Update 2022-11-09: Refuge fee tickets and start a hour earlier.
This is primitive, wilderness camping and paddling at its best.
To come on this outing be sure that you are comfortable paddling your loaded boat for 9 miles against a moderate current with only 1 stopping point to get out for a break. Minnie’s Lake platform is the 4 mile lunch stop, then 5 more miles to Floyd’s Island.
Yes, there will be alligators in the heart of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge.
Continue readingA dozen people, neighbors and new-found friends, paddled in the coral dusk to see bats fly and the Full Harvest Moon rise through clouds, at Banks Lake National Wildlife Refuge, our mini-Okefenokee west of Lakeland, Georgia.
![[Banners, boats, sunset, bats, moonrise, shore]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2022-09-10--full-harvest-moon-banks-lake-pictures/many.jpg)
Banners, boats, sunset, bats, moonrise, shore
Thanks to Elizabeth Brunner for leading this outing, and most of the other Full Moon paddles this summer. If you want to help organize WWALS outings, you can apply to join the Outings Committee.
The WWALS Water Quality Testing Committee was well-represented, with Elizabeth and Michael and Jacob Bachrach. Continue reading
New route: Roline Boat Ramp to Hunter Creek Launch, Suwannee River, Hamilton County, Florida. Join us for this sunny five-hour paddle on the world-famous Suwannee River, led by Practicing Geologist Dennis Price.
Dennis has moved us upstream, due to our previous put-in being closed due to high water. The new route goes by the lally column remains of Turner Bridge.
![[Roline to Hunter Creek, Suwannee River]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2022-09-17--roline-hunter-creek-suwannee/many.jpg)
Roline to Hunter Creek, Suwannee River
Four is enough for a fun Suwannee River paddle and portage around Big Shoals. Thanks to Bobby McKenzie for leading us.
![[Put In, Portage, Big Shoals, Bell Springs Run, Little Shoals, US 41]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2021-05-19--big-shoals-pictures/many.jpg)
Put In, Portage, Big Shoals, Bell Springs Run, Little Shoals, US 41
There are many more pictures on the WWALS website, with copies on facebook.
Dennis Price will lead us through the same stretch on Continue reading
The Eunice Foundation and Valdosta Aquatics are looking for kayak volunteers for the annual TCT7 Mile Swim.
As the swimmers race on Long Pond, here’s your role: “On water to help with water safety, hand out water and watch for course infractinos.”
This is not a WWALS event, but at least two WWALS kayakers have already signed up to help. You could join them to support this worthy event.
![[2018 TCT7 Gallery -- TCT7 Mile Swim]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2022-09-11--tct7-kayakers/DJI_0288.jpg)
2018 TCT7 Gallery — TCT7 Mile Swim
Sign Up: online
When: 7:00 AM to 11:30 AM, Sunday, September 11, 2022
Where: Lake Park 4H Camp, 6048 4-H Club Rd, Lake Park, GA 31636
Event: facebook
-jsq, John S. Quarterman, Suwannee RIVERKEEPER®
You can join this fun and work by becoming a WWALS member today!
https://wwals.net/donations/
Update 2022-09-20: Pictures: Banks Lake Full Harvest Moon 2022-09-10.
Leisurely Sunset and Full Moon Paddle. It’s a Saturday, and it should be cooler, so join us on our watery living room.
When: Gather 6:45 PM, launch 7:15 PM, moonrise 8:17 PM, sunset 7:44 PM, end 9 PM, Saturday, September 10, 2022
Put In: Banks Lake Boat Ramp, 307 Georgia 122, Lakeland, GA 31635, in Lanier County, on the Alapaha River Water Trail (ARWT).
Update 2022-09-06: Pictures: State Line to Turner Bridge, Suwannee River 2022-03-06.
The Georgia Environmental Protection Division wants evidence of intentional full-immersion swimming to redesignate river segments from Fishing to Recreational for tighter pollution limits. OK, here are some movies. Plus grandmas in a tree.
![[Movie: Full immersion swimming, 16:30:59, 30.6006764, -82.6839565 (161M)]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2022-03-05--fargo-downstream-suwannee-river/20220305_163101.jpg)
Movie: Full immersion swimming, 16:30:59, (161M)
30.6006764, -82.6839565
Here is a WWALS video playlist.
Intentional swimming, Suwannee River, Echols County, GA 2022-03-05
30.6006764, -82.6839565
Videos by John S. Quarterman for WWALS Watershed Coalition, Inc.
For more swimming, see the still pictures from the same stretch of the river.
For context, see the WWALS map of the Suwannee River Wilderness Trail. While the SRWT formally runs from White Springs, Florida, to the Gulf, WWALS maps the entire Suwannee River.
For more WWALS outings, see:
https://wwals.net/outings/
-jsq, John S. Quarterman, Suwannee RIVERKEEPER®
You can join this fun and work by becoming a WWALS member today!
https://wwals.net/donations/
Tickets are now available on eventbrite
for the WWALS Boomerang paddle race from Georgia into Florida and back
on the idyllic blackwater Withlacoochee River.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wwals-boomerang-2022-tickets-411307641227
That’s $20 online until October 15, 2022, then $30 online or at the event.
For everything else about this event, see:
https://wwals.net/pictures/2022-10-22–boomerang
-jsq, John S. Quarterman, Suwannee RIVERKEEPER®
You can join this fun and work by becoming a WWALS member today!
https://wwals.net/donations/
Update 2022-08-31: Tickets now available.
Hahira, GA, August 30, 2022 — Paddle down the Withlacoochee River from Georgia three miles into Florida, and back upstream, in the WWALS Boomerang! Canoes, kayaks, and paddle boards are welcome to register starting at 9 AM, Saturday, October 22, 2022, to be on the water by 10:45 AM. There will be prizes, and food, and drink.
“Bringing the outdoors community together and showcasing the recreational opportunities we have to offer locally, for the fifth year,” said Boomerang mastermind Bobby McKenzie. “You can blaze ahead and take first place overall, or push yourself for a personal achievement on the main course or one of the modified routes. Or just come do a leisurely paddle with like minded outdoor enthusiasts. Remember to make your way back within 2.5 hours.”
Tickets will be on sale soon,
$20 online until October 15, then $30 online or at the event.
For tickets and everything else, see:
https://wwals.net/pictures/2022-10-22–boomerang
State Line Boat Ramp is Continue reading
Update 2022-09-01: Videos: Intentional swimming, Suwannee River, Echols County, GA, 2022-03-05.
Swimming, tree climbing, lunching, and paddling on the first day of a Suwannee River camping trip.
Thanks to Shirley Kokidko for organizing, and to the landowners for permission to camp. Continue reading
![[Gator and kayak]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2022-11-19--floyds-island-camping-okefenokee/big/676x380.jpg)
![[Sunset and moonrise, 2020-10-01]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2022-09-10--banks-lake-full-harvest-moon/sunsetmoonrise.jpg)
![[Tickets]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2022-10-22--boomerang/2022-08-31--tickets.jpg)
![[Flyer]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2022-10-22--boomerang/WWALS-Boomerang-Flyer-2022-0001.jpg)
![[Paddling, Swimming, Camping]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2022-03-05--fargo-downstream-suwannee-river/many.jpg)