River Progression with Kathy Adamo

May 3 + May 10 + May 18, 2025
Sign up for 1 day, 2 days, or join the whole progression!!

• A 3-day skills progression seminar learning flatwater + river kayaking skills with a focus on boat control and moving water skills. 
• Sign up for an individual day of training or for multiple days
• Cost: $90 per day or $220 for all 3 days of instruction
• *Limited equipment rentals available during registration
• Times and Locations:
  • Saturday, May 3:  9 am to 4 pm
    Chattahoochee River at Azalea Park, 203 Azalea Dr, Roswell, GA 30075
  • Saturday, May 10: 9 am to 2 pm
    Chattahoochee River at Don White Memorial Park, 925B Riverside Rd, Roswell, GA 30075
  • Sunday, May 18: 10 am to 1 pm
    Chattahoochee River at Powers Island, Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
    5450 Interstate N Pkwy, Sandy Springs, GA

THE CLASS

This is a series of classes designed for kayaking beginners who would like to grow their skills in preparation for the May 24th Georgia Rivers paddle trip on the Chattahoochee River. This class will offer a skills progression to introduce you to the skills, hazards and fun to be had river kayaking! This is a rare opportunity to work with ACA certified kayaking instructors starting with the shallow waters of the Chattahoochee River in Roswell Georgia working your way up to the more challenging Metro Hooch section of the Chattahoochee River in Sandy Springs.

Saturday, May 3, 2025, at 9:00 am to 4pm

We will start the series with the basics of safety, technique, and equipment on May 3rd. Our meeting place at Azalea Park in Roswell has a nice sandy bottom to stand in the water. This will give you a chance to get in a boat with a lower chance of falling over while doing so.

One of the hardest things to figure out when starting a new sport is equipment. What are the differences between the types of boats, what size is right for you, and how much to pay for new and used equipment. We will be going over all these points with a little help from Festive Water Paddlesports. They’ll have boats for you to paddle around and try out for yourself. You might be interested in a short white-water kayak because it’s lite and you can pick it up easily, but you might like a longer one that goes in more of a straight line for longer distances. This is a great chance to feel the difference between various crafts and sizes.

This is the longest of the three-day series. There is a lot to go over for beginners. This will be an out and back type paddle focusing on paddling technique as well as how to be proactive and safe on the water.

Saturday, May 10, 2025 at 10:00 am to 2pm

Now that you have the basics let’s put them to good use. We’ll learn the moving water techniques as we paddle from Garrard Landing in Johns Creek, past a few small rapids at Island Ford, all the way to Don White Memorial Park in Roswell. This is a 4-hour tour, 6.9 miles, so bring your lunch, and we’ll have a picnic on the river. Don’t let the mileage worry you, the current will give you a nice little push the whole way but it’s mostly flat water.

Sunday, May 18, 2025 at 10:00 am to 1pm
*Note: bring $5 for parking.

This last section of the Chattahoochee River is the part that has class I-II rapids. This is what we’ve been training for! Don’t worry, we’ll go slow and stop quite often. Show me your eddy skills. Ferry across and carve the river like a pro. All while enjoying the most scenic part of the river. We will launch our boats at Powers Island and get out at Paces Ferry. It’s only 2.8 miles but it’s the best part. Bring a snack.

Now you’re ready to join the Georgia Rivers group on Saturday May 24, with confidence about your boat control and river paddling skills!

ABOUT YOUR GUEST INSTRUCTOR: Kathy Adamo

Kathy Adamo is an ACA Level 2 River Kayaking instructor who works at the Nantahala Outdoor Center on the Chattahoochee River. She specializes in helping new boaters learn to tackle the Metro Hooch section of the Chattahoochee River at Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. She is a graduate of the Georgia Rivers Beaver Crew program and will be supported by a crew of other ACA certified River Kayaking instructors and Beaver Crew graduates. Our amazing team of nationally certified ACA certified instructors teach Georgia Rivers classes as volunteers to share their love of paddling with other Georgia paddlers. Because of our volunteer instructors, in 2023 and 2024 Georgia Rivers was recognized by the American Canoe Association as being among the paddling organizations that trained the most beginners in the nation.

SUPPORTING GEORGIA RIVERS

Your class fees support Georgia Rivers advocacy work for the Right to Float Georgia Rivers, to Save the Okenfenokee, and other intitiatives in support of the Georgia Water Coalition, the Georgia Outdoor Recreation Coalition, Georgia Water Trails and the Georgia River Guide free mobile app, and the Okefenokee Protection Alliance.

Georgia Rivers is a 501(c)3 organization founded in 1998 to serve as the voice of Georgia’s rivers. GRN works to empower everyone to connect with, and advocate for economically vital and clean flowing rivers in Georgia. 

WHAT TO BRING AND HOW TO PREPARE

• Every participant will need a kayak designed for river maneuvers (less than 12′ and with flotation; not a sea kayak) with paddle and PFD. Equipment will be available for rental during this registration.
• Bring lots of water to stay hydrated and feel free to bring snacks that fit in your life jacket.
• On May 3 and May 10, please bring lunch. On May 18, please bring a snack.
• On May 18, please bring $5 for parking.
• Every participant will be required to wear a US Coast Guard approved Type III life jacket anytime we are within 10 feet of the water or are out on the water. There will be no exceptions.
• DO NOT WEAR COTTON. Poly pro materials that are quick wicking are far more preferable. You will also need shoes that cover your toes, attach at the ankles and give you good traction on rocky river beds. In a pinch, old tennis shoes work well.
• You should also bring sunscreen, bug spray and a strap for your glasses.
• Other gear that will come in handy if you have it handy: whistle for your life jacket, floatation bags/beach balls (for sit inside kayaks), bilge pump, river rescue throw rope, rain jacket (just in case), dry box or dry bag for your valuables