Experience the beauty of Savannah and Skidaway Island...

Join us for a "Paddle Battle" for Fish Gotta Swim©, Wilderness Southeast (WiSE)'s hands-on, environmental education program for low-income, underserved youth in Savannah, Ga.  The race will be held at the Landings Harbor Marina on Skidaway Island, Georgia.  Just a 25-minute drive to historic Savannah, the Landings Harbor Marina offers stunning views of Georgia's coastal waterways.   Racers will have full access to top-notch facilities, and the views of Wassaw Sound and the Wilmington River can’t be beat.

SOUTHEAST PADDLE SPORTS SERIES (SEP SERIES) POINTS: 

We are a proud member of the SEP Series.   While our official race categories and age groups are slightly different, results are reorganized to support points accumulation for the race series. Information gathered during registration and on race day will be used to calculate the SEP Series-specific results after the event.  Click HERE to learn more about the SEP Series.

• Kayak Trophies for the top three in each division (age, gender and craft groupings)
• SEP Series Points for all 5K and 10k finishers
• Drinks and snacks available to all racers
• A signed waiver is required and is available online
• Coast Guard approved PFD and whistle required onboard craft for distance events

Post-Paddle Party on the Lawn:  

• Low-Country Boil
• Live Music with the Crabettes
• Tiki Hut Beverages
• Free T-shirt included with early registration (by September 19th)

Events Information: 

• 10 K Long Course - $50 (includes lunch and drinks)
• 5K Short Course - $50 (includes lunch and drinks)
• 1-Mile Fun Race - $50 (includes lunch and drinks)
• Event Ticket Only - $50 (includes lunch and drinks)

2024 BOAT/BOARD CATEGORIES:   

Awards will be based on the best times within the following combined craft categories:

- Surfski – combined HPK and FSK classes

- Kayak – combined SK and REC classes

- Canoe – C1 class

- SUP – combined 12’6”, 14’ and Unlimited classes

- Tandem – combined K2, C2 and OC2 classes

- SUP Multi-person – combined SUP2 and SUP4 classes

- Other – Prone and Pedal classes

2024 RACE DIVISIONS:

- 12 - 17 (Juniors)

- 18-49 (Open)

- 50-64 (Masters 1)

- 65-74 (Masters 2)

- 75-79 (Masters 3)

- 80+ (Masters 4)

Race Beneficiary:

All proceeds will go towards Fish Gotta Swim©, Wilderness Southeast (WiSE)'s hands-on, environmental education program for low-income, underserved youth in Savannah, Ga. 

 Donate to our Cause:

It only costs $50 for one child to participate in Fish Gotta Swim©.  Please DONATE HERE today!  **Did you know that, despite proximity to the Georgia Coast, approximately 65% of students served in the Fish Gotta Swim© program have never been to the beach or coastal wetlands?

EQUIPMENT: 

1. Platforms/Vessels:  Racers are to bring their own equipment.  However, limited equipment is available for rent from Southern Wild, LLC.  Please contact us at naturesavannah@gmail.com if you are interested in renting or being loaned equipment.  

2. Required Equipment:  Both state and federal regulations require that a Coast Guard approved personal flotation device in good condition and of appropriate size be accessible for each person onboard a recreational vessel, including canoes, kayaks, rowboats and other non-motorized craft. For this event, all racers must wear a CG approved floatation device. Safety is of utmost importance and these rules will be strictly enforced.  

3.  Comfort/Food/Beverages:  Participants are asked to bring lawn chairs if they wish to relax on the Landings Harbor Marina Lawn during the event.  Water, Gatorade, and Snacks will be available for participants.  

SAFETY POLICIES: 

1. Safety First:  Everyone on the water needs to look out for other participants.  If anything appears unsafe, or if someone is in trouble, please disregard the race and provide assistance.  Please seek the assistance of safety vessels along the route, if needed, by waving your paddle in the air.  Racers are encouraged to bring whistles for safety purposes.

2. Open Waterway:   Be advised that the Wilmington River is an open waterway, and other boaters and paddlers can move freely on the water during the race.   Boaters should be slowing down to prevent wake for paddlers (good boatmanship), however there is no guarantee.  Thus, paddlers should stay alert and aware of other boaters.

4. Physical Exertion:  Paddling can be a physically-demanding activity and everyone should paddle at a pace that is comfortable and sustainable.  All racers will be paddling at his/her own risk. If a racer is having any issues they should stop and request assistance if needed.

5. Accountability:  The Event Staff will not officially end the races until all racers report back in at the finish line.  Please do not depart the race course before the finish without notifying safety personnel on the route.

6. Inclement Weather:  The Event Staff will track weather conditions and the race is subject to cancellation/postponement if there are any concerns with weather conditions.  If weather forecasts indicate a need to postpone the event 24 hours in advance, the event coordinator will attempt to contact those who have registered via email and social media.

Awards will be handed out to the top three male and female finishers within each age group for single racer boat and SUP divisions.  The tandem boat categories are "open", meaning they are not age or gender-specific. 

**PFDs required. Leashes required for the long course, suggested for the short course (will be mandatory if winds pick up over 10mph). There are sharp oysters where we are paddling. We will make every effort to keep paddlers away from shallow areas. It is not a bad idea to wear water shoes for added protection. It is hot and humid in Georgia in September. Please train in these conditions and hydration packs are suggested for the longer courses**.