On Nov. 8-15, Florida’s premier canoe and kayak camping adventure will be held again on the Suwannee River and will feature a seven-day, 93-mile trip, starting at the Stephen Foster State Folk Culture Center in White Springs and ending up in Branford.
Along the way, an expected turnout of as many as 200 paddlers will have a chance to experience Florida’s only Class 3 whitewater rapids at Big Shoals State Park, just above White Springs, and enjoy the wildlife and scenery of some of the Suwannee River’s most pristine and picturesque section. The paddlers will average 13 miles per day and camp on the banks of Florida’s beautiful Suwannee River.
Paddle Florida II comes on the heels of a highly-successful inaugural event this past March, when around 160 participants canoed and kayaked 123 miles in seven days, starting at Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park and ending up at Manatee Springs State Park. The March event attracted enthusiasts from 16 different states and several journalists who chronicled the experience and the spectacular beauty.
Registration for the event is $250 for adults, $225 for senior citizens and students and $200 for children ages 8-17. A full meal plan is also available for participants. A four-day “Paddle Florida Lite” version of the trip on the Suwannee River is also available.
Paddle Florida is held in cooperation with the Florida Park Service and the Suwannee River Water Management District. These two organizations, through partnership with both the public and private sectors, have created the 171-mile Suwannee River Wilderness Trail. The Trail is a series of cabins, river camps and private hubs that, taken together, make the Suwannee River accessible to hikers, bikers, equestrian enthusiasts and other groups.
Additional information on Paddle Florida can be obtained by visiting www.paddleflorida.org for registration and journey details.
Local Sports
Paddle Florida returns in November
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VSU teams hosting summer camps
The national champion Valdosta State softball team will host two separate summer camps this summer, as well as weekly clinics throughout the summer.
The two summer camps will be held on June 11-13 and July 9-11 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The camps will cost $100 each. -
David Dean Youth Camp begins next week
The David Dean Youth Football Camp is quickly approaching.
The fourth annual camp will be held May 29-June 1 at the Athletic Fieldhouse off Mary Street. -
National champion head coach rewarded with new truck
National champion head coach rewarded with new truck Valdosta State head softball coach Thomas Macera was rewarded with a new Toyota Tacoma from Valdosta Toyota on Wednesday for his team’s 4-1 victory over the University of California-San Diego in the Division II Softball National Championship Game.
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Valwood’s Savino, Elliott named All-State soccer
Two Valwood boys’ soccer players have been named to the GISA Class AA All-State team.
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All-American again
Go ahead and add another award to resume of this year’s Valdosta State softball team.
Between conference player of the week awards, a national player of the week award, All-Conference and All-Region honors and four All-American awards, the national champion Blazers had plenty of individuals honored for performances throughout the season, which ultimately led to VSU’s first ever softball national title. -
Local area events coming soon
Several local area runs will take place in the coming weeks.
Monday, May 28, there will be a Memorial Day 5K, which will begin at 8 a.m. from the VECA School located on the corner of Azalea Drive and College Street. -
Tech bound
Donjahae Jones gets it done in the classroom and on the track.
One of the top students in her class, and one of the top track and field competitors in the state, Jones will be taking her talents to the Division I level after she signed a track and field scholarship with Georgia Tech on Tuesday. -
Blazers garner All-Region honors
Two Valdosta State baseball players have been named All-South Region while a third has garnered Academic All-Region, according to announcements made by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA), the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) and the Collegiate Sports Information Director's of America (CoSIDA) this week.
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Lowndes' Phelps named tennis Coach of the Year
Lowndes tennis coach Heath Phelps has been named the Region 1-AAAAA girls’ and boys’ tennis Coach of the Year, after he guided both teams to region championships.
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Wildcats close spring practice
VALDOSTA — The Valdosta Wildcats put their finishing touches on spring practice Saturday night with the playing of their annual spring game at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium.
No score was kept in the game, but the Wildcats did play best-on-best, pitting the starting offense against the starting defense. - More Local Sports Headlines
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VSU teams hosting summer camps
