Uptown Columbus, the nonprofit organization that coordinates economic revitalization initiatives throughout the Central Business District, Riverfront and throughout Uptown has officially selected two whitewater rafting outfitters to offer commercial trips on the Lower Chattahoochee. Whitewater Express will run trips from the Alabama side of the river in Phenix City, and the Nantahala Outdoor Center will operate on the Georgia side of the river in Columbus.
MWDG has been in touch with the owners of the respective outfitting companies, both extremely excited about the ‘new whitewater’ planned for this community.
Dan Gilbert, President of Whitewater Express, speaks to the renewal of whitewater adventure in the Southeast and the awareness of the project nationwide: “Having been involved in the preparation for the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, I have not since then seen the amount of excitement and anticipation surrounding any other project until the Chattahoochee River Park. Whether I am in West Virginia or Florida, conversation always comes back to the rapids being created in the Chattahoochee. The excitement has been generated by YouTube videos of Cut Bait Rapid, which at high levels is simply astounding for Southeastern whitewater! All eyes are now on the new wave being created next to Cut Bait. This is certainly the newest and best thing happening in whitewater in the country!”
Sutton Bacon, President and CEO of the Nantahala Outdoor Center sees great opportunity in its partnership with the community : “We are proud to be the official outfitter of Columbus, Georgia. The community support for this project is astonishing. The river’s unique urban environment will help introduce close-to-home whitewater recreation to new markets and demographics, and the river’s world-class rapids will be well-suited for a wide variety of river users from novices to thrill-seekers. We look forward to helping a great city connect with a great river.”
Congratulations, to both outfitting firms! Click here to read the email announcement from Uptown Columbus regarding the announcement.
