What we’re about
Paddling, hiking, painting, photographing our blackwater rivers, creeks, lakes, and swamps in central south Georgia and north Florida. Monthly outings, workshops, and other events in the Suwannee River Basin.
Upcoming events
4
First Day Paddle at Banks Lake
Banks lake National Wildlife Refuge, 307 Hwy 122 W, Lakeland, GA, USHappy New Year! Join us for our first paddle of 2026 on beautiful Banks Lake. We'll paddle the perimeter of the lake, which is approximately 4 miles around. Once we launch there will be no place to get out of your kayak until we return to the boat ramp. Dress accordingly for the weather, we will cancel if it's raining.
When: Gather 9:30 AM, launch 10:00 AM, end 12:00 PM.
Please follow Leave No Trace principles by packing out all trash, avoiding damage to vegetation, and respecting wildlife.
Safety: Be on time. If you miss the safety briefing, you cannot paddle with us. Each person in a boat, no matter how young or old, must wear a PFD. We strongly encourage you to have whistle on your PFD for safety.
Boats: Bring your own canoe or kayak.
Free: This outing is free to WWALS members, and $10 for non-members. Please prepay the $10 online: https://wwals.net/outings
Or bring cash to the outing. Credit card payments may or may not be available.
You can help with clean, swimmable, fishable, drinkable, water in the 10,000-square-mile Suwannee River Basin in Florida and Georgia by becoming a WWALS member today4 attendees
Full Wolf Moon Paddle
Banks Lake National Wildlife Refuge, 307 Highway 122 West, Lakeland, GA, USJoin us for the first Full Moon Paddle of 2026 on beautiful Banks Lake. Come paddle out to watch the sun set and the moon rise.
When: Gather 5:00 PM, launch 5:30 PM, moonrise 6:07 PM, sunset 5:55 PM, end 7:00 PM.
Please follow Leave No Trace principles by packing out all trash, avoiding damage to vegetation, and respecting wildlife.
Safety: Be on time. If you miss the safety briefing, you cannot paddle with us. Each person in a boat, no matter how young or old, must wear a PFD.
You must have a light for your boat or some type of light to have on yourself (glow sticks work well, or head lamp, flashlight, etc.) so other boaters can see you in the dark. It will be totally dark after sunset.
A whistle is not required, but it’s a good idea in the dark.
Boats: Bring your own canoe or kayak if you have it.
Thanks to Lanier County and Banks Lake Outdoors for free boat rental for these WWALS Full Moon Paddles.
To reserve a kayak or canoe, please use this eventbrite ticket:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/kayak-canoe-reservation-for-banks-lake-full-wolf-moon-tickets-1977415041620?aff=oddtdtcreator
Free: This outing is free to WWALS members, and $10 for non-members. Please prepay the $10 online: https://wwals.net/outings
Or bring cash to the outing. Credit card payments may or may not be available.
You can help with clean, swimmable, fishable, drinkable, water in the 10,000-square-mile Suwannee River Basin in Florida and Georgia by becoming a WWALS member today
Click here for more info about this outing.5 attendees
Ichetucknee Polar Plunge and Paddle to see SPZ
Ichetucknee Springs State Park, 12087 S.W. U.S. 27, White Springs, FL, USCome see what the Ichetucknee Springs Protection Zone (SPZ) is about. Swim in the head spring then join us for a leisurely paddle 4 miles downstream in crystal clear waters with the possibility of seeing manatee, several types of gar and bird species.
The Ichetucknee River is great paddling in the park. From there down to the Santa Fe River, power boats abound, producing wakes, endangering humans and wildlife, and eroding shorelines. The SPZ would require a No Wake Zone and maybe ban personal watercraft.
Take Out: TREPO Point Park
Please follow Leave No Trace principles by packing out all trash, avoiding damage to vegetation, and respecting wildlife.
Do not bring things prohibited by the park rules, such as glass containers, disposable containers, pets, tobacco or nicotine including vapes, radios, speakers, or loud music, water guns or blasters, or fishing gear.
Safety: Be on time. If you miss the safety briefing, you cannot paddle with us. Each person in a boat, no matter how young or old, must wear a PFD.
Free: This outing is free to WWALS members, and $10 for non-members. Please prepay the $10 online: https://wwals.net/outings. Or bring cash to the outing. Credit card payments may or may not be available. The park charges $6 per vehicle.
Duration: 5 hours
Paddle: 5 miles, 4 hours
Shuttle: 8 miles one way, 40 minutes round trip
You can help with clean, swimmable, fishable, drinkable, water in the 10,000-square-mile Suwannee River Basin in Florida and Georgia by becoming a WWALS member today!
Click here for lots more information about this outing.7 attendees
Hike to the site of Drew Mansion in Historic Ellaville
Ellavile, 596 NE Drew Way, Lee, FL, USCome along and hike to the ruins of Drew Mansion, walk across the Suwannee River on the Historic Hillman Bridge, visit Suwannacoochee Spring, and maybe hike up the trail along Withlacoochee River, too.
Since the Drew Mansion Burned down at about 6:30 PM on December 11, 1970, there’s not much to see at that site other than some remains of the foundations. But we will be among the few to see those.
Safety: Be on time. If you miss the safety briefing, you cannot hike with us. Follow Leave No Trace principles by packing out all trash, avoiding damage to vegetation, and respecting wildlife.
Free: This outing is free to WWALS members, and $10 for non-members. Please prepay the $10 online: https://wwals.net/outings. Or bring cash to the outing. Credit card payments may or may not be available.
You can help with clean, swimmable, fishable, drinkable, water in the 10,000-square-mile Suwannee River Basin in Florida and Georgia by becoming a WWALS member today
Click here to see pictures and read more about this outing.6 attendees
Past events
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