Lake Lanier Olympic Park

By Jane Harrison

The Lanier Canoe & Kayak Club can put a paddle in your hand and set you out on a relaxing 2-hour tour or launch you into an on-the-water adventure this summer at Lake Lanier Olympic Park. On May 29, the paddle club opens its recreational rental season, offering canoes, kayaks, stand up paddleboards, pedal boats, and dragon boats for walkups and reservation holders.

LCKC spokesperson Jim O’Dell said families and friend groups started making reservations for dragon boat rentals back in February. “We’ve had at least one reservation made nearly every week,” he said. The 10- and 20-person boats are a popular choice for family reunions and friendly celebrations. The boat party also gets an LCKC coach/steersperson. “This is only by reservation at least one week prior so we can get a coach lined up,” O’Dell said.

Although reservations are not required for the other watercraft, O’Dell recommends them to assure adventurers get the type of boat they want. “During those summer hours we have staff in the rental shack ready to assist those many, many walk-up adventurers showing up at the park. Reservations are nice as sometimes we can be nearly sold-out unless we hold some aside for those who previously reserved,” he said.

An LCKC staff member asks each visitor about their paddle experience and if they have loaded from a dock before. They then demonstrate how to enter and exit the boat safely. LCKC athletes also instruct paddlers how to use offset blades to maneuver their craft of choice and fit them in a personal flotation device.

O’Dell said a common question regarding canoes is if they can hold more than two people. Two adults and two children ages 10 and younger can sit in a canoe, with the adults on both ends and the children in the middle.

O’Dell expects a busy season, similar to last year when many city dwellers sought outdoor experiences during the coronavirus shutdown. “Last summer and into the autumn we had families coming from as far away as Macon to get on the water with several having their first time out of their homes since the pandemic hit. It was a real blessing to be able to offer that service for people to get out of the house in a safe, outdoor environment,” he said.

PHOTO BY ALAN HOPE Anyone can get on the water at Lake Lanier Olympic Park by renting a canoe or kayak.

Boats available: Single and double canoes and kayaks, stand up paddleboards, pedal boats and dragon boats. Rental dates/time: Beginning May 29: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sundays; by reservation on weekdays. Where: Lake Lake Lanier Olympic Park, 3105 Clarks Bridge Rd., Gainesville. Cost: Single kayaks, canoes, SUPs $20 first hour, $10 additional hours; double kayaks $30/$10; pedal boats $25 per hour; dragon boats 10-person, $180; 20-person $270 for 90 minutes. Reservations: Required for dragon boat rental. Four-hour to full-day rentals of other crafts are available by reservation at least 48 hours in advance. Reservations: info@lckc.org. Information: www.lckc.org, 770-287-7888.

Lake Lanier Canoe and Kayak Club

Contact: Jim O'Dell, program director Phone: 770-287-7888 Email: info@lckc.org Website: www.lckc.org Address: Lake Lanier Olympic Park 3105 Clarks Bridge Rd., Gainesville, GA 30506 Club offerings: Recreational and competitive canoe and kayaking for ages 9 and up. Beginner to masters programs offered through regularly scheduled practices, classes, and summer camps. Also hosts local, regional, national and international competitions and is the training center for Team USA Canoe, Kayak and Dragon Boat Racing. Calendar of events

May 15 - BRL Spring Fungatta May 21- Moonlight Paddle May 29 - General Public Weekend Rentals Open May 31-Aug. 2 - PaddleCamp Weeks Lake Lanier Rowing Club

Contact: April Blair Phone: 770-287-0077 Email: office@lakelanierrowing.org Address: Lake Lanier Olympic Park 3105 Clarks Bridge Rd., Gainesville, GA 30506 Website: www.LakeLanierRowing.org Club offerings: Recreational and competitive rowing for ages 13 to 80+. Beginner to elite offered through regularly scheduled practices, classes, and camps. Hosting of local, regional, national and international rowing regattas. Calendar of events:

May - August - Learn To Row Sessions May 4-22 - Learn to Row Session 1 Other LLOP Events

Saturdays - Sunrise Yoga May 14 - Food Truck Friday May 15 - Rubber Duck Derby May 22 - Lake Life Festival

Venue seats +/-2,000; parking capacity +/- 400 cars. The boathouse and tower are available to rent for meetings and special occasions. Due to the COVID19 pandemic, please contact clubs to make sure events are still scheduled.

By Jane Harrison

One Lanier Canoe & Kayak Club paddler is heading for the Tokyo Olympics July 23-Aug. 8, while others have a chance to make the Games.

Nevin Harrison, who relocated to Gainesville from Seattle last year to train with LCKC Head Coach/Team USA Coach Zsolt Szadovsky, had secured a spot for the Olympics last summer, but the Games were postponed until this year. The reigning World Champion in the one-woman canoe 200-meters race won the event in March at the American Canoe AsSee Olympics, page 17 N

Lake Lanier Olympic Park