Sailing calendar

By Pamela A. Keene

As a graduate student at the University of Georgia, Jason Burton finally gave in to a friend who encouraged him to go kayaking on the Broad River in town. It changed his life.

“I grew up around the water –in fact loved the water – but kayaking didn’t interest me at all,” said the science teacher at Alpharetta High School. “But looking back on that first kayak paddle trip I can’t thank her enough for introducing me to the sport. After I went the first time, I was hooked.”

In early April, he and his wife Christine will open Burton Outdoor Adventures in Flowery Branch, to encourage people to paddle on and explore Lake Lanier. The business provides kayaks, paddle boards, life jackets, paddles and all the equipment. Shuttles leave every 30 minutes to launch at Old Federal Boat Launch, either dropping off passengers or bringing them back to the outfitter.

“What we offer is more than a rental service and shuttle,” said Burton, a certified kayak instructor through the American Canoe Association. “We want to introduce people to the fun of paddling and spending time outdoors, providing basic tips and instruction to make their time on the water safe and memorable.”

He also provides maps of suggested paddling destinations near the launch and places where the wake is usually minimal. “I like to send people to Daniel’s beach; you can’t get there by car, and it’s a really nice paddle.”

At full season from Memorial Day to early August, the business will be open seven days a week. He plans to have between 16 and 20 employees. He has purchased brand-new equipment, including See Paddle, page 54

PHOTO COURTESY OF BURTON OUTDOOR ADVENTURES Burton Outdoor Adventures customers paddle the south end of Lake Lanier.

Club Event Date Club Event Date Club Event Date

APRIL 2021

BFSC BFSC Spring #2 4/3/2021 LLSC Thursday Porsmouth #1 4/8/2021 BFSC BFSC Spring #3 4/10/2021 UYC UYC Winter #6 4/11/2021 LLSC Wednesday Night series 1 - #1 4/14/2021 LLSC PHRF Championship Race #1 4/17/2021 UYC UYC Winter 7 4/18/2021 LLSC Wednesday 1 - #2 4/21/2021 LLSC Thursday Porsmouth #2 4/22/2021 BFSC Around Alone 4/24/2021 LLSC MC Rebel Rouser Regatta 4/24/2021 SSC Masters (Skippers over 50) 4/25/2021 LLSC Wednesday 1 - #3 4/28/2021

MAY 2021

BFSC BFSC Spring #4

5/2/2021 LLSC Wednesday 1 - #4 5/5/2021 LLSC Thursday Porsmouth #3 5/6/2021 LLSC LLSC Boat Show 5/8/2021 BFSC BFSC Spring #5 5/8/2021 LLSC Wednesday 1- #5 5/12/2021 BFSC J Holcomb Women’s Regatta 5/15/2021 LLSC Melges 24 SE Inland Regatta 5/15/2021 LLSC Wednesday 1 - #6 5/19/2021 LARC Moonlight Race #1 5/22/2021 BFSC BFSC Spring #6 5/23/2021 LLSC Wednesday 1 - #7 5/26/2021

JUNE 2021

LLSC LLSC Junior Week #1 - (Tues-Fri) 6/1/2021 LLSC Wednesday 1 - #8 6/2/2021 LLSC Thursday Porsmouth #5 6/3/2021 LLSC Reggae Open Regatta 6/5/2021 LLSC LLSC Junior Week #2 - (Sun-Fri) 6/6/2021 UYC UYC Junior Week #1 - (Sun-Fri) 6/6/2021 LLSC Wednesday 1 - #9 6/9/2021 LLSC PHRF Championship #2 6/12/2021 UYC UYC Junior Week #2 - (Sun-Fri) 6/13/2021 LLSC LLSC Jr Adventure Wk - (M-F) 6/14/2021 LLSC Wednesday 1 - #10 6/16/2021 LLSC Thursday Porsmouth #6 6/17/2021 LARC Mooonlight Race #2 6/19/2021 LLSC Double Dog Dare Wet Trailer Bts 6/19/2021 LLSC Wednesday Series 2 - #1 6/23/2021 BFSC BFSC Spring 7 6/26/2021 LLSC Firecracker Cup 6/26/2021 LLSC Wednesday 2 - #2 6/30/2021

JULY 2021

LLSC Thursday Porsmouth #7 7/1/2021 BFSC BFSC Spring 8 7/10/2021 LLSC Wednesday 2 - #3 7/14/2021 LLSC Thursday Porsmouth #8 7/15/2021 LARC Moonlight Race #3 7/17/2021 LLSC Wednesday 2 - #4 7/21/2021 LLSC Wednesday 2 - #5 7/28/2021 LLSC Thursday Porsmouth #9 7/29/2021

AUGUST 2021

LLSC Wednesday 2 - #6

8/4/2021 LLSC Wednesday 2 - #7 8/11/2021 LLSC Thursday Porsmouth #10 8/12/2021 BFSC BFSC Fall 1 8/14/2021 LLSC Double Dog Dare Rack Boats 8/15/2021 LLSC Wednesday 2 - #8 8/18/2021 LARC Moonlight Race #4 8/21/2021 LLSC Wednesday 2 - #9 8/25/2021

SEPTEMBER 2021

LLSC Wednesday 2 - #10 9/1/2021 BFSC BFSC Fall 2 9/4/2021 LLSC Vern Pickering Comm Cup 9/4/2021 LLSC Wednesday Awards Party 9/8/2021 BFSC BFSC - Fall 3 9/11/2021 LLSC Old Goat - Thistle Regatta 9/11/2021 UYC UYC Fall 1 9/11/2021 LARC Fall #1 - SSC Hosts /BFSC Fall 4 9/12/2021 UYC UYC "A Day at the Lake" event 9/12/2021 LLSC Wed Encore #1 9/15/2021 LLSC C22 "Gone with the Wind" 9/18/2021 UYC UYC Fall 2 9/19/2021 LLSC Wed Encore #2 9/22/2021 LLSC Flying Scot / Lightning Regatta 9/25/2021 LARC Fall #2-BFSC hosts/BFSC Fall 5 9/26/2021 LLSC Wed Encore #3 9/29/2021

OCTOBER 2021

BFSC Barefoot Open registration 10/1/2021 BFSC Barefoot Open 10/2/2021 LLSC Laser/MC/M 14 Regatta 10/2/202 LLSC Wed Encore #4 10/6/2021 LLSC MC Masters National 10/9/2021 UYC UYC Fall 3 10/9/2021 LLSC Wed Encore #5 10/13/2021 LLSC Sailboard Regatta 10/16/2021 LARC Fall #3 - BFSC Fall 6/ UYC Fall 4 10/17/2021 LLSC Encore Awards Party 10/20/2021 LLSC PHRF Championship #3 10/23/2021 LLSC Ga Tech Regatta 10/24/2021 UYC UYC Fall 4 10/24/2021 LLSC Jr. Commodore's Cup 10/30/2021 LLSC Halloween Regatta/ Ms Piggy J24 10/30/2021

NOVEMBER 2021

LLSC Small Boat Long Distance 11/6/2021 UYC Lanier Cup 11/6/2021 UYC UYC Fall 5 11/7/2021 LARC Fall #4 -LLSC Host 11/13/2021 BFSC Dorton Cup 11/14/2021 LLSC Multihull Regatta 11/20/2021 LLSC No More Leftovers 11/27/2021

DECEMBER 2021

LLSC Pig & Rum Thistles 12/4/2021 LLSC SAISA North Point HS Regatta 12/4/2021 UYC UYC Fall 6 12/4/2021

For more information, visit our sailing calendar at www.lakesidenews.com LARC - Lanier Auxiliary Racing Committee • BFSC - Barefoot Sailing Club • LLSC - Lake Lanier Sailing Club • UYC - University Yacht Club