Registration is under way for Ogeechee Riverkeeper’s Sept. 24 paddle trip to Coleman Lake. This trip will take paddlers on a seven-mile journey through the upper Ogeechee’s narrow twists and turns from Wadley (Highway 78) to Coleman Lake. This trip is suitable for beginners and experienced paddlers. The day begins at 9 a.m. and will treat participants to beautiful scenery along Coastal Georgia’s most prized waterway.

Anyone interested in joining the trip must register at www.ogeecheeriverkeeper.org by 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23 as no registrations or rentals will be accepted after the deadline. Participants will meet at 9 a.m. at the put-in point to unload boats and sign waivers. Paddlers should bring their own food, refreshments and a dry bag for personal items, keys and cell phones. Outdoor attire is recommended, including a hat, tennis shoes or water shoes, and plenty of sunscreen.

ORK supporters who have an annual membership are especially encouraged to register and take part in monthly paddle trips, which are free to those who’ve already paid their membership fees. Non-members can also experience an exhilarating morning on the river by paying $35, which includes an annual membership. Additionally, there is a small fee for rental boats if paddlers do not have one.

To make trips like this possible, Ogeechee Riverkeeper recently launched a new fundraising campaign, “Power the Paddle.” The nonprofit’s goal is to raise $6,500, which will allow Ogeechee Riverkeeper to buy additional kayaks and a new canoe trailer so they can accommodate larger groups on the water.

Donors may contribute to this initiative online, and have the opportunity to create their own fundraising pages, set goals, and share their pages with friends and family via social media.  For instructions on how to set up your own fundraising page to compete for prizes, please visit http://ogeecheeriverkeeper.org/become-a-fundraiser/.

In addition to supplying a donation, the top three donors/fundraisers (plus one guest each), will get to take the new kayaks on their first voyage on an exclusive and private paddle trip. The highest donor/fundraiser will win a handcrafted Greenland-style paddle donated by master woodworker and Ogeechee Riverkeeper board member Tim Goodson.

The Coleman Lake trip will feature an educational guide who will offer insights and interesting facts about marine life, geography and scenery as paddlers take it all in. Ogeechee Riverkeeper Watershed Outreach Coordinator Jesse Demonbreun-Chapman said he expects a good turnout for this excursion as the summer heat subsides and the weather becomes pleasant.

“We just have two paddle trips left this season, and with temperatures cooling down, this is the ideal time to come out and enjoy a few peaceful hours on the river,” Demonbreun-Chapman said.