Now that you have become a new river rat we have to help you keep paddling.

First, remember that The Outside World in Dawsonville, http://www.theoutsideworld.net/outside/ has a great selection of boats and equipment and they do offer rentals. You can rent and try out different boats and they allow you to apply up to 3 rental fees to the purchase of your new boat. They also offer a 15% discount on all paddling accessories (boats have a different discount) and they have a great selection. So go see them, tell them I said hello. To get the discounts you must be a member of Atlanta Area Paddlers and you have to mention that when you pay!

As to groups to paddle with, here are a few that I like.

Atlanta Area Paddlers
http://www.meetup.com/atlantaareapaddlers/

Kayak Classes and Trips for Beginners, (hopefully more trips will be coming soon)
http://www.kayakclassesga.com

Cherokee County Social Adventures Group
http://www.meetup.com/The-Cherokee-County-Social-Adventures-Group/

Georgia Canoe Association
http://www.gapaddle.com/index.php

Upper Chattahoochee River Keepers
http://www.chattahoochee.org/

Coosa River Basin Initiative
http://www.coosa.org/

And for the ulitmate adventure every summer,
Paddle Georgia
http://www.garivers.org/paddle_georgia/pghome.html

That should be enough to get you all started, if not give me a call and we will do what it takes.

John Miller
[masked]