FM, and WSB-TV and its Family 2 Family affiliates SCANA Energy, Kroger, Air Tran, Longhorn Steakhouse and Northside Hospital.

Other sponsors include Georgia Power, Mohawk, Temple-Inland, Marglen Industries, Blue Sky Outfitter, SoyMet 101, The Villas at Coosawattee, Harbin Clinic Vitality Center, MACTEC, SCANA Energy, Whittington Jones & Rudert, Burgess Insurance Services, ECO River Center, Profile Extrusion, U.S. Biofuels, Purple Mountain Natural Foods, Patagonia, Atlanta Allergy & Asthma Clinic, Dixie Homecrafters, Ole Tymer Bar B Que, AutoMax Car Rental, Planet, Papa Johns, Adam’s Outdoors, Kaliedo Sno, First National Bank of Polk County, Harbin Clinic, Cedar Valley Container Corp. Greater Rome Bank, Touchstone Ecosystems, Travel Leaders and Lieberman Chiropractic.

CRBI is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and member of the international Waterkeeper Alliance with the mission of informing and empowering citizens to protect, preserve and restore North America’s most biologically diverse river basin.

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