Georgia Governor’s Safe Boating Week Proclamation 

ATHENS, GA – May 14, 2025 – Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signed a proclamation for May 17-23, 2025 to be declared Safe Boating Week. The proclamation announces the value of Georgia rivers and lakes, and encourages Georgians to spread the message of boating safety.

The proclamation acknowledged that an average of 650 people perish every year in boating-related or paddlecraft-related accidents in the United States. Over 75% of these fatalities are caused by drowning, which is preventable in many cases by wearing a life jacket. 

The proclamation encouraged Georgians to “spread the message of boating safety, urging fellow boaters to participate in boating education classes (situational awareness and rules of the road), check the weather, file for a float plan, stay sober, wear life jackets, and follow State and Coast Guard regulations.”

Georgia Rivers was named in the proclamation as a top volunteer organization that strives to ensure the safety of the boating public! 

Georgia Rivers, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Allatoona Lake and other Georgia partners will offer low-cost kayaking instruction at seven locations across Georgia on Saturday, May 17 to kick off National Safe Boating Week.  The Kayaking 101 classes will teach paddle techniques, review safety and rescue maneuvers, and introduce trip planning tips. All class instructors are Georgia volunteers who are nationally certified to give paddling and rescue training and are supported by experienced safety teams.

Organizations participating in National Safe Boating Week Kayaking 101 include: US Coast Guard Auxiliary, Georgia Power Company, Trust for Public Lands, Forsyth County Parks and Recreation, NOC Chattahoochee Outpost, City of Chattahoochee Hills, Moon River Kayak Tours, Middle Georgia Kayaking, Miller Kayak Trips and Training, Georgia Canoeing Association, Whitewater Express, Festive Water Paddlesports, Wildwood Outfitters, Coosa River Basin Initiative, and the instructors of ACA Georgia.

The proclamation closed saying, “boating safety knowledge and skills are important in reducing human error, improving judgement and ultimately saving lives.”

Safe Boating Week is a smart way to start the summer season, and boat safety education establishes safety habits that will make paddlesports fun for a lifetime!

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About Georgia Rivers:

Georgia Rivers is a statewide 501c3 organization with the mission to protect and connect people with Georgia rivers. Georgia Rivers serves as Georgia DNR’s non-profit partner running the Georgia Water Trails Network,  maps rivers and provides  the free Georgia River Guide mobile app. Georgia Rivers connects people to Georgia rivers by hosting paddle trips across the state, including the signature week-long Paddle Georgia camping adventure hosted on a different Georgia river each year, and kayak training and safety classes. Georgia Rivers also serves as fiscal sponsor of the Okefenokee Protection Alliance, Georgia Outdoor Recreation Coalition and Georgia Water Coalition.

Visit garivers.org to learn more about paddle trips, water trails and ways you can protect Georgia rivers. 

Safe Boating Week Proclamation 2025

L to R:  Rhodes Lee (US Power Squadrons – America’s Boating Club Atlanta), Colonel Mike  England (GA Department of Natural Resources), Cindy Ringwall (US Power Squadrons – America’s Boating Club Atlanta), Corporal Zack Hardy (GA Department of Natural  Resources), Nan Ellen Fuller (US Coast Guard Auxiliary), Deputy Commissioner Thomas  Barnard (GA Department of Natural Resources), David Fuller (US Coast Guard Auxiliary),  Governor Brian P. Kemp, First Lady of Georgia Marty Kemp, Lieutenant Wanda Roberts (GA Department of Natural Resources), Rena Ann Peck (Georgia Rivers), Andrea White  (Georgia Rivers/ACA Southeast Regional Chair), Jack Williams (US Coast Guard  Auxiliary), Corporal Brock Hoyt (GA Department of Natural Resources), and Game  Warden Joe Ballard (GA Department of Natural Resources).

(Governor’s Official Photographer) 

Georgia Rivers and partners will offer low-cost Kayaking 101 instruction at multiple locations across Georgia on Saturday, May 17 in celebration of National Safe Boating Week.  Photo: A beginner kayaker received paddle instruction at a National Safe  Boating Week Kayaking 101 at Kellogg Creek at Lake Allatoona in 2024. Photo Credit: Mike Henry